The Restaurant Rivals Workshop
The Fun Food Company
The Restaurant Rivals is a perfect blend of creativity and teamwork to boost employable skills.The whole experience will have your pupils buzzing about food, the restaurant industry,
whilst practicing key skills for life. It is an engaging, curriculum-linked workshop that brings food education and careers learning to life.
Pupils work in teams to design a restaurant, create a healthy dish and pitch their concept, building teamwork, creativity and communication skills.
The activity supports Gatsby Benchmarks and Skills Builder Universal Framework by introducing students to real careers across the food, hospitality and business sectors, while giving them a hands-on experience that inspires and connects learning with the world of work.
The Restaurant Rivals workshop aims to help young people stay healthy, safe and prepared for life and the work environment. How so?
It's split into 3 sections..
Group work - The Design and concept phase that encourages communication, time management, task management, innovation and confidence.
The Pitch or Presentations help build public speaking confidence, presentation skills and articulation in front of peers.
The cook off finale - The top restaurants will go head to head with a selection of surprise ingredients to cook the best healthy balanced meal they can, to prove they truly have the best restaurant team!
The winning Restaurant team will be chosen by tasters, VIP judges (Teachers) and our Chef. It is a great fun way to cement everything learnt by positive reinforcement. It encourages creativity, time management, self confidence and hammers home the truth about healthy eating and its benefits.
How it supports the Gatsby Benchmarks?
The Restaurant Rivals is highly effective in meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks by providing meaningful employer encounters, real-world experiences, and clear links between curriculum learning and future careers.
Its structured roles, hands-on challenges help students develop essential employability skills while giving schools strong, reportable evidence across multiple benchmarks in a single, engaging event.
Get is touch to find out more!
Where we travel to
We can visit your school in: East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West, Yorkshire, Wales
What activities are available during this school workshop?
The Restaurant Rivals workshop is a fun, hands-on, team-based challenge where pupils take on the role of food entrepreneurs!
Working in groups, students design their own restaurant concept, choose a target audience and create a healthy dish for their menu. They then develop branding and marketing ideas before pitching their restaurant to the rest of the group.
The 90 minute session culminates in a fun cook-off and final judging, where teams present their dish and concept to decide the winner! It encouraging teamwork, creativity, problem-solving and communication while exploring careers in the food and hospitality industry.
Working in groups, students design their own restaurant concept, choose a target audience and create a healthy dish for their menu. They then develop branding and marketing ideas before pitching their restaurant to the rest of the group.
The 90 minute session culminates in a fun cook-off and final judging, where teams present their dish and concept to decide the winner! It encouraging teamwork, creativity, problem-solving and communication while exploring careers in the food and hospitality industry.
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
Careers Workshop
Restaurant Rivals gives pupils hands-on experience in Business, Marketing, Project Management, and Brand development. They act as young entrepreneurs, creating restaurant concepts, managing budgets, and pitching ideas, building practical Skills in Innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving.
The workshop connects classroom learning to real-world Industries, inspiring students to explore careers in food, hospitality, and business while developing confidence and entrepreneurial thinking.
Cooking and Nutrition Workshop
Nutrition and healthy diets Preparing food and cooking techniques Hospitality and Catering
Restaurant Rivals brings food learning to life by having pupils design a restaurant, plan menus, and create healthy dishes. They explore nutrition, ingredients, cooking techniques, and meal planning while building practical Skills in creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving. The workshop connects classroom food education to real-world contexts, inspiring pupils to think like chefs, innovators, and food entrepreneurs.
Business Workshop
Enterprise and Leadership Marketing
The Restaurant Rivals brings business learning to life. Pupils act as young entrepreneurs creating a restaurant concept, designing a brand, planning menus, managing a budget, and pitching their ideas. They practice business, marketing, and project management skills, while developing Innovation, teamwork, and communication. Linking to real-world Industries, it inspires entrepreneurship and shows how classroom learning connects to careers in food and hospitality.
PSHE
Healthy Living Healthy eating
Restaurant Rivals supports PSHE by helping pupils work together, make decisions, and take responsibility for their projects. Teams develop communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, while learning about healthy choices, resilience, and self-confidence. The workshop encourages collaboration, respect, and accountability, connecting personal development with practical, real-world experiences in a fun and engaging way.
Team Building Workshop
Restaurant Rivals is a hands-on team-building workshop where pupils collaborate to design a restaurant, plan menus, and pitch their ideas. Teams practice communication, cooperation, leadership, and problem-solving skills, learning to support each other and share responsibilities. By working together in a creative, fun environment, pupils strengthen teamwork, build confidence, and experience the value of collaboration in real-world contexts.
What size groups do we cater for?
From 20 to 100 pupils
Access for visitors with disabilities
We always involve pupils with disabilities with all aspects of the workshop, and we encourage teachers to actively help them be involved.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
To make the Restaurant Rivals truly impactful in a SEND setting, the focus shifts from a high-octane competition to a more predictable dialled back, sensory-aware experience that prioritises comfort over the clock.
Flexibility is key: Noise levels are kept in check by swapping loud cheers for silent applause, lowering the music to a less pressurised level. By offering low-pressure ways to participate and adapting for those who prefer to watch from the sidelines, the show becomes a predictable, safe environment. Ultimately, success isn't defined by a finished dish on a timer, but by creating a flexible space where students can engage with the workshop at a pace that respects their individual social and sensory needs.
Anything else?
What do schools say?
"One of the best workshops we've ever booked. Engaging, easy to organise, and the children loved it!"
Sarah - Headteacher, A Cheshire Primary School
"We've just had Ben in for the workshop, and I wanted to say how absolutely brilliant it was. The children and staff loved it - it was interactive, engaging, fun, and educational. Honestly, it's one of the best workshops we've ever had, so a massive thank you to you and Ben.
A special mention to Ben himself, he was fantastic with the children, so warm, approachable, and full of energy. He created such a positive and inclusive atmosphere that really brought the session to life."
Alice - Principal, St Mary's Catholic Primary School
"A special mention to Ben, he was fantastic with the children, so warm, approachable, and full of energy. He created such a positive and inclusive atmosphere that really brought the session to life."
Ms Wilson - Headteacher, Henley in Arden
"One of the best workshops we've ever booked. Engaging, easy to organise, and the children loved it!"
Sarah - Headteacher, A Cheshire Primary School
"We've just had Ben in for the workshop, and I wanted to say how absolutely brilliant it was. The children and staff loved it - it was interactive, engaging, fun, and educational. Honestly, it's one of the best workshops we've ever had, so a massive thank you to you and Ben.
A special mention to Ben himself, he was fantastic with the children, so warm, approachable, and full of energy. He created such a positive and inclusive atmosphere that really brought the session to life."
Alice - Principal, St Mary's Catholic Primary School
"A special mention to Ben, he was fantastic with the children, so warm, approachable, and full of energy. He created such a positive and inclusive atmosphere that really brought the session to life."
Ms Wilson - Headteacher, Henley in Arden
Who are The Fun Food Company?
Since 2009, The Fun Food Company has been delivering The Restaurant Rivlas, which is led by professional chefs and trainers, Chef Ian and Chef Ben, who bring high-energy healthy eating workshops directly to your school. We specialise in "Live Cook-Off" events that are professional, educational, and-most importantly-a total blast for the students.
We pride ourselves on being incredibly friendly and easy to work with. Chef Ian, Chef Ben, and the rest of our team handle all the heavy lifting, from risk assessments to equipment, ensuring a seamless experience for you and your staff. We're here to make your life simple while inspiring your pupils to get cooking.
Subscribe
