Transformation flavours – recipes for change

What ingredients does real transformation need? And what might change taste like?

These questions were symbolically posed at the Co-Creation Kitchen – a station at our Grand Opening that deliciously combined sustainability, creativity and community.

At the co-do lab, transformation is not just something to be thought about, but something to be experienced and shaped – with your head, heart and hands. In the Co-Creation Kitchen, this vision was literally brought to the table: with shared energy, inspiring conversations and a wide variety of ingredients, ‘transformation cakes’ were baked. The result not only tasted good, but also provoked thought.

From recipe to resonance – how a cake became a symbol

The task sounded simple – but it was anything but: in just 30 minutes, teams whose members did not know each other beforehand had to create a ‘transformation cake’ together. But instead of a fixed recipe plan, the focus was on joint thinking and decision-making.

Each group worked on one stage of the cake – and built on the decisions of the previous teams. The result was not just a dessert, but a symbol of sustainable transformation:

Group 1 decided on the base – the foundation for change. For example, they decided whether the dough should be based on innovation and environmental awareness (oat yoghurt) or accessibility and feasibility (cow’s milk yoghurt).

Group 2 added strategic flavours, such as local honey as a symbol of regional value creation or cane sugar when global perspectives were seen as an important lever.

Group 3 took on the design – the visible differentiation, the vision of a transformation that inspires and excites: almonds for longevity or seasonal fruits for a little more freshness and zest?

In the end, there were several colourful, creative cakes on the table – each an expression of different approaches, beliefs and styles. And all together, proof that transformation needs diversity.

Chaos meets creativity – and the result is impact

Of course, not everything went according to plan. Quantities were mixed up, ingredients improvised, time slots stretched. But that was precisely where the magic lay: despite (or perhaps because of) the lively chaos, moments of genuine collaboration arose in which people laughed, took responsibility and embraced new ideas.

The feedback was clear:

The participants wanted exchange between the groups and space for mutual learning and connecting perspectives. It was surprising how quickly an atmosphere of trust and interest developed despite time pressure and unfamiliar team constellations. Transformation, it turned out, does not begin with perfection – but with openness.

Co-creation as a recipe for success

Behind the scenes, too, it became clear how much power there is in genuine co-creation. Michael provided the vision, Ada coordinated the planning, and Jakob – star chef at Restaurant Winkelmann – took care of the culinary implementation.

This collaboration made tangible what we live by at co-do lab: Transformation succeeds when people with different perspectives combine their strengths – when thinking, feeling and acting come together.

Conclusion: Change goes through the stomach – and the heart

The co-creation kitchen is more than just a cooking station. It is a living example of how ideas become tangible experiences – and how joint action makes change tangible. Transformation happens when people take responsibility, feel joy and experience meaning. And sometimes it starts with a spoonful of dough – and the question: How does change taste to you?

Curious to experience this yourself and with your team? Get in touch!