Running a kitchen isn’t just about delivering amazing dishes; it’s about building a team that can handle the demands of the industry with resilience, empathy, and support. From long hours to high expectations, kitchen life can strain even the strongest teams.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
The TEAMS Code––Together, Empathy, Acting as One, Mindfulness and Speaking Up––is a practical framework created to foster a positive, uplifting kitchen culture. It equips you with the tools to create an environment where every team member feels valued, respected, and motivated.
Ready to elevate your kitchen culture? Here’s how the TEAMS Code can help you strengthen team dynamics, enhance well-being, and create a truly inclusive workspace.
Togetherness: Building Strength through Diversity
The heart of any supportive kitchen culture is togetherness. In kitchens where team members come from diverse backgrounds, you're not just bringing different skills to the table—you're enriching perspectives, sparking new ideas, and fuelling creativity.
Togetherness is about building an environment where everyone feels they belong, where every voice is heard, and every contribution matters. When your team feels connected, collaboration thrives, resilience strengthens, and the whole kitchen benefits, creating a positive and energised atmosphere for everyone involved.
Empathy: Cultivating Understanding and Respect
Empathy is a powerful way to ease the pressures of a fast-paced kitchen. By encouraging your team to understand each other’s experiences and challenges, you’re more likely to respect each other’s contributions and be more open to express any concerns, which helps maintain smooth operations even during the busiest times.
Acting as One: Promoting True Teamwork
Kitchens thrive when everyone comes together as one, no matter their role. Acting as One means putting collaboration before competition, creating a space where each station works in sync, and success is shared by the whole team. When everyone is united toward a common goal, challenges become easier to tackle, and each team member knows they’ve got the support they need to succeed.
You might also like: Unlocking Opportunities to Act as One
Mindfulness: Supporting Wellbeing in High-Pressure Environments
In a busy kitchen, mindfulness might seem challenging, but it’s essential for building a healthy, balanced environment. Small, mindful practices, such as taking a moment to breathe during a rush or encouraging each other to stay hydrated, make a big difference in maintaining focus and resilience, ultimately creating a healthier work atmosphere that supports wellbeing, reduces stress, and keeps spirits up when times get tough.
Speak Up: Creating Open Communication and Feedback
A kitchen that encourages open communication will help you build trust and efficiency within your team. When your team members feel comfortable speaking up, they’re more likely to raise concerns, offer feedback, and contribute ideas that benefit everyone. By fostering open communication, you ensure that every voice—from your head chef to your newest hire—is heard and respected, making your kitchen a place where your team can grow, innovate, and work together toward shared goals.
Implementing the TEAMS Code in Your Kitchen
Building a supportive, inclusive kitchen culture doesn’t happen overnight, but with the TEAMS Code, you’ve got a clear roadmap to follow. To help keep your team focused and grounded, even in the busiest shifts, we’ve created a downloadable TEAMS Code poster. It’s more than just a list of ideas—it’s a practical tool you can start using in your kitchen right away to promote teamwork, respect, and a positive work environment.
Here are a few steps to get started:
1. Display the code
Download, print and display the TEAMS Code in a spot where everyone can see it. Having a daily reminder of these values encourages your team to live by them, even during a busy shift.
2. Discuss it regularly
During team meetings or family meals, take a few moments to discuss how the TEAMS Code applies to daily operations. This regular conversation keeps the Code active and relevant, opening the door for your team to share their experiences and ideas.
3. Encourage accountability
Ask your team to hold each other accountable to the TEAMS values in a positive, constructive way. When everyone is invested in the culture, collaboration becomes second nature.
4. Celebrate the wins
Recognise when someone embodies the TEAMS values, whether they’re stepping up to help during a rush or sharing a creative new approach. These small acknowledgments strengthen your team’s commitment to a supportive culture.
Ready to get started? Download the TEAMS Code Poster
You can also join our free Leadership Training course to level up your leadership skills. Find out more about it.
