A letter of reference from Somerset Hills Learning Institute to Kaplan International: We held a team building experience with Marla at the Short Hills Cook Ease location in late August. Approximately 30 teaching and support staff members came together to enjoy each other company, work as a team, and participate in a bit of healthy competition. It was a wonderful event – so much fun while also collaborating as a team! Marla split the group into two teams. Within each of the two teams, we had 4 groups (I.e., one group worked on the appetizer, one on the first course, main course, and one on the side dish.) For the groupings we tailored them so that folks who don’t normally work together had the opportunity to do so. This helped our staff get to know each other more broadly and across departments. Then, each set of groups from the two teams competed against each other for the best rendition of the dish (e.g. Appetizer vs. appetizer). While each group cooked, the others on the team cheered the group on and/or heckled the opposing team — great fun! At the end, we presented each dish to the judges and enjoyed the meal together. (Just a side note, my team’s appetizer won!) Speaking as someone with only the most horrific set of cooking skills, I found the class instructive and very enjoyable. Although I went into the experience thinking it might be overwhelming, it was not. In fact, it was great to be supported in my skill development by my more skillful colleagues. Overall, it was a terrific experience and it brought us closer as a team to share in it. Please call me with any questions or to discuss Cook Ease further. All the best,