Why You Should Start a Cooking Club and How to Do It

What are your plans for dinner this evening? Are you chopping and dicing? Braising some short ribs or making fresh stock? Whether you are a foodie or not, cooking for a family can be thankless, sometimes rushed and oftentimes unpleasant. If you love to cook, or USED TO love to cook, I bet that making grilled cheese, plain chicken, or pasta with butter and parmesan is boring you to tears. Why You Should Start a Cooking Club and How to Do It.

There has to be a way to make cooking FUN again. 

All you need to do is join a cooking club. Homemade sausages. Bao and other Asian dumplings. A year’s worth of tomato sauce. Whether it’s because of the labor involved, the economies of scale and bulk buying, or the enormous fun to be shared, some recipes and kitchen projects benefit heavily from a collective effort. This is why I love being a member of a cooking club.

What is a cooking club and how is it fun and helpful? Let me count the ways!

1. What Is a Cooking Club?

A cooking club is an assembly of persons regularly or semi-regularly engaged in a major cooking endeavor or investigation of an exotic cuisine. As mentioned, the benefits are usually to share labor and ingredients. Other reasons are that one person may have expertise in a certain area that she is willing to share with others, or perhaps the project asks for a very specific piece of equipment that very few people own, but someone in your group has.

But really, the main reason is that there’s enormous fun to be had when a group of people gather together, roll up their collective sleeves, and get something delicious done.

2. Advice for Starting Your Own Cooking Club

Establishing a cooking club may be a fulfilling and fun activity bringing together friends and other foodies to exchange recipes, methods, and—of course—great meals. Drawing on personal experience, this thorough handbook will enable you to launch and operate your own cooking club successfully. 

1. Know Who You Are

i). Establish an Initial Structure

You should set some ground rules before you enter the gastronomic scene with your new company. Consider the following questions:

• Membership: Will your club be exclusive to members, or can non-members join by invitation? Clearly defining a membership policy will assist to control expectations. 
• Meeting Frequency: Choose if you want to get together frequently, like every third Saturday, or infrequently, based on the kinds of tasks and components.
• Theme Focus: Think about if you would want a more open style or a defined subject for each meeting, including preserving techniques, international cuisines, or initiatives centered on meat.
• Skill Levels: Decide whether you prefer a group with varying skill levels or if you would like to maintain a focus on either amateur or professional participants. This decision can influence the dynamics of your cooking sessions.

While your group will naturally evolve over time, establishing these foundational elements will save you from confusion and scrambling in the early stages.

ii). Be Purposeful About Your Size and Makeup

The size of your group and the skill levels of its members will greatly impact how your cooking sessions unfold. My own group has grown large enough that not everyone can participate in every event, so we often cap attendance based on kitchen size and available fridge space.

• Average Size: We typically gather around eight people, with a mix of experienced cooks and novices. This diversity of skill levels can create a supportive learning environment, especially when seasoned cooks are willing to share their knowledge.
• Leadership: If a project requires specific expertise, clarify who will lead the session. It’s crucial that everyone understands their roles to avoid confusion during the cooking process.

2. Basic Organization

i). How to Create an Event

Starting a cooking event can be as informal or structured as you desire. Here’s how my group approaches event organization:

• Communication: We use a private Facebook group to share ideas and information. When someone has a culinary project in mind, they post it along with a link to the recipe. Interested members then chime in, and we work together to find a date and location that suits everyone.
• Herding Cats: Coordinating schedules can be chaotic, requiring patience and persistence. One or two people usually take ownership of the project from inception to execution, which helps keep things organized. Without this leadership, it’s easy for plans to fizzle out.

Some groups prefer a more structured approach, meeting at regular intervals. This method can offer consistency and make planning easier, but you’ll still need someone to manage recipe scaling, shopping, and equipment needs.

Shopping and Equipment

About two weeks before an event, we divvy up the shopping and equipment responsibilities. This ensures everyone knows what they need to bring, from ingredients to cooking tools. On the event day, we come together to cook and create a delightful mess in the kitchen.

