Is this suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. Our workshops level the playing field. Since sushi making is a new skill for almost everyone, it removes hierarchy and gets everyone learning together with step-by-step guidance from our chefs.

How much does a team building workshop cost?

Pricing is bespoke based on your location and guest numbers. As a guide, our corporate packages typically range between £50 and £70 per person, including all ingredients, equipment, and tuition.

What is the difference between the Workshop and the Challenge?

The Workshop is a collaborative session focused on learning skills and eating together. The Sushi Challenge is a high-energy format where teams compete with 'Mystery Boxes' to create the best platter.

Yes, we are a fully mobile sushi event provider. We bring the chef, ingredients, and equipment directly to your office or hired venue across London and the South East.

How long does the session last?

Our standard team building sessions run for 90 minutes to 2 hours. We can adapt to shorter 'Lunch & Learn' slots (60 mins) if required.

What happens to the sushi we make?

You eat it! At the end of the session, the team sits down to enjoy a substantial meal of their own creations. We also provide eco-friendly containers for leftovers.

Do you offer virtual workshops?

Yes. We offer Virtual Sushi Classes where we send ingredient kits directly to your staff's homes and host the class live via Zoom or Teams.

Simply contact us with your preferred date, location, and numbers. We require a deposit to secure the date, with the balance due before the event. We provide invoices for company procurement.

Interns receiving instruction from Tomono at the sushi making event in London

University interns and mentors at DRW sushi making team building event at Leadenhall Building London

SUSHI MAKING TEAM BUILDING
LONDON - DRW CASE STUDY

Q: How much space do we need in the office?

We need very little space. We transform boardrooms, canteens, and clusters of desks into professional workstations daily. We simply require enough table space for everyone to stand at a chopping board and access to a sink or water source nearby.

Q: Can you accommodate dietary requirements?

Yes. We offer full Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten-Free menus so no team member is left out. Please let us know of any specific allergies in advance.

Enquire about Team Buidling >

The Leadenhall Building, commonly known as the Cheesegrater near Liverpool street station in London

How DRW Built Stronger Mentor-Intern Relationships
Through Interactive Sushi Making

Case Study Summary

This sushi making team building event in London was delivered on-site for 43 university interns and mentors at the Leadenhall Building near Liverpool Street Station in July 2025. Designed to build genuine mentor–intern relationships, the interactive workshop achieved 100% participation and led to repeat annual bookings.

Case Study Overview

DRW is a global proprietary trading firm that uses quantitative research, advanced technology, and risk‑taking strategies to trade its own capital across a wide range of financial markets

Client: DRW
Location: Leadenhall Building (Cheesegrater), City of London
Date: July 2025
Event type: University intern programme team building
Group size: 43 participants
Format: On-site sushi making team building workshop
Duration: 2 hours
Service area: City of London, Canary Wharf & all London boroughs
Repeat client: Yes (2nd event)

The interns and their mentors at DRW in kimono ready to start their sushi makin team building event

The Challenge: Building Real Mentor–Intern Connections

DRW’s London-based University Talent Acquisition team needed a team building experience that would help interns and mentors form genuine working relationships early in the programme.

The brief was clear:

Encourage natural interaction, not forced networking
Include all personalities and skill levels
Run on-site at their London office
Feel premium, memorable, and culturally interesting
Be simple for organisers to deliver

The Solution: On-Site Sushi Making Team Building in London

We delivered a fully mobile sushi making team building workshop at DRW’s office on the 37th floor of the Leadenhall Building, transforming the space into a Japanese sushi studio after work hours.

Sushi making was chosen because it is:

Hands-on and collaborative
Accessible to complete beginners
Non-hierarchical (no advantage to seniority)
Naturally social without being alcohol-led
Easy to deliver in office environments

The sushi making instructor shows half of the group how to make one of the sushi styles before they then have to go teach their partner

The Unique Format: Peer-Teaching Sushi Workshop

To support mentor–intern bonding, we introduced a peer-teaching format specifically designed for mixed-seniority groups. This enabled a level playing field as neither partner had experience of this before.

