Otis Library's cooking club explores Norwich's cultures through food: How you can join

If you’re in Otis Library on a Wednesday night, don’t be surprised if you smell delicious food around the corner.

Held on the first Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m., Otis Library’s Cultural Cooking Club is bringing people together for international food and the fun of cooking.

The idea for the cooking club came from library patron Chevelle Moss-Savage. She was a part of a cookbook club when she lived in Old Saybrook. When Moss-Savage moved to Taftville, she told a friend of hers, who then told the library, Otis Library Director Cathleen Special said.

Special then talked with Moss-Savage, and they decided on the cultural focus. A broader focus gives more things to talk about, while remaining flexible with the limited amount of copies in the state library system, she said.

“Maybe some months, we use a certain spice or something like that, so we can continue the cultural theme,” Special said.

Black, Puerto Rican food already served; Indian food next

The club first met in February, where Black food was cooked, featuring recipes from Black Food: Stories, Art & from Across the African Diaspora, edited and curated by Bryant Terry.

Puerto Rican cooking was the focus of the March meeting. It used Diasporican: A Puerto Rican Cookbook by Illyana Maisonet.

April’s theme was Korean food, using two cookbooks, The Korean Table by Taekyung Chung and Debra Samuels and Maangchi’s Big Book of Korean Cooking.

“There’s so many cultures in this city, and we’re going to try to explore all of them,” Special said.

There used to be a Korean restaurant, Namoo, next to the library where G.O.A.T.S. now is. Special liked its dishes, and others did too. While at Otis Library for an exhibit, Artist and Sculptor John Gurche, who travels all over the world, told Special Namoo was the best Korean restaurant he’s eaten at, she said.

“That was quite a kudos to them,” she said.

How the cooking club works

A month’s theme is decided based on cookbook availability and participant interest. Then, each club member chooses a recipe to make at home, while Special makes sure nobody is picking the same one. Everyone brings in their dishes, and shares with everyone, she said.

People will try foods they’ve never had before. For example, Special never had collard greens until the cooking club, and now she wants to make them on her own. With the Puerto Rican foods, there were a lot of spicy dishes, but people toned down the spice, she said.

“We’re not cooks; we’re not foodies,” Special said. “It’s just people who are interested in giving it a try and learning something.”

Meetings are always paired with music from the featured culture. There may be other activities also included.

A woman who came to the February meeting is Puerto Rican, and recommended the cookbook used for the March meeting. That night, she brought her mother, and they talked Puerto Rican culture and living in Puerto Rico, Special said.

Eight people attended the February and March sessions and April had 11 people registered, though the inclement weather kept some people at home, Special said.

Norwich resident Allana Holmes made Leaf Wraps and Rice with a sauce for the April meeting. She attended last month’s club meeting with her cousin. Holmes tried it, had fun, and wanted to come back. Holmes is always open to trying something new, she said.

“I don’t think I had a favorite,” Holmes said, talking about all the dishes. “They were all really good, and most of them were new for me.”

Creating connections

The Cultural Cooking Club also fits into the library’s efforts to host more social activities to prevent loneliness. Holmes likes meeting new people in these activities, she said.

“Everybody comes from different backgrounds and you’re sharing things,” Holmes said. “That, later on, might turn into friendships, so it’s a great start.”

For May, the Cultural Cooking Club will make Indian food, but the cookbook is yet to be determined. Anyone interested in attending can sign up at Otis Library or on its website, Special said.

“There’s very nice people. They’re very welcoming and friendly, and its fun to try new foods,” she said.

Holmes understands how a cooking club can sound intimidating at first. However, there’s no pressure, and you might have some fun she said.

“Why not come and check it out,” she said.

Perhaps the Cultural Cooking Club could compile its own cookbook by taking all of its favorite recipes and putting its own twist on them, Holmes said.

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This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Cultural Cooking Club brings people and food together at library