NEVER mind paintballing, orienteering or laser shooting – there is arguably a far better way to create corporate team bonding, as well as creativity, planning and goal setting.

What is more there is a terrific curry to savour at the end of it.

Sharmini’s Inspirational Indian Cuisine is the idea of Sharmini Thomas who bases herself at the York EcoCentre in Amy Johnson Way, Clifton Moor.

Sharmini, who is aiming for the New Business Of The Year and Women In Enterprise titles in The Press Business Awards, transfers the skills of the Asian kitchen to the demands of the workplace.

As an experienced Indian cookery tutor and qualified neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) practitioner she offers bespoke programmes of team building by combining cookery with NLP.

The result: Staff become more flexible and positive behaviour and self-belief is encouraged. The process of these cooking sessions help staff to overcome limiting beliefs, reduce stress, consider positives in all situations, give them time management techniques and communications skills.

Already staff at White Kite chartered accountants and Mercedes Benz, of York, have benefited from her cooking sessions and she is now holding team- building/Indian cookery events in the new kitchen at Joseph Rowntree School or at the Cooking Rooms in the Eco Business Centre in Clifton Moor.

She said: “Having employees prepare meals together is a perfect way of breaking down barriers between people in the work place. Every person is an equal and important member of the team regardless of what role they play in the organisation.

“By working together as a team staff can become more productive and motivated.”