What most clubs don’t quite pull off in four years, NOHO Cooks at North Hollywood High School has managed in one: forging a family that really transcends traditional social boundaries. A boisterous assembly of 50 students on average per meeting, this cooking ensemble is now one of the biggest student organizations on campus—an obvious testament to the fact that indeed, food brings people together.
“Ever since I was a kid, I always loved cooking. As soon as I heard about high school clubs, I knew, immediately, that I wanted to start a cooking club,” says Club President Benjamin Rodda. “I’m so glad to see how much the club has progressed, becoming as popular and successful as it is.”
The club’s success lies in its approach to student engagement. Every Wednesday, during club meetings, club members bring all different types of food for a club potluck. Students showcase their culinary creations, from traditional family dishes to experimental cuisine. “A few weeks ago we had a member bring in Kimchi fried rice made from her mom’s recipe,” Rodda recounts. This approach has created a welcoming atmosphere where students can enjoy and learn about many different cultures and types of foods, including the taste.
The club also organizes hands-on cooking events that introduce members to many types of cooking skills. “Last week, members attended a workshop on how to ferment pickles. Students made their own salt solutions, experimented with spice mixes, and then left the pickles fermenting over the weekend,” says Vice President Emily Mekpongsatorn. With events like these, club members even walk away with newfound knowledge of food science.
The club’s yearly pie-making competition has grown to be a much-anticipated occasion on campus. Members create their own pies for the annual pie-making competition, and the finest are chosen by a team of teachers. Only a few months ago, the week before Thanksgiving 2024, contestants vied for the greatest pie invention, which would earn them a $20 gift card. “For us, it’s not really about winning,” explains Rodda. “It’s about stretching our creativity and learning different techniques from the other people.”
Beyond the kitchen, students report that NOHO Cooks has improved their “time management skills, increased their understanding of nutrition, and strengthened their relationships with others,” according to Rodda.
“Now that I’m a board member of NOHO Cooks, it’s given me a position where I can share my passion of cooking with others,” says Junior Isabella Batts. “I’m so happy to have been given this opportunity to help build this kind of community”. For many, the club has turned into a safe space where friendships are made and food serves as a means of self-expression.
To North Hollywood High, NOHO Cooks is more than a bunch of kids who love to eat; it’s a living, breathing example of how shared passions can build bridges, forge friendships, and change lives. And in one year, they proved that sometimes the most revolutionary changes start with something as simple as sharing a meal.
