The Culinary Arts and Sustainable Agriculture Academy cooking club, a new club sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club, has just begun, setting itself apart from the academic clubs and sparking the interests of many diverse students here at Venice High.

“The programs offered at school aren’t diverse enough and a lot of them aren’t integrated with what some kids want to do,” said Ms. Tina Gruen, the teacher who began the club.

According to the club’s constitution, the purpose of the group is to expose young people to diverse cultures by creating exquisite, healthy, and savoring cuisine from different cultures while enriching their academic experience through collaboration in hands-on functional skills.

Ms. Gruen, Ms. Gertrud Kruchen, the German teacher, and Ms. Diane Pollock, the Landscape/Gardening teacher, are all assisting and volunteering for the club in hopes to make it into an academy and an optional class for incoming freshmens.

Whether it’s thought of being able to cook up a delicious dish or the loss of motivation within the academic curriculum, the club has drawn much popularity with 75 students currently enrolled according to Ms. Gruen and even more on the waiting list. Due to the lack of space and equipment, the club has currently split the members into three different groups, each participating for four weeks at a time.

“Some want to go to culinary school, some just want to cook and eat the food we make, some want to go into the business, catering, and even the politics of food production,” said Ms. Gruen.

Taking it one dish at a time, the club has so far made strawberries dipped in chocolate, panini sandwiches, and lasagna that was recently served and sold at club expo.

“I love that I could share my passion with the other kids. It’s cool to see them do what I like to do,” said Shayna Kay, a senior who will attend the Culinary Institute of America this fall and the current junior staff leader of the club.

Even with the all demand to join, the club is still open for those who are thinking of trying something different. It takes place every Thursday from 3:15 to 5:00 p.m in room 220.