All success stories

Amazon

Amazon EU Builds Bonds Over Thai Cooking

How a senior leadership team traded spreadsheets for curry paste and reconnected over a hands-on Thai feast in Luxembourg.

C

ChefPassport

2025 · 3 min read

🍽️Thai Cooking📍In-Person · Luxembourg👥12 people🏭Technology
Share:
Amazon EU Builds Bonds Over Thai Cooking

When Paulina Raponi, Executive Assistant to Amazon's VP of EU Prime & Marketing, went looking for a team experience that felt different, she found ChefPassport. On 17 June 2025, twelve members of Amazon EU's senior leadership team gathered at Kachatelier studio in Windhof for an evening of corporate cooking class team building focused on Thai cuisine. Led by Chef Corrie, the group prepared a full Thai feast—complete with curry and pineapple—from scratch.

Amazon EU Builds Bonds Over Thai Cooking

Results at a glance

  • 12 Amazon EU leadership team members cooked together in person at Kachatelier studio, Windhof
  • Thai menu featuring curry and pineapple, with a gluten-free option for one attendee
  • Personalised branded aprons—white with the Amazon logo and each participant's name—created for every guest
  • Led by Chef Corrie with support from the ChefPassport team
Amazon EU Builds Bonds Over Thai Cooking

Why Amazon's leadership team wanted something hands-on

Paulina initially enquired about a traditional Luxembourgish cooking class. But after a conversation with the ChefPassport team, she pivoted completely—choosing instead an evening centred on the bold, fresh flavours of Thailand. The event was organised for Tim Castree's team, and the VP himself signed the contract and joined his colleagues in the kitchen. It was a small signal that this wasn't a tick-box activity. It mattered.

Amazon EU Builds Bonds Over Thai Cooking

What ChefPassport created: a Thai feast built from scratch

Each guest arrived to find their own personalised apron waiting: white, embroidered with the Amazon logo and their name. Chef Corrie guided the group through every step—pounding aromatics in mortars, balancing sweet and savoury in the curry, working with pineapple. One team member needed gluten-free, and the menu adapted without fuss. The studio smelled of lemongrass, lime leaf, and chilli. Ingredients were prepped and ready; the flow was clear. All twelve participants cooked, tasted, adjusted, and plated together.

What the team valued: connection, not just cooking

The evening wasn't about perfecting technique. It was about senior leaders stepping out of their usual roles, laughing over a mortar and pestle, and sharing a meal they'd made as a team. The energy in the room shifted from polite and professional to warm and collaborative. By the time everyone sat down to eat, the conversation flowed as easily as the food. ChefPassport handled every detail—venue, chef, ingredients, dietary needs, branded aprons, and post-event follow-up—so Paulina could be present, not managing logistics.

If your leadership team needs a break from the usual offsite format, a culinary team-building experience in Luxembourg offers something tangible: a shared challenge, real skills, and a meal worth remembering. ALDI Luxembourg and the European Central Bank have also chosen ChefPassport to bring their teams together over food.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Thai cooking class suitable for a senior leadership team?

Absolutely. Amazon EU's VP-level team chose Thai cuisine for its balance of challenge and accessibility. The menu adapts to all skill levels, dietary needs (including gluten-free), and offers a hands-on format that encourages collaboration without requiring prior cooking experience.

How much work does the organiser need to do?

Very little. ChefPassport handled the venue (Kachatelier studio in Windhof), chef, ingredients, dietary accommodations, and even personalised branded aprons for Amazon's team. The EA coordinated dates and签约, but all logistics, setup, and follow-up were managed end-to-end by ChefPassport.

Can you accommodate dietary requirements for in-person cooking classes?

Yes. For Amazon's event, one team member required gluten-free options, which were integrated into the Thai menu without disrupting the group experience. ChefPassport builds dietary needs into the planning from the start.

What happens during a corporate cooking class in Luxembourg?

Guests arrive to a fully prepped kitchen with personalised aprons and ingredients ready. The chef leads the group through each dish step-by-step—techniques, flavours, plating. Everyone cooks, tastes, and adjusts together. The session ends with the team sharing the meal they've prepared, typically lasting 2–3 hours depending on the menu.

Ready to write your own story?

Join Amazon and 200+ companies that chose ChefPassport for their most memorable team events.