Have you ever wanted to learn to cook for yourself?
Well now’s your chance to learn!
Run by Ms. Bigelow and Ms. Hawkins room and check out the Culinary Club.
It is a new club at Arundel that hosts a vibrant community of aspiring chefs exploring cuisines from different parts of the world. This year, they are trying foods from Mexico, Italy, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Greece.
I interviewed one of the club’s advisors, Ms. Bigelow, to learn more about the club and for general advice on cooking.
Q: What inspired you to start this club?
A: “Well, a lot of students asked me many times over the last year to start a club like this, and this year I finally said ‘YES! We can do this!” This is my second year here, so I felt comfortable diving into something new. I also love to eat and make international cuisine, so I wanted to share that with as many people as possible.”
Q: What are your plans for the club’s future?
A: “If we can get fundraising off the ground—which has been a little bit of a struggle at first—I would like to take some field trips to explore cuisines outside of the Odenton area. Some of our ideas include going to DC and visiting Union Market, which has a variety of food stalls. If we were ever able to raise enough money for a bigger trip, New York City would be great because the international food scene is exceptional.”
Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of leading the club?
A: “I just love being with the students. I love teaching them new things and getting them excited about new experiences they haven’t had before. It’s fun to be with people when they’re exploring and tasting new things.”
Q: What advice would you give someone new to cooking?
A: “Don’t be afraid to fail. In failure, you often learn how to actually do things well. Sometimes you have to fail to know how to fix a problem. That’s one thing I love about cooking.”
Q: What are some skills you develop in the Culinary Club outside of cooking?
A: “I think problem-solving is a big one—being inquisitive and asking quality questions. Because we’re exploring five different cuisines, I hope they’re building curiosity about what they’re hearing, tasting, and planning to make in the kitchen.”
Q: How does your club foster a sense of community among its members?
A: “A lot of the students already know each other, but others are meeting completely new people they wouldn’t normally interact with in school. Ms. Hawkins and I help foster the community, but the students are the ones doing all the work.”
Q: What is your favorite recipe to make?
A: “I’ve been making this sweet potato chowder at home. You sauté bacon and vegetables, blend everything together, and then add coconut milk and chipotle peppers. Oh my gosh, it’s so good! You top it with cilantro and bacon bits… Delicious.”
Currently the club is at full capacity for this year.
If you are interested in cooking, Ms. Bigelow and Ms. Hawkins encourage you to start searching for and taking culinary classes and then apply for the club as openings may become available next year. The application process includes a series of questions to assess your genuine interest in cooking due to the club’s high demand. If you have any questions about the club or cooking classes, feel free to contact them.
Contact information:
Ms. Bigelow, jkbigelow@aacps.org, (410) 674-6500
Ms. Hawkins, (410) 674-6500
Alex Gallo
Student Reporter Intern, Arundel High School
