The familiar ding of a cooking timer accompanied by the evocative aroma of freshly-made baked goods awakens everyone’s inner five-year-old instinct to frantically run to the radiating oven to see what kind of sweet treat awaits them. Since the dawn of time, while cooking methods and diets have evolved, the appeal and comfort of good food is timeless.

For some, cooking is an escape from stress. Junior Desmond Giang said, “I liked cooking ever since I was little. It relieves most of my stress that I have pent up through the day. My parents are the main the reason why I started cooking.” Giang says he cooks for his parents and when given the ingredients and items, Giang puts use of his culinary skills in the kitchen and finds it liberating. His fondness of cooking is something that has grown over time. “I just [kind of] happened to find items in the kitchen and follow recipes and from there on I just began to find cooking stress-relieving.”

For English teacher Faye Takushi, the excitement and cheerful responses from whom she cooks for is what she finds most enjoyable. “I’d never spend time cooking for myself and I often don’t really eat what I make, so it must be something about what food brings to my family and friends…and students.” Like Giang, Takushi’s penchant for cooking goes all the way from her childhood. It was in middle school when Takushi baked a banana pie for her home economics class and got rave reviews.

Takushi doesn’t see herself as a “gourmet” cook. She said, “I like making local Japanese comfort food: chicken katsu and curry, sukiyaki, and oyako donburri.” She adds, “Desserts are the most fun, but I’ve cut back since learning how terrible sugar is for one’s health.”

“I’d never spend time cooking for myself and I often don’t really eat what I make, so it must be something about what food brings to my family and friends…and students.”

Bey Thompson, also a junior, enjoys making vegan meals from recipes found online. “I like making Korean vegan recipes from time to time,” she said. Dishes like spicy rice cake are one of her personal favorites. Thompson’s appreciation for cooking has increased since turning to the Internet as a recipe resource.

For all these cooks, food is also nourishment for the soul. Social Science department chair Lynne Nakano, a fan of Giang’s creations, appreciates the sweets he bakes for his AP United States History class. “Both I and his classmates really are thankful for what he contributes. It adds a bit of sweetness in our daily routine.”