One half of the room learned a sushi technique directly from the chef
Participants returned to their stations and taught their partner
Roles were reversed for the next techniques
By the end, every pair had created all sushi styles together

This role-reversal approach deliberately disrupted workplace hierarchies and created:

Shared vulnerability
Natural conversation
Mutual respect
Confidence-building for interns
Approachability from mentors

An intern teaching her mentor how to make temari sushi

Sushi Menu Delivered (Bamboo Course)

The workshop covered four traditional styles, from simple to more advanced, but all achievable for beginners:

Temarizushi – hand-pressed sushi balls
Gunkansushi – seaweed-wrapped “battleship” sushi
Hosomaki – thin rolls using traditional hand-rolling techniques
Futomaki – thicker rolls with multiple fillings

Ingredients & dietary inclusivity

Premium Japanese sushi rice
Crisp, aromatic nori imported from Japan
Sashimi-grade salmon
Fresh vegetables and traditional accompaniments

Dietary requirements were fully accommodated, including vegetarian and gluten-free participants, with clear labelling and separate preparation areas. Other menu options are also available.

Smiling faces of the DRW team members at the sushi making team building event at the Leadenhall building in London

What Happened on the Day

As participants arrived directly from their desks, the atmosphere shifted immediately. Carefully laid tables, aromatic sushi rice, and colourful ingredients created a sense of occasion that felt distinctly different from a typical office event.

During the peer-teaching phases, the real value emerged:

Interns confidently demonstrated techniques to senior mentors
Mentors embraced learning and encouraged experimentation
Mistakes were laughed off, creating psychological safety
Conversation flowed naturally throughout the room

The final shared dining period, enjoyed against City of London views, extended conversations well beyond the workshop.

Tomono explaining the plan for the sushi making team building event at DRW near Liverpool St in London

Results and Outcomes

Engagement & participation

100% participation across all 43 attendees
Consistently high energy throughout the full session
Every mentor–intern pair actively engaged

Long-term impact

Repeat booking: This event followed a previous successful year and is now an annual fixture
Programme benefit: Stronger mentor–intern relationships

"Thank you very much for such a spectacular evening — it was excellent and we have heard so much positive feedback. The photos look amazing and the interns loved it."

Emily Higgins - University Talent Acquisition Specialist - Trading & Research at DRW London

Feedback from a DRW Intern

Feedback from the Organiser

Why Sushi Making Team Building Works for London Teams

✅ Inclusive by design

Sushi making suits all physical abilities, personality types, and cultural backgrounds, making it ideal for diverse London workplaces.

✅ No hierarchy advantage

Success depends on coordination and communication, not seniority — levelling the playing field instantly.

✅ Hands-on cultural learning

Participants aren’t just cooking; they’re learning about authentic Japanese food culture and techniques.

✅ Office-friendly logistics

No kitchen required, minimal setup, and easy post-work scheduling — perfect for City and Canary Wharf offices.

Is Sushi Making Team Building Right for Your Team?

Ideal for:

Graduate and intern programmes
Cross-functional teams
Mentor–mentee relationship building
Office socials without an alcohol focus
Client entertainment and employer branding

Especially effective when:

You want structured and genuine interaction
Teams include introverts
You’re hosting the event on-site
Dietary requirements make restaurants challenging

Planning Sushi Making Team Building in London?

If you’re looking for on-site sushi making team building in London, this case study shows exactly how it works in real offices, with real teams, and real results.

👉 Explore our sushi making team building experiences or get in touch to discuss your event.

Frequently Asked Questions: Sushi Making Team Building in London Offices

How much space do we need in the office?

Very little. For events like the DRW workshop, we regularly transform boardrooms, canteens, and open-plan office areas into sushi workstations. As long as there is table space for participants and access to a nearby sink or water source, we handle everything else.

Is sushi making suitable for complete beginners?

Yes — in fact, that’s why it works so well for team building. Sushi making is a new skill for almost everyone, from interns to senior leaders. This “levels the playing field” and allows teams to learn together with step-by-step guidance from our chefs.

Do you need a kitchen or specialist facilities?

No. Our sushi making team building workshops are fully mobile. We bring all equipment, ingredients, and chefs, and only require tables, water access, and a few power sockets for rice cookers.

Can you accommodate dietary requirements?

Absolutely. Inclusivity is essential for successful team building. We provide full vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, and can accommodate allergies such as shellfish or sesame when notified in advance.

How long does a typical session last?

Most London office-based sessions run for 90 minutes to 2 hours, including demonstration, hands-on sushi making, and time to eat together. We can also adapt the format for shorter lunchtime sessions if required.

Do you travel to offices across London?

Yes. We are a fully mobile sushi team building provider and regularly deliver events across the City of London, Canary Wharf, and all London boroughs.