Mood-Boosting Cookery Class Wards Off January Blues
Venturi’s Table Launches Mood-Boosting Cookery Class to Help Ward Off Office January Blues
Returning to the office after the Christmas and New Year break is probably the most depressing period of the year for the UK workforce. Summer seems miles away and there are no expensive looking presents under the tree or office parties to take the sting out of dragging yourself out of bed into a cold, dark commute. Employers are also likely to feel the strain of their staffs’ ‘January blues’ with a dispirited team more likely to be both unproductive and uninspired. To help lift employees’ spirits, Venturi’s Table Corporate Cookery Centre, has launched a unique ‘mood boost’ menu which companies can cook from up until March 2008. This unique new menu has been designed to incorporate the following nutrients and minerals, all needed to help induce positive emotions, energy and boost performance:
- Slow release carbohydrates
- Amino acids such as tryptophan and tyrosine
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Vitamins such as the important B group (folate, VB12 and VB6)
- Minerals such as iron, magnesium and selenium
Each combination of courses on the ‘Mood Boost’ menu will provide a generous dose of these nutritional weapons against the ‘January blues’ such as the following menu option for corporate cooks:
- Starter: Pasta cooked al dente (low GI) with walnut pesto (vitamin B6 and omega 3), garlic and olive oil
- Main course: Baked salmon fillet (vitamin B12, B6, iron, selenium, omega 3, tryptophan and tyrosine) served with a spinach terrine (folate) and lentils (low GI, vitamin B6 and folate rich)
- Dessert: Pecan (tryptophan) and chocolate brownies (magnesium and tyrosine)
Aside from their menu’s mood enhancing vitamins, minerals and nutrients corporate cooks will also receive a rush of endorphins as they enjoy mouthfuls of their gourmet three course meal! At the end of the experience employees will be able to take home a selection of feel-good recipe ideas to help keep them upbeat until Spring. Venturi’s Table will be running its Mood Boost menu from January until March 2008. To book companies should call 020 8875 7488 or visit www.venturis-table.com for more information.
Jane Freeman, Harley Street registered dietitian and nutritionist commented; “It is widely understood that the nutrients in a good, balanced diet are beneficial for our health but boosting our intake of certain foods can also play a part in helping us to feel better- even in the month of January! The Mood Boost menu is also nicely balanced, combining ingredients which are extremely nourishing as well as a few delicious desserts. It is important to remember that the occasional indulgent treat is a part of healthy eating and can provide an emotional and hedonistic experience as well.”
Anna Venturi, Managing Director of Venturi’s Table Corporate Cookery Centre added; “When businesspeople come to our centre it is clear how therapeutic cooking and eating delicious food together can be. We wanted to take this one step further and use foods particularly known to help trigger positive responses in our brains. These ‘super’ ingredients such as green leafy vegetables, nuts and fish can taste delicious and become part of a satisfying meal if you understand how best to cook with them. Once employees cook with us we hope they will feel more able to incorporate these ingredients into their daily diets.”
Alongside providing the culinary ammunition to keep employees going through their festive credit card repayments and challenging New Year’s resolutions, a Venturi’s Table cookery class will also help staff to bond as a team. Cooking in kitchens custom-built to evoke the feelings of a family home, employees will find themselves in an environment within which they can relax and share their worries or concerns. They will also be invited to sit down around a table and enjoy their delicious creations together- an effective way to nourish relationships and foster a united team spirit.
This Latest News article was created on 9th January 2008