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SUSHI MAKING
TEAM BUILDING LONDON

DRW Intern Programme Case Study - On-Site at the Leadenhall Building

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. Designed to build genuine mentor–intern relationships, the interactive workshop achieved 100% participation and led to repeat annual bookings.

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Quick Facts

  • Client: DRW

  • Location: Leadenhall Building (Cheesegrater), City of London

  • Event type: University intern programme team building

  • Group size: 43 participants

  • Format: On-site sushi making team building workshop

  • Duration: 2 hours + shared dining

  • Service area: City of London, Canary Wharf & all London boroughs

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 Unique Format: Peer-Teaching Sushi Workshop

To support mentor–intern bonding, we introduced a peer-teaching format specifically designed for mixed-seniority groups.

 

How the format worked

  1. One half of the room learned a sushi technique directly from the chef

  2. Participants returned to their stations and taught their partner

  3. Roles were reversed for the next techniques

  4. 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

Sushi Menu Delivered (Bamboo Course)

The workshop covered four traditional sushi 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 bamboo mats

  • Futomaki – thicker rolls with multiple fillings

Ingredients & dietary inclusivity

  • Premium Japanese sushi rice

  • Crisp nori imported from Japan

  • Sashimi-grade salmon, tuna, and prawn

  • Fresh vegetables and traditional accompaniments

Dietary requirements were fully accommodated, including vegetarian and gluten-free participants, with clear labelling and separate preparation areas.

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

T

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

Results and Outcomes

Engagement & participation

  • 100% participation across all 43 attendees

  • Consistently high energy throughout the full session

  • Every mentor–intern pair actively engaged

 

Client feedback

 

“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.”

Long-term impact

  • Repeat booking: This event followed a previous successful year and is now an annual fixture

  • Programme benefit: Stronger mentor–intern relationships reported throughout the programme

"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

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 Japanese food culture, sustainability, and technique.

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 interaction 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.

Zero Hassle for Organisers

We know that organising team events is stressful, so we provide a truly turnkey solution. We bring absolutely everything required - including professional sushi knives, fresh ingredients, table settings, and even the Japanese playlist. We leave your meeting room exactly as we found it, ensuring a completely stress-free experience for you.​​

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.

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