I knew I was in trouble when Janell, a member of PFL’s fun team (more on this later), approached me to ask a favor. I quickly and foolishly agreed to be one of five judges in PFL’s soup cookoff last Thursday.

You must understand that I don’t have a very refined sense of taste. In fact, a coworker told me last week that my palette hadn’t evolved since I was 17. Nevertheless, I had no qualms about being a soup judge. I take pride not in nuanced tasting, but in the volume and efficiency in which I can sample food.

Fast forward to the end of the judging: I’m using my napkin to wipe sweat from my forehead and clutching my cramped stomach after eating 17 soups in 30 minutes flat. Everything from clams and crab to meatballs and spicy chili was mixing in my belly with unknown consequences.

So, what does a stomach ache have to do with fun culture? That’s easy: silly events like a soup cook off are an inexpensive way to get employees engaged with your company’s culture and engaged with each other. Just be wary of taking on a judging role if you don’t have an iron stomach!