Happy Holidays from Illumina Interactive!

Whether you’re planning a party with loved ones or a kicking off a new project in the New Year, enjoy these thoughtful “Recipes for Success” that the Illumina team has brought to the table.

GETTING STARTED

Every great project begins with preparation—gathering your ingredients, understanding what you’re working with, and setting yourself up for success.

Michael’s Project Kickoff Meeting Recipe for Success

Think The Great British Baking Show. In the Technical challenge, all that contestants are given are the ingredients and a basic recipe, and no clue as to what success should look like. Meanwhile, we – the viewers – are shown a successful bake. Now, compare that to the Signature and Showstopper challenges where the contestants start out with a clear picture of their finished bake, and we’re shown an artist’s rendering of their vision.

When you’re planning a project kickoff (or any meeting for that matter), don’t stop at the agenda. Go in with a clear picture of what a successful outcome looks like. A good meeting ends with clear goals, priorities, expectations, action items, and next steps – but you’ll really have a leg up on it if you’ve already envisioned which goals matter most, who should own them, and why.

Walk into the meeting with that picture in mind. That’s how to turn a Technical into a Showstopper – and how you can measure real meeting success. Otherwise, you’ll just be handing out an ingredients list and hoping for a miracle. (And you won’t be getting a Paul Hollywood handshake!)

-Michael Getz

BUILDING SOMETHING GREAT

The middle is where the real work happens. It takes patience, attention, and trust in the process.

Nora’s West African-style Peanut Stew

This is one of Nora’s favorite soups to make in the winter, “It tastes even better the next day, when the flavors have had time to integrate and settle. Like any project, it’s a lot of work with a lot of ingredients — but so nourishing and satisfying when you’re finished!”

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 bell peppers, red or orange
• 2 small onions or 1 large onion, yellow or white
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger (or 1 tbsp ground ginger)
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)
• 1 can red kidney beans, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter, mixed with a little bit of water
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup
• 2 large or 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 8 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bunch kale, stems removed & ripped into medium-sized pieces
• Lime slices for garnishing
• Cilantro for garnishing
• Ground peanuts for garnishing

Directions:

1. Begin by chopping all vegetables and setting them aside.
2. In a large soup pot, sauté the onions over medium heat in olive oil until soft.
3. Add bell peppers and sauté for about 3 minutes.
4. Add garlic and ginger; sauté for another 5 minutes.
5. Add cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper; sauté for another 3 minutes.
6. Add peanut butter and brown sugar; mix well.
7. Add kidney beans and diced tomatoes; sauté for another 3 minutes.
8. Add sweet potato; mix well; let cook for another 3-5 minutes.
9. Add broth and bring to a boil.
10. Once soup is boiling, reduce heat and let simmer until the sweet potatoes are almost soft, about 25 minutes.
11. Add kale and continue simmering another 20 minutes.
12. Serve with lime, cilantro, and ground peanuts on top.

-Nora Murphy Silverman

Tara’s Favorite Kale and Swiss Baked Penne

This recipe, which is a delicious variation of mac ‘n’ cheese, never fails to warm up my family after a day of outdoor winter fun (from “Vegetarian Entrees that Won’t Leave You Hungry” by Lukas Volger).

Yield: 6 servings / Preparation and cooking time: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 bunch kale (about 12 ounces), tough stems removed
• 1 pound penne
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 shallots, minced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups reduced-fat milk (1% or 2%)
• 8 ounces Swiss cheese, grated (2 cups)
• Salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup toasted breadcrumbs
• 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (1/2 cup)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 3-quart casserole dish or 9 X 13-inch baking dish.
2. Blanch the kale in a large pot of salted water until tender, removing it from its cooking water with tongs or a slotted spoon so as to reserve the cooking water. Finely chop the kale.
3. Return the pot of water to a boil. Add the penne and cook until barely al dente. Drain and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking.
4. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the shallots and sauté until fragrant and just beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle the flour over the shallots, whisking constantly to evenly distribute the flour, and cook, still whisking constantly, until the mixture is a shade darker and smells nutty, 2 to 3 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to break up any lumps. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the kale, Swiss cheese, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and the pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary.
5. Put the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, oil, and a big pinch of salt in a small bowl and mix gently until well combined.
6. Combine the pasta and sauce and stir gently until evenly incorporated. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it in an even layer with the back of a spoon or a spatula. Scatter the bread crumb mixture evenly over the top and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until browned on top and bubbling on the edges. Let rest for 5 or 10 minutes to set up slightly before serving.

