Imagine this: You’re a college student, and your culinary repertoire extends no further than microwaving instant noodles or ordering takeout. Familiar, right? You’re not alone. Many times, fellow students have asked, “Where can I cook on this campus?” It’s a valid concern. While some dorms have well-equipped kitchens, others fall short in the culinary department. Seniors living off-campus manage their kitchens, but for freshmen and sophomores, circumstances limit the development of their culinary skills.
I insist that culinary skills are as important as swimming. Consider this: some universities, such as Columbia University, Williams College, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), require students to take swimming courses or tests. While I’m not suggesting a mandatory cooking test at Tufts, it’s time to emphasize the life-sustaining importance of culinary skills. Let’s upgrade on-campus kitchens for greater cooking convenience. And speaking of support, I always knew I could get help from my paper writer on Papertyper.net when I needed to write an essay, even when I was short on time.
Recently, I prepared dinner for close friends and discovered that out of six guests, only two had culinary skills. This prompted me to ask, “Why doesn’t Tufts offer a ‘Cooking 101’ course?” Culinary schools exist, but not everyone needs formal training. What about students who want to learn how to prepare simple dishes like chicken? The basics of cooking should be an integral part of a university education.
While becoming the next “Iron Chef” may be a distant dream for most students, mastering cooking for personal or friend-oriented purposes is an achievable goal. Why not surprise a partner with a homemade meal cooked in the dormitory kitchen instead of going out to a restaurant? The effort is what matters, even if you don’t earn a Michelin star. Some may argue that my culinary ideals don’t align with those of the typical student, but in the face of economic instability, mastering the fundamentals of cooking becomes incredibly important.
Last year, I co-founded the Tufts Culinary Society with my friend Alix Boulud, and although it didn’t take off quickly, we had a vision and a desire to change attitudes toward food and cooking. This year, the number of participants grew rapidly, surprising us. Students have a great interest in this topic, but many hesitate to venture into their kitchens and start cooking.
What causes this hesitation? Perhaps their parents never cooked, they have limited access to a kitchen, or past culinary experiments ended in disaster. Time constraints or a lack of knowledge in the culinary arts may deter many. But in today’s world, making excuses for a lack of culinary skills is not an option. Anyone can learn to cook; practice hones this skill.
After completing your education at Tufts, it’s essential to consider your culinary future. Relying on dining halls and pizzerias can lead to a life of ready-made meals and constant food delivery orders. This is not only expensive but quickly becomes monotonous. Put on your culinary hat and head to the kitchen (or your friend’s less messy one). Mistakes are an integral part of the learning process. Don’t despair if your omelet or cake turns out unusually. It’s part of the culinary journey. Initial chaos transforms into culinary expertise through practice. Good luck!
