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Sunday, March 25, 2018

#sol18 March 25 Engagement

Teachers are not the only ones who put on a show every day as we attempt to engage, or hook, our students and then to maintain their attention. Today, I met an amazing chef who not only cooked a meal for 15 people effortlessly, but also engaged his primarily 10 year old audience with flames shooting o the sky, water shooting into mouths, and volcanic onions oozing steam!  

I noticed his showmanship from the start as he arrived at the cooking table with a cart laden with prepped veggies, rice, noodles, shrimp, chicken, and steak.  He worked through his plan with purpose and focus on his goal: providing food while having fun.  I loved his smiles and his "Hi, girls" along with his clear intention to engage his audience.  

He started with what I guess is a traditional hibachi lunch/dinner beginning where the flames announcing the start of the meal!  The heat was intense and the girls shifted way back in their seats.  I was even a little scared, sitting on the periphery, but the goal was clear: engagement.  Then came the water bottle shooing game where he shot water into the 19 year old's and the elder's mouths.  Them, he cooked and served effortlessly knowing hr had the onion volcano to assure everyone was back into his fold!  

Those who do hibachi cooking perform! They know how to engage!

3 comments:

Emily Culbertson said...

I've only been a couple times, but it is a show that demands attention. There are flames involved for goodness sake! Thanks for noticing this element of similarity and sharing it.

Diane Anderson said...

When my older daughter’s were young and we went to one of those dinners, they became obsessed and played “Benihana’s” constantly, taking turns being the waitress and chef for doll and stuffed animal customers. Engaging, for sure.

Unknown said...

What great descriptions! I can actually picture the "show".