Staff at companies and organisations across Norfolk and Suffolk are being encouraged to swap their computers and files for whisks and wooden spoons in a new charity corporate cook-off.

Lowestoft and Waveney Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year, Ivy House Country Hotel, is offering professionals the chance to get creative at the hob under the tutelage of a Michelin-star trained chef to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

There will be series of individual company cooking days run by hotel general manager Keith Parton, who has worked with the likes of Raymond Blanc and Marco Pierre White; where teams of four will learn how to make the perfect three course meal.

Companies and organisations can then take part in an inter-firm cook-off competition, where teams compete against each other by creating set dishes against the clock.

Doctor Adrian Parton, Ivy House owner, said: 'Cooking events are sociable, collaborative, creative and fun. They are great for team building.

'After the individual company sessions, companies can then send back teams to compete against other companies in a corporate cook-off. It will be good for networking as well as developing teamwork.'

The individual cook-off team building days will be completed by mid-May with the finals taking place between May 18 and May 20.

The series will culminate in a Gala Cook-off Awards Dinner which will take place on Friday, May 27 at the hotel's Ivy Hall; with awards for the best starters, best main, best desert, best teamwork and overall winners.

Doctor Parton added: 'The idea is simply to provide a great team building event which is educational and fun at the same time, and raises some funds to support the great work of Macmillan.'

For further information contact Keith Parton on 01502 501353 or email keith@ivyhousecountryhotel.co.uk.

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