Leftovers stored in an airtight container will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator and 1 month in the freezer.

-Tara Lumb

Rick’s Favorite Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

This is a super recipe for chocolate chip cookies that Rick and his daughter truly enjoy. It was created by Alvin Zhou.

Ingredients for 12 cookies:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 4 oz milk or semi-sweet chocolate chunks
• 4 oz dark chocolate chunk, or your preference

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugars, salt, and butter until a paste forms with no lumps.
2. Whisk in the egg and vanilla, beating until light ribbons fall off the whisk and remain for a short while before falling back into the mixture.
3. Sift in the flour and baking soda, then fold the mixture with a spatula (Be careful not to overmix, which would cause the gluten in the flour to toughen resulting in cakier cookies).
4. Fold in the chocolate chunks, then chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. For a more intense toffee-like flavor and deeper color, chill the dough overnight. The longer the dough rests, the more complex its flavor will be.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Scoop the dough with an ice-cream scoop onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, leaving at least 4 inches (10 cm) of space between cookies and 2 inches (5 cm) of space from the edges of the pan so that the cookies can spread evenly.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges have started to barely brown.
8. Cool completely before serving.

And an important project tip from Rick: Over the years, I have learned that the best projects are accomplished by the best teams. Yes, this is cliche, but the contributions of a well-qualified team with a great attitude makes things less stressful and leads to better outcomes.

-Rick Burek

THE DETAILS THAT MATTER

Small touches make the difference between good and memorable—whether it’s a garnish, a family story, or a moment of playfulness.

Bernadette’s Pumpkin Roll

Here’s the story behind her mother’s awesome pumpkin roll as Mary Ellen tells it, “In the community where I grew up, my mother was famous for her holiday pumpkin roll. Neighbors, friends, and family members frequently asked her to make it for them. “Bernadette’s Pumpkin Roll” adorned many tables for the holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions. (Notice that people didn’t ask her for the recipe—they wanted her to make it herself because she had the special touch.)

“A few years ago, I found her recipe card, in her own handwriting. It was yellow with age and dog-eared at the edges. I used it to have tea towels made for my sister and my cousins. What was the secret to success of my mother’s pumpkin roll? It was the fact that she loved making it, and she loved every person she made it for.

“I believe this is what makes our work as e-learning designers successful as well. We love what we do. We create a special project for each individual client, and maintaining our relationship with them is everything.”

Ingredients

Cake:

• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup flour

Filling:

• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese
• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 4 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

 Instructions:

1. Beat sugar and eggs together.
2. Add canned pumpkin, cinnamon, baking soda, and flour.
3. Pour into a greased cookie sheet with deep sides (otherwise known as a jelly roll pan).
4. Bake at 350o for 15 minutes.
5. Cool for a few hours or overnight.
6. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
7. Spread the filling onto the cake evenly.
8. Roll into a jelly roll shape. (There is an art to rolling up cake. If you want to perfect the art, you can find it on YouTube. Otherwise, believe me, you can often just get away with luck!)
9. Slice and enjoy.

-Mary Ellen Whitaker

Recipes to Share with Friends

Kathleen was excited to share these two recipes that are a big hit with her friends who enjoy “Animal Crossing“:

#1 – Aya’s Pumpkin Bread

Serves: 12-ish per loaf

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 4 eggs
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups pumpkin (15 oz can)
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ½ teaspoons ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon allspice

Directions:

1. Combine sugars, oil, and eggs; once blended add pumpkin and mix until smooth (by hand with a spoon is fine).
2. Sift dry ingredients together, then add to wet mixture about a half cup at a time.
3. Bake at 350°F in 2 greased and floured loaf pans for 1 hour (can take slightly longer). Or in 6 small loaf pans for 45 minutes for gift giving. Then enjoy!

