City of Manchester Stadium staff in cook off challenge

In a team building challenge, the 20 staff were divided into four teams – Broccoli, Red Apples, Tomatoes and Oranges – and sent to the Stadium's Boardroom kitchens with a bag of secret ingredients, from which they had to create a two course meal. City's consultant executive chef, John Benson-Smith, gave the staff a demonstration of everything from preparing the vegetables, jointing a whole chicken to cooking a sea bass, together with essential health and safety pointers. City chef and former BBC Masterchef judge, John Benson-Smith was quick to see who had delivered his brief of a 'clean and well put together dish, using seasonal produce'. In true TV fashion he 'cogitated and deliberated', before announcing Team Broccoli as the evening's winners. First prize on the night went to Team Broccoli, who served up a main course of sea bass served on a bed of fresh asparagus and mash, accompanied by a lemon and dill sauce. They were praised for their well presented meal, which was 'simple' and 'streamlined'. Their dessert, an Eton Mess, received compliments for its 'fresh and fruity flavours'. The losers on the evening received a wooden spoon with a large 'L' imprinted on it and were encouraged to try harder next time. David Chell, head of sales at the City of Manchester Stadium who devised the teambuilding exercise said: "Whilst this exercise was a bit of fun, it does highlight the importance of leadership, motivation and communication within a pressurised environment."