Business Details
27 Years
experience
Team Building Cooking Events in San Francisco
Founded in 1999, Parties That Cook has established itself as a premier provider of hands-on corporate team building events and private cooking parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago. Our mobile culinary experiences are designed to foster teamwork, camaraderie, and collaboration, offering interactive cooking events that cater to groups of 15 - 350 guests. With over two decades of experience, our expert chefs and dedicated event planners deliver meticulously organized activities that enhance communication, productivity, and employee retention.Our values of excellence, creativity, integrity, and empowerment guide every event, ensuring unforgettable experiences that go beyond traditional team-building exercises. We specialize in creating dynamic environments where teams bond through the shared joy of cooking, making us a trusted partner for companies seeking innovative and engaging activities. Our mission is to inspire connection through the collaborative creation of meals, transforming kitchens into spaces where relationships flourish and professional teams grow stronger.
Services
Kitchen Challenge
Sushi Showdown
Pasta Wars
Chef's Table
Small Plates Challenge
Private Cooking Parties
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We offer over 20 years of expertise in culinary team-building events.
- Our mobile services accommodate groups of 15350 across diverse venues.
- We provide expert chefs who guide engaging, interactive cooking experiences.
- Our events are proven to enhance teamwork and employee retention.
- We customize event formats to match your teams goals and size.
What people say
Rave reviews
Best team building event
Delicious food
Great teamwork
Highly recommend
Services
Kitchen Challenge
Teams face off in a timed cooking battle using three basic ingredients to create innovative dishes. This Iron Chef-style event promotes creativity, collaboration, and friendly competition. Ideal for groups seeking dynamic, interactive team-building experiences that emphasize problem-solving and communication.
Sushi Showdown
Participants learn sushi-making techniques in a competitive, timed format. Small teams craft sushi masterpieces while mastering knife skills and presentation. This event combines culinary education with teamwork, perfect for groups looking to bond through precision and creativity in a high-energy environment.
Chef's Table
Guests collaborate to prepare a multi-course meal, culminating in a shared dining experience. Teams work on individual courses before coming together to enjoy their collective efforts. This format encourages coordination and celebrates culinary achievement in an elegant, restaurant-style setting.
Small Plates Challenge
Teams create international appetizers in a reception-style cooking competition. This fast-paced event focuses on flavor, presentation, and teamwork. Its ideal for casual networking and fostering collaboration in a lively, interactive atmosphere.
Private Cooking Parties
Tailored cooking experiences for birthdays, holidays, or celebrations. Our chefs guide guests through recipes while ensuring a fun, stress-free environment. These events blend entertainment and education, making them perfect for social gatherings that prioritize connection and culinary exploration.
Questions
What areas do you serve for team-building events?
We serve the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago, with mobile services adaptable to various venues.
What group sizes can you accommodate?
Our events cater to groups of 15–350 guests, with customizable formats for any team size.
Can events be tailored to dietary restrictions?
Yes, our chefs accommodate dietary needs, ensuring all participants enjoy the cooking experience.
How do I start planning an event?
Contact our team via phone or email to discuss your goals, and we’ll create a personalized proposal.
What types of cooking events do you offer?
We offer competitive cooking challenges, seated dining experiences, and reception-style appetizer events.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Jordan H.
Jan 10, 2020
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Ilene was great to work with. Due to unfortunate circumstances on my side, I wasn't able to book an event but want to commend Ilene for her voracious help in trying to squeeze my group into an event, the same week. She did everything she could to make something work but it fell through, not for any fault of hers. I'll be looking to book an event with her in the near future and look forward to working with Ilene+crew again. As far as customer service, speed, and making their customers feel valued, Ilene and Parties That Cook are all-stars. 5/5
Jad A.
Dec 04, 2019
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To be honest, I expected a little better out of the full event. The Good: The recipes were easy and the food was good. There was enough space to go around and not be cramped (16 people on our team). They allow us to bring our own wine bottles. The Bad: The main chef was not very friendly. She was snappy, and sometimes upset when you ask her questions. She almost seemed like she did not want to talk to people or almost talking down to them.
The other staff members were really nice. Out of 6+ ovens they had. Only 2 were working and NOT working properly. This is a cooking event space, and if there are no functional ovens, I think it defeats the purpose. In addition, most the knives were dull and barely cut well. You get to cook one of the 4 or 5 dishes. I would highly recommend you rotate the stations, and everyone learns a little more hands on.
Way too much teaching compared to doing. Some might enjoy the simplicity, but for a high ticket price, I would expect more. I would say if they fixed the oven problem, and became a little more hospitable, then it would be an easy 5 star place.
The other staff members were really nice. Out of 6+ ovens they had. Only 2 were working and NOT working properly. This is a cooking event space, and if there are no functional ovens, I think it defeats the purpose. In addition, most the knives were dull and barely cut well. You get to cook one of the 4 or 5 dishes. I would highly recommend you rotate the stations, and everyone learns a little more hands on.
Way too much teaching compared to doing. Some might enjoy the simplicity, but for a high ticket price, I would expect more. I would say if they fixed the oven problem, and became a little more hospitable, then it would be an easy 5 star place.
Ali B.
Aug 03, 2019
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Amazing experience at Parties That Cook. We hosted a group for a client outing and they loved it. You can BYOB and they provide glasses and an rustic bucket to display the alcohol. The instructor was incredibly nice and helpful. Not only was the food delicious but the instructor taught us different tips in the kitchen such as knife skills and frying.
Ant C.
Feb 13, 2019
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Had an incredible time with Parties That Cook in Berkeley! Chef Nicole and team were great, everything was well organized, and the food was delicious. This was a great team-building event for our company, and I would recommend Parties That Cook to anyone looking for a team event with a great atmosphere and wonderful chef.
Jeanette Jane G.
Oct 02, 2018
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My team and I had a fantastic time with Parties That Cook! They hosted ~40 of us at the Ferry Building in SF and they made this experience far better than I had hoped for because their communication was flawless and the chefs were patient with all of us. The recipes offered/ selected were the right level of intermediate for a group of diverse cooking experience. Not only did the food turn out edible, it was delicious! We can't stop talking about all the fun we had here and I look forward to my next team event with Parties That Cook!