Location Matters

While my group doesn’t have a designated meeting place, we often gather in the kitchens of members who have the space and equipment. Some clubs opt to rent professional kitchens for their sessions, which can be a great option for larger groups.

Essential Considerations for the Host Kitchen:

• Space: Ensure that the kitchen can accommodate your group comfortably. Making meals and maintaining freshness of ingredients depend on enough work space and a large refrigerator.  
• Accessibility: Choose a spot that is easily reachable, especially in metropolitan settings where public transportation could be needed. 
• Comfort Level: The host ought to feel at ease with having several individuals in their kitchen, as cooking in a group can lead to a certain level of disorder. A neat freak may struggle with this environment, so self-assess before volunteering your space.

3. Other Considerations

Learn How to Scale Up a Recipe

Cooking in a group often requires scaling up recipes to ensure everyone has enough to take home or eat during the session. Keep these tips in mind:

• Recipe Scaling: More than just multiplication of the components, scaling a recipe may be somewhat complex, especially with regard to baked products. Having an experienced member take charge of this task can help ensure success.
• Pre-Scaled Recipes: Whenever possible, choose recipes that are already designed for larger groups.

Be Aware of Equipment Needs

Scaling up recipes also means you may need additional equipment. Here’s what to consider:

• Essential Tools: Make sure you have enough knives, mixers, measuring spoons, and other necessary tools on hand.
• Member Contributions: Encourage members to bring small appliances or tools they own. This can help avoid the hassle of everyone trying to haul their entire kitchen over.

Establish Basic Etiquette

Cooking in a large group can lead to tense moments, especially when different cooking styles collide. Here are some etiquette tips to keep the peace:

• Communication: If you need to miss a gathering, communicate this early to allow the group time to adjust.
• Shared Responsibilities: Everyone should contribute to shopping and equipment hauling, as well as participate in cooking tasks. No one is above dishwashing or chopping onions!
• Flexible Breaks: Encourage members to take breaks as needed, which can help maintain morale and keep energy levels high.

Leave the Host Kitchen Spotless

It is mandatory to depart the host kitchen in pristine condition after a delightful culinary session. A considerate way to express gratitude for the host’s hospitality is to offer them a portion of the finished food. 

Snacks Are a Must!

Snacks can enhance the cooking experience, providing energy and enjoyment. While we don’t over-organize this aspect, everyone usually brings something to share. In order to maintain energy and a steady blood sugar level while you’re in the kitchen, it’s a good idea to bring snacks, such as homemade pickles, bread, or ….. many more options you have. 

4. Creative Ideas for Your Cooking Club

Your culinary club can be set up and run in innumerable ways: 

• Theme Nights: Plan themed evenings like Taco Tuesday or Italian Night where everyone contributes a food connected to the topic.
• Guest Chefs: Invite local chefs or culinary school teachers to impart their knowledge and new technique instruction.
• Cookbook Challenges: Select a certain cookbook to investigate together, cooking with its recipes over several months.
• Field Trips: Plan excursions to nearby markets, farms, or food events to improve your gastronomic expertise.
• Travel: Make a vacation overseas to really experience many cuisines and culinary methods. 

Difference Table for Cooking Clubs

Conclusion

Starting a cooking club might be a rewarding approach to meet others that also love food. Establishing clear rules, keeping good organization, and encouraging teamwork can help you to build a lively group based on fun and food. 

FAQs

1. How do I find members for my cooking club?

But you can begin by inviting friends, family and colleagues who have an interest in cooking. You can also take the help of social media platforms or community boards to get local food fanatics. 

2. What types of recipes are best for a cooking club?

Pick recipes that are group friendly, either since they can be quickly scaled up or those where multiple peoples’ input is needed. Anything with just a few steps or components—homemade pasta or themed dinners, for instance—is particularly fun and engaging. 

3. How can I keep my cooking club organized?

Plan ahead for the events on the day of and assign each cooking session a role, clear communication methods (like a group chat or social media page). Check ins and a shared calendar can also help you keep track of everyone and make sure everyone knows what’s going on.