Chef JJ's Backyard BBQ

I spent 3 days in Indianapolis, IN on a work trip this week. One of the evenings we had a team building activity at Chef JJ's Backyard BBQ. It truly was a culinary experience!  Going into the week I didn't think I would have much to blog about because I'd be on the road but I was wrong. Here's a little recap of my experience...

As you walk into Chef JJ's you are greeted by your host who takes your drink order (and remembers your name for the entire night) and points you to your team's table. Then you're greeted by the Chef who explains the "game". Each team is tasked with making a salad, a flat bread pizza, and the proteins (steak, shrimp, and tofu in our case). The tables are all stocked with the necessary ingredients including spices, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, veggies, garnishes, dough, pizza sauce, lettuce, the meats, cutting boards, knives, aprons, plates, utensils and so on.  Side note: the chef prepares the appetizers (stuffed mushrooms) and the desert (mango bread pudding).

Once you get the lay of the land you're set to work. Teams are working against the clock and each other because the chef will judge taste of each prepared element.
(Keep in mind these pictures were taken on a smart phone so they aren't the best quality)

First the delicious mushrooms stuffed with garlic and pureed white beans of some sort. 

The team gets to work!

Now, my team won 1st place for presentation, but 3rd place overall. We lost by 2 points because we ate our salad and forgot to make the judge a plate. Oops.  This salad was delicious.

We decided to make 4 kinds of flat bread. 2 vegetarian (it was Ash Wednesday) and 2 with meats.

We did eat each part as it was completed then got to work on the next one. Next came the meats.

Our steak and veggies.

The tofu.

On the grill.

Hard at work.

Hot off the grill.

This was our finished product of beef, shrimp, and tofu. Presented quite nicely I might add.

The competition.

Last but not least (and most importantly)...

If you have a restaurant like this nearby I highly recommend getting a group of friends or family together and giving it a try. We all had a great time! This would also make a really fun rehearsal dinner experience with your wedding party.