Tricia Wallwork’s Post

How do you lead from behind when the concept of leadership has a connotation of being ahead? Sounds like an Oxymoron doesn't it? However, if you think about how a shepherd leads its flock, it is typically from behind. This is a scary concept especially in the food service business. How do you ensure that your vision is carried out to the last detail without driving it from the front? I had the unique opportunity a few weeks ago to cater to the special guests at House on the Rock Church for the Spirit Life Conference. With an amazing lineup of some of my favourites like Bishop TD Jakes, Sarah Jakes Roberts, Nathaniel Bassey and Dunsin Oyekan; I had to ensure that the vision we agreed on internally was executed flawlessly leading from the back room. Goal: Our vision for the event was to educate a mixed crowd of African Americans and Nigerians about the possibilities of Nigerian food. Objective: To ensure that the food remained approachable with familiar flavours but pushing boundaries with some of the dishes using local ingredients. Plan: Divided the team into the prep and execution. It was a 4-day event which meant all our procurement, prep for sauces, spice mixes and dough for pastries were done in bulk so each day, the execution was fresh. Strategy: Eliminate error in execution for front and back of house. We recruited our strongest waiters for the event with a head waiter who coordinated the service flow. We had an operational lead at the back of house that was responsible for ensuring food freshness, appropriate serving temperatures and prompt service delivery. Tactics: We considered the noise levels in the room during service time and a mixed crowd, we didn't want to make assumptions on food intolerances. We designed menu tent cards with the Canapé menu item printed boldly and the key ingredients listed at the bottom to enable guests read the cards. This was our way of designing for accessibility as well. We employed sensory evaluation techniques to ensure we had a uniform experience for the design of the service. Visual - The choice of gold platters and disposable but re-usable gold paper plates were intended to communicate elegance especially for the level of the event. Smell - We used the same subtle but present perfume for all the service staff that interacted with all the guests. Our idea was if the guests noticed the fragrance the first few times, it could be used as an identifier for when our plates were coming out as there were multiple food vendors. Taste - Representing Nigerian flavours in all our dishes was a must. Our pesto lamb/beef sliders were an instant hit but the pesto was made using efirin (scent leaves) and cashew nuts which brought a familiar but homegrown flavour profile to the dish. Needless to say the event was a success and the team executed flawlessly. My biggest takeaway was "Execution really trumps strategy and it is indeed possible to lead from behind." See for yourself:

Your guide to getting into the holiday spirit in Boston!

 🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 Wishing our American clients and colleagues a wonderful holiday celebration filled with laughter, barbecue, fireworks, and some R&R with family or friends! ✨ 🎇 🌟 #FourthOfJuly #FamilyTime #Celebrate #IndependenceDay #Barbeque #USA #IndependenceDay #4thOfJuly #QualitativeResearch #QualitativeInsights #FiorenteGlobal #MarketResearch

#ThrowbackThursday In the whirlwind of modern life, it's these timeless traditions that ground us, reminding us of what truly transforms a house into a cherished home. Join us on a journey through heartwarming traditions that withstand the sands of time. 4. Family rituals From cozy movie nights with homemade popcorn to annual holiday baking marathons, these rituals weave a tapestry of love and togetherness that defines your family. Think Sunday mornings reserved for pancake breakfasts, where everyone pitches in to flip fluffy stacks of deliciousness. But it's not just the big occasions that hold significance; it's the everyday moments of connection and laughter that truly make your house feel like a sanctuary. Whether it's bedtime stories with silly voices or impromptu dance parties in the living room, your family traditions are the glue that binds you together. What are some of your favorite family traditions? Share them with us in the comments below! Let's celebrate the magic of togetherness and the joy of creating memories that will last a lifetime. #FamilyTraditions #HomeSweetHome #MakingMemories #METARealty #AustinRealtors

Tacala is thankful at Thanksgiving! This month's Talk of Tacala blog post features some of the many reasons we are thankful at Tacala this season. Follow the link below to read our post, Thankful at Tacala: https://lnkd.in/ed_i4zqg

The easiest ways to get a holiday party going.

Are you back from your vacation already? Here is some #unsolicitedadvicebyzoe for when you’re drinking your morning coffee or enjoying your late-night wine 😌, contemplating your life choices 🌱 #tips #personaldevelopment #foodforthought

A good wine changes with age and shows different aspects with time. Your self-discovery journey doesn’t stop either. You move abroad, have kids, or just wake up one day and ask yourself: Who am i? Who I could be with time? Discover and rediscover yourself. Again and again #selfdiscovery #selfdiscoveryjourney #selfgrowth #selfdevelopment #selfdevelopmentjourney #understandandenjoywine #interactivewinetastings #wineselfcoaching #reflectwithwine

Happy Mardi Gras! On a day filled with so many festivities and events, who is to say you can't participate when in you're in recovery? Some fun sober Mardi Gras activities: 🟣 Please your palate, dive into the Fat Tuesday celebration 🟣 Go to a parade with sober friends 🟣 Host your own sober Mardi Gras party 🟣 Explore the rich Mardi Gras history Some sober celebration tips: 🟡 Come with an exit plan 🟡 Try to avoid events with drinking if you can 🟡 Have a backup plan, don't stay where you're uncomfortable 🟡 Have an sober/accountability friend come with you We know it can be challenging to stay sober during holidays. The celebrations can be fun, but remember, nothing is more important than your recovery. If you put that first, you can do anything. #SoberMardiGras #RecoveryFestivities #SobrietyTips #StaySober #SoberCelebrations #MardiGras #AegisTreatmentCenters

Laissez les bons temps rouler! 🎉🎷 As we embrace the vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras, it's a reminder of the joy that comes from truly letting ourselves dive into new experiences. But behind every dazzling parade and mask, there's a story of preparation and the support of a community that makes all the difference. Embarking on a major transformation in life can feel a bit like preparing for our own personal Mardi Gras. It's not just about the decision to change; it's about setting the stage, ensuring we have the right environment, and, most importantly, the support system to help us navigate the journey. Just as a Mardi Gras parade requires musicians, artists, and countless others to come to life, transformational journeys require a network of support. Coaching is that behind-the-scenes crew for your personal parade, offering guidance, accountability, and the encouragement needed to make your career goals not just a dream, but a reality. After all, Mardi Gras isn't just an excuse for a party, but a preparation for a journey of personal and spiritual transformation! As we enjoy the festivities, let's remember that every significant change starts with a single step, and the right support can turn that step into a stride towards success. Let the spirit of Mardi Gras inspire you to prepare for your transformation with the joy and support it deserves. 🎭✨ #Transformation #Support #MardiGrasInspiration #CoachingJourney