On Friday 6 November 2026, the Luxembourg team of Novo Banco reported for what they believed was an anti-money-laundering training—at the dry cleaner inside the Cactus shopping centre in Windhof. Some were suspicious. Their General Manager, Duarte Rosado, had kept the location secret all week. "The laundry is downstairs, let's go down," he said in the car park. Then they saw the ChefPassport logo at the entrance. No compliance course. A kitchen, a chef, and white aprons embroidered with their own bank's logo waiting for fifteen colleagues ready for a morning of team building Luxembourg style.
Results at a glance
15 participants from Novo Banco Luxembourg cooked an Indian menu with Chef Corrie at Kochatelier, Windhof
92% felt closer to their colleagues; 92% would recommend the experience (post-event survey, 9–11 November 2026)
Personalised Novo Banco aprons, professional photo and video, plus vegetarian, lactose-free and gluten-free station so everyone ate what they made
"It was really worth it. I would really recommend it. It was really nice, and it's something we would repeat for sure." — Duarte Rosado, General Manager
The team kept the day going on their own: coffee nearby, then an afternoon in a cocktail bar
"Everybody told me the same thing afterwards, and it is the feedback I find most important: it's really nice to spend the day like this, without the work dynamic."
How the cover story was born
"People kept telling me: you need to tell us where it is," Duarte explained. "I was checking the address and saw there were stores in Cactus. Then I saw the dry cleaner and thought, okay, this is going to be the joke."
He kept it under wraps until the last moment. By the time the team arrived at the shopping centre in Windhof—fifteen minutes from Luxembourg city centre toward the Belgian border—some had spent the week investigating what could possibly happen in that corner of the country. The truth was waiting one floor down: breakfast, a fully equipped cooking studio, and an Indian menu led by Chef Corrie.
What happened in the kitchen
The morning began at 9:00 with a breakfast welcome at Kochatelier, the modern cooking studio inside Cactus headquarters. White aprons, personalised with the Novo Banco logo, were theirs to keep. One station cooked vegetarian, lactose-free and gluten-free so everyone could eat what they made together.
Nobody was assigned to a group. People chose their own stations. "They were all having fun," Duarte said, "so I thought: I'm not going to move anything, just let them be."
A professional photographer and videographer captured the morning. By 10:30 lunch was on the table—fast, because the energy in the room was high. Several participants said they wanted it to last longer. Duarte's take: "If it had been a boring activity, people would have said it's good that it's fast. It means people were enjoying it."
Why this kind of corporate cooking class matters for established teams
This wasn't a new team learning each other's names. Novo Banco Luxembourg is an established group that already knows one another well. The value wasn't introductions, it was slowing down together, away from the usual rhythm of the office.
"It's really nice to spend the day like this, without the work dynamic," Duarte said. That feedback came up again and again in the post-event survey. The average rating was 4.4 out of 5. When asked what they valued most, participants named cooking together and time with colleagues. "Cooking together, building stronger teams," wrote Joao. "Lots of laughs and a great time. Definitely something to do again!" said another.
One participant summed it up: "Best dish I've ever cooked! It turned out great and was packed with flavor!" Another, in French: "C'est toujours un moment si spécial et tellement agréable !"
What a team day in Luxembourg looks like with ChefPassport
From the moment Duarte confirmed the date, ChefPassport handled the rest: the venue at Kochatelier in Windhof (with ample on-site parking for individual cars or minibus), the Indian menu and ingredients, dietary accommodations, the aprons, the chef, the photographer and videographer, the event flow, and the post-event follow-up.
For teams driving individually, we recommend a no-alcohol policy or mocktails and soft options alongside any wine or cocktail add-ons. If you'd like help arranging a minibus for the team, we're happy to assist.
The result was a seamless morning that let participants focus on cooking, laughing, and being together—no logistical weight on the organiser, no compliance training in sight.
Planning your own cooking team building in Luxembourg?
Cover story optional. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, reconnecting an established team, or simply looking for a Friday that feels different, ChefPassport creates relaxed, hosted corporate cooking experiences in Luxembourg that your colleagues will actually remember. Teams from banks, tech companies and international organisations have cooked Indian, Thai, Italian and local Luxembourg menus at Kochatelier—handling dietary needs, branded aprons, photo and video, and every detail in between. Get in touch to start planning yours.
Frequently asked questions
Is a corporate cooking class in Luxembourg suitable for teams that already know each other well?
Absolutely. Many of our Luxembourg clients—like Novo Banco, Advanzia Bank and ALDI—book cooking experiences not for introductions but to give established teams space to slow down, collaborate and enjoy time together outside the usual work dynamic. It's less about icebreakers and more about shared energy, laughter and a meal everyone helped create.
Can you accommodate dietary requirements for a cooking team building activity in Windhof?
Yes. For the Novo Banco event, we ran a dedicated vegetarian, lactose-free and gluten-free station so everyone could eat what they made. We adapt every menu to your team's dietary needs—vegan, halal, allergies, intolerances—and confirm details in advance so no one is left out.
How much work does the organiser need to do for a team building event in Luxembourg?
Very little. ChefPassport handles the venue booking, chef, ingredients, dietary planning, event flow, branded aprons (if you want them), photography, videography and post-event follow-up. You confirm the date, share dietary requirements and headcount, and we take care of the rest. If your team needs minibus transport to Windhof, we're happy to help arrange that too.
What happens during a ChefPassport cooking class for corporate teams?
You arrive to a welcome breakfast (or coffee), then your chef introduces the menu. Teams work at their own cooking stations—no assigned groups unless you want them—and prepare a full meal together, often three to four dishes. You sit down to eat what you've made, with wine or cocktails if you've added them, and leave with recipes, photos and (if you've ordered them) personalised aprons and goodie bags.