Santa Brígida, Gran Canaria, July 12, 2024 In a unique blend of culinary arts and professional development, the EXPER project, “Excellent Peripheries for a Strong European Research Area,” hosted a dynamic team-building cooking workshop. This engaging event, held in Santa Brígida, was a cornerstone activity of Task 3.2 of Work Package 3 (WP3) aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation among participants from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the University of Azores (UAc), and their European partners.
The EXPER Project
Coordinated by ULPGC, the EXPER project seeks to enhance research and innovation capacities within the EU’s outermost regions. It includes 10 partners from the Azores and Canary Islands, renowned European universities like the University of Calabria (UNICAL) in Italy and the University of Rostock (UROS) in Germany, and key knowledge transfer and innovation players, including science and technology parks and consultancy firms. WP3 specifically focuses on attracting and retaining talent at ULPGC and UAc by improving working conditions and mitigating talent drain.
Task 3.2 and the CLAB Programme
The team-building cooking workshop is part of Task 3.2, strategically placed just before the “Academy phase” of the CLAB (Contamination Laboratory) program. The CLAB initiative promotes entrepreneurship and innovation among students, graduates, and researchers by fostering the development of knowledge-based business ideas and enhancing cross-functional skills.
The Workshop: A Fusion of Cooking and Collaboration
The workshop brought together personnel from ULPGC, the University of Calabria (UNICAL), and partners from the EXPER project, including EMERGE and Consulta Europa. The event aimed to create a vibrant environment where participants could bond and develop essential team skills through the art of cooking. Mentors Alice Gervasoni (EMERGE), Andrea Simeri (UNICAL), and Francisco Javier Gutiérrez (ULPGC) led the activity, ensuring a cohesive and enriching experience.
Participants also had the opportunity to connect with prominent ULPGC figures, such as María José Miranda, Director of Scientific Infrastructure and Business Relations, and Juan Alberto Corbera, Director of Human Resources for Research.
Culinary expertise meets team building.
The cooking session was conducted by Andrés Rodríguez Díaz, an entrepreneurial chef and owner of Échale Mojo Gastronomía & Eventos. With qualifications in Culinary and Restaurant Management as well as a Master’s in Teaching, Rodríguez Díaz skillfully guided participants through the culinary challenge, emphasising teamwork, communication, and creativity.
Motivation and Outcomes
The workshop’s primary goal was to leverage culinary activities to foster team bonding and cross-skill development. Working together in a high-pressure kitchen scenario allowed participants to:
- Develop teamwork and communication skills.
- Enhance problem-solving abilities.
- Foster creativity and innovation in a collaborative environment.
- Manage multiple tasks through effective delegation.
- Develop leadership qualities.
A Successful Recipe for Collaboration
Supported by the Cámara de Comercio de Gran Canaria and Gran Canaria Me Gusta, the event was a resounding success, highlighting the importance of experiential learning in professional development. The cooking workshop not only strengthened bonds among the CLAB members but also provided a platform for future collaboration and innovation, embodying the spirit of the EXPER project.
As the participants move forward into the CLAB programme’s academy phase, the skills and connections forged in the kitchen will undoubtedly serve as a strong foundation for their entrepreneurial and research endeavours, driving economic and social transformation in their regions.
