CBTB Offsite - Culinary Tour of Italy

Merrill Lynch – Manhattan East
Highest Performers Recognition Event
Stephen & Leslie Pryor

Director Stephen Pryor and his wife Leslie attended a Culinary TeamBuilder at Cooking by the Book in early 2007 as part of a Merrill Lynch regional group of managers and spouses. They enjoyed the experience immensely, so when they were looking for a fresh idea to celebrate the successes of the top brokers in his complex, they decided to give Cooking by the Book a call.

“Food and wine are such timely, trendy topics,” Leslie says, “and we thought our group would enjoy something other than another hotel banquet.” The Pryors had hoped to return to Cooking by the Book’s loft, but since their group exceeded 40, a larger venue was needed. Room Studio on West Broadway was nearby, and was accessible and sufficiently spacious.

In order to offer the hands on cooking experience to a group of more than 40, Suzi and her staff created a special new program - A Culinary Tour of Italy, which is a three ring interactive tasting, cooking and dining experience. It was an excellent format for the Merrill Lynch group of 50.

The large group divided into three smaller teams and everyone received a personalized apron. Wine and other beverages were poured and hors d’oeurves passed. Then the fun began when one group went to a seated antipasto ingredient tasting, a second worked with culinary advisors in teams of five to make pasta sauces and entrees on table top burners, and the third enjoyed a guided wine tasting.

After about 90 minutes, when everyone had completed every activity, dinner was served, including the food they had prepared.

Both Stephen and Leslie received very positive feedback from all in attendance. The interaction was fun; the learning about olive oil, cheeses and antipasti, as well as the wine information, was very interesting and instructive.

“We’ll definitely return to Cooking by the Book,” said Leslie with a smile.