Forefront Living and Thomas Cuisine Cook Up Collaboration

Teammates from Forefront Living (FL) and Thomas Cuisine (TC) came together for a fun and fast-paced team-building cooking competition at Tre Wilcox Cooking Concepts in Plano. Guided by Chef Tre, teams had just 38 minutes to create two dishes using a mystery basket of ingredients including a pork shank, cod, orange marmalade and more.

The three teams – Team Magical (FL teammates: Dustin Allen, Kristen Jordan, TC teammates: Matthew Monaco, Spencer Mundy), Team Hot Stuff (FL teammates: Steve Ailey, Ke’o Velasquez, TC teammates: Jim Cooper, Alison Patt) and The Curry-ans (FL teammates: Tim Mallad, Scott Polzin, TC teammates: Lynn Daily, Liz Oba) – put their culinary skills to the test, competing for top marks in taste, presentation and ingredient use. For some, this challenge tossed them into uncharted waters, dodging hot pots and trying to use a mandolin slicer without losing a finger. Meanwhile, others looked ready to host their own cooking show. TC Chief Financial Officer, Nick Krieger, served as the official judge for the competition and in the end, Team Hot Stuff claimed victory by one point!

Twice nominated for the “Rising Star Chef” award by the James Beard Foundation, Chef Tre has showcased his culinary talent on Bravo’s Top Chef (Season 3 and Top Chef All-Stars) and competed on Iron Chef America, where he and his mentor, Kent Rathbun, triumphed over Bobby Flay’s team. Chef Tre, who recently consulted for The Outlook at Windhaven, knows a thing or two about the importance of collaboration. He encouraged participants to communicate and adapt under pressure, emphasizing the importance of teamwork not only in the kitchen but beyond. To cap off the night, the group was treated to a delicious dinner and dessert prepared by Chef Tre himself. With TC providing culinary consulting for several FL communities, the evening was an exciting way to celebrate working together.

By Amee McGough