Cooking is a daily creative process, but it is also much more than that. It is a masterful game between frameworks and freedom, a harmonious mixture of precision and improvisation. And just like in cooking, innovation is an art where small changes can create something completely new.
By looking at the dynamics of cooking, we can learn lessons about how we drive innovation and create something extraordinary from what we have.
The framework of cooking
Just as innovation is based on certain basic laws of nature and materials, there are rules and properties that govern cooking. Ingredients have their given properties – wheat flour binds, yeast lifts, and salt strengthens. But it is the chef’s choice of proportions, order and creativity that determines whether it will be a tough pizza dough or a fluffy bread.
In innovation, it works the same way. The resources you have access to – materials, technologies and the skills of the team – set certain limits. But how you use them, in what order and with what creativity, can lead to something that not only works but surprises. It can be the difference between a “meh” and something amazing.
The magic of spices and new perspectives
Spices are the kitchen’s equivalent of innovative use of materials. A raw material can be exactly the same, but with different seasonings it turns into something completely new. Think how a plain chicken can turn into an Indian curry, an Italian cacciatore or a Mexican mole depending on the choice of spices.
Innovation is about placing known materials and ideas in new contexts. One example is how glass, a traditional material for windows, has become solar panels or smart screens through new technologies. It’s the same material, but the spice – or rather the context – creates a completely new experience.
Enhance the experience with flavor enhancers
In the kitchen, flavor enhancers such as salt, umami or acid are used to lift the flavors and create balance. In the same way, we use tools such as light, sound or visual elements to enhance the experience of a product or service.
An example of this is modern cars, where an electric motor can be supplemented with synthetic engine sounds to create a more engaging driving experience. It’s not the car itself that changes, but the boost affects how it’s experienced – just like a splash of lemon juice can bring life to a dish.
The role of technology in change
Consider how heat and cold transform ingredients in cooking. Dough becomes bread in the oven, fruit becomes ice cream in the freezer. The order and way you use these methods also affects the results. Do you melt chocolate before mixing and let it harden afterwards? Do you fry the meat first or cook it directly in the pot?
Similarly, innovation works as a process where techniques and methods – heat, cold or otherwise – are used to transform ideas. In the technology industry, prototyping is sometimes used as “heat”, a rapid heating of ideas that are tested and modified. In other cases, a longer process is required, such as letting an idea “marinate” before it is frozen as a long-term plan.
Presentation and setting, a kind of packaging
Even the most delicious dish loses its charm if it is served uninspired. Table setting, presentation and atmosphere play a decisive role in how the food is experienced. The same goes for innovation. A brilliant idea that is not presented in an engaging and understandable way risks falling flat.
Think of Steve Jobs and his presentations of Apple products. The techniques were groundbreaking, but it was his ability to present them – with simplicity, elegance and precision – that made them great. Just as a well-laid plate with colors and contrasts entices the appetite, a well-packaged vision inspires commitment and action.
Hey you – innovation chef, What’s in your kitchen?
A chef is a master at creating something from what is at hand. Likewise, an innovation leader is an orchestrating force that turns resources into results. To think like a chef, you can ask yourself these questions:
- What ingredients do I have? What resources, materials and skills are available?
- Which recipe do I follow? Is there a proven method, or do I have to improvise?
- Which cookbook do I use? Am I inspired by previous projects or the successes of others?
- Who will help me? Do I have the right team and partners to succeed?
- How do I present the dish? How can I package my idea so that it becomes irresistible?
- How do I learn from mistakes? Burnt porridge teaches us to stir more next time – what insights do I take with me going forward?
Welcome to the innovation table
Cooking is a small innovation every time you cook. In the same way, innovation is a creative process where it is about combining resources, methods and ideas in new ways. It requires curiosity, courage and a willingness to experiment – just like in the kitchen.
So the next time you face an innovation challenge, think like a chef. Create your own dish, adjust the spices and dare to try something new. And don’t forget to invite others to the table – because together we create the most memorable feast.
Bon appétit and welcome to innovation!