#2 – Forgotten Cookies

Serves: 12-ish per batch

Ingredients:

• 2 Egg Whites (room temp)
• ¾ Cup White Sugar
• ½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• ½ Teaspoon Peppermint Extract (or substitute with Maple or Almont Extract if desired)
• 1 Package (6 oz.) Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Beat egg whites with electric mixer until thick & foamy (medium peaks). Then VERY SLOWLY incorporate sugar, beating until stiff. Fold in extracts and chocolate chips.
3. Drop by teaspoonful onto foil-lines cookie sheets. (Top with sprinkles if desired). Place in preheated oven then turn oven OFF.
4. Leave overnight, or at least 5 hours.
5. Store in air-tight container. Then enjoy!

-Kathleen Schenck

According to Jason, Good Training Is Like a Good Old-Fashioned!

Let’s tuck into something good. It is the holidays after all! Below is why I think good training is like a good Old Fashioned.

Whiskey is your content. It’s the whole reason the drink exists. If it’s not worth sipping, no amount of fancy presentation saves it.

Bitters are the productive struggle. This is what most courses skip entirely. That moment where learners have to think before getting the answer? That’s what adds depth. Without it, everything tastes flat.

Sugar is your engagement layer — interactivity, visuals, audio, video. Essential, but dangerous. If you need a lot of sugar, you should probably question your whiskey.

Water and stirring are your pacing and scaffolding. This is what makes complex things accessible without dumbing them down. Amateurs skip it.

The garnish is your first impression and last impression. The orange peel isn’t decoration — it’s the first thing you smell. The cherry (Luxardo preferably) rewards you for finishing. These details signal that someone actually gave a damn.

The Old Fashioned didn’t become a classic by adding more ingredients. It got there by stripping away everything that didn’t earn its place.

So, there you have it! Have a good Old Fashioned on me and enjoy the holidays!

-Jason Kramer

QUICK WINS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

Not everything needs to be elaborate. Sometimes simple and reliable is exactly what the moment calls for.

Ashley’s No-Bake Oatmeal Energy Bites

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup coconut flakes
• 2/3 cup peanut butter
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 cup oats
• ½ cup chocolate chips, raisins, cranberry, (or combination of)

Directions:

1. Stir ingredients together in bowl.
2. Let firm up in refrigerator for 30 min.
3. Roll into bite size balls
4. Store in air-tight container in refrigerator to keep them firm, enjoy.

-Ashley Shaffer

FINISHING STRONG

The best endings leave people wanting more—and grateful for the experience.

Illumina’s Year-End Success Mocktail

And to close out our team’s Recipes for Success, Kermit is pleased to share this festive blend of all the ingredients that make our projects and the partnerships behind them sparkle.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Clear Goals– the base that keeps everything balanced
• 2 tablespoons Proactive Communication– brightens the mix
• 3 slices Stakeholder Empathy– adds depth and warmth
• A handful of Flexibility– for when things need a twist
• A sprinkle of Humor– because a little lightness goes a long way
• 1 fresh “Oops!” handled gracefully– optional, but often part of the journey
• A few cubes of Ice from Team Support – keeps everything cool under pressure
• A garnish of Gratitude– for teammates, collaborators, and the clients who make the work meaningful

Directions:

1. Start with Clear Goals in a large shaker — they form the foundation of every great project.
2. Add Proactive Communication and Stakeholder Empathy, letting them mingle and infuse.
3. Toss in Flexibility, giving the mixture the ability to adapt and stay refreshing.
4. Lightly stir in Humor and any gracefully handled “Oops!” moments — they bring authenticity and resilience.
5. Pour over Ice of Team Support, because nothing thrives under too much heat.
6. Garnish with Gratitude, serve with intention, and enjoy together—because shared success always tastes the brightest.

Serving Suggestions:

Sip throughout the year. Best enjoyed during kickoff meetings, mid-project check-ins, year-end reflections, and any moment worth celebrating the great work and great partners that make our projects shine.

-Kermit Riewe

As we welcome 2026, the team at Illumina Interactive would like to thank all our colleagues, clients, and vendors for all your support, and we look forward to our continuing and successful partnership.

We wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!