Relish’in Change

Relish Works, the innovation and research arm of a prominent family-owned food distributor, serves as a beacon of creativity and ingenuity in the foodservice industry. The company’s relocation to a new workplace, part of a larger brand overhaul, signifies a pivotal moment in Relish Works’ trajectory: its transition from a scrappy tech startup to an established entity and a key player within the parent organization. The experiential design infuses the new workspace with the brand’s unique personality and leans into its hospitality vibe.

Agency

IA Interior Architects

Practice Area

Client

Relish Works

Industry

The Challenge

The central design challenge lay in expressing the evolving identity of Relish Works and capturing its transformation from a nimble startup to a mature, influential force, while preserving the culture, agility, and personality that fueled its early success. As the company integrates into a larger corporate framework, the design reconciles two distinct identities: the playful, exploratory spirit of an innovation lab and the strategic presence of a trusted partner. The graphics were conceived not only to reflect this duality but to actively support and sustain it.

Project Vision

To create a dynamic, experiential environment that embodies Relish Works’ evolution from an experimental startup to a mature innovation leader, while celebrating its creative spirit, hospitality roots, and forward-thinking role within the food service industry.

A curated wall of wooden panels presents thought-provoking questions and illustrations.

Kendall McCaugherty

The customer is king” comes to life in a custom wallcovering—every card a king.

Kendall McCaugherty

Design + Execution

The Relish Works experience was conceived as a narrative-driven environment that traces the company’s journey from a scrappy startup to a pioneering innovation hub within the foodservice industry. Everyday foodservice items—such as spatulas, trays, and utensils—are reinterpreted as graphic and sculptural elements, creating moments of discovery that reflect the team’s inventive spirit and problem-solving mindset. The execution highlights material creativity, bespoke artwork, and graphics that feel one with the design, resulting in a deeply immersive environment where brand identity and purpose are both seen and felt.

Hand-drawn illustrations and playful typography blend nostalgia with humor.

Kendall McCaugherty

Wooden panels display key innovation questions, fueling curiosity and problem-solving.

Kendall McCaugherty

A glowing neon statement captures Relish Works’ mission.

Kendall McCaugherty

An illuminated “Order Here” sign playfully misdirects visitors from a concealed speakeasy lounge.

Kendall McCaugherty

Everyday utensils become an abstract, textural installation in the entry corridor.

Kendall McCaugherty

  1. Illustrated vintage-style trays turn everyday objects into a bold storytelling feature.

    Kendall McCaugherty

  2. A curated wall of wooden panels presents thought-provoking questions and illustrations.

    Kendall McCaugherty

  3. The customer is king” comes to life in a custom wallcovering—every card a king.

    Kendall McCaugherty

  4. Hand-drawn illustrations and playful typography blend nostalgia with humor.

    Kendall McCaugherty

  5. A glowing neon statement captures Relish Works’ mission.

    Kendall McCaugherty

  6. An illuminated “Order Here” sign playfully misdirects visitors from a concealed speakeasy lounge.

    Kendall McCaugherty

Project Details
Unlike so many aggressively branded environments, this one has an extraordinary calmness that stood out. Its strength lies in the very holistically considered palette of materials and colors, interwoven with playful elements.
Juror 1
The variety of cooking implements, and food service objects add warmth and a welcoming touch to this space in a fun and story-driven way.
Juror 2
Design Team

Chad Finken (experiential design director)
Lila Marty (senior experiential designer)
Andrea Benatar (designer)

Collaborators

Huntsman Architectural Group (architecture)
Moss Inc. (fabricator)
ALLKINDS Studio (fabricator)

Photo Credits

Kendal McCaugherty

Open Date

January 2024

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