Sinclair Community College is full of students of different talents, origins and background stories. One of which is Joash Cook, a culinary arts student with a passion for living life to the fullest by trying new things.
Cook was born here in the United States from a Panamanian mother and an Irish Father. Being biracial has made Cook subject to several racial slurs and rude comments but his response is:
“My mother is from Central America and my father is from Wells, Scotland. I’ve got a little bit of everything and that is why I have an open mind to everything….my culture is always changing and something I will always want to know more about.”
Cooks diverse background and family history have influenced several of his traits, hobbies and interests. Some of Cook’s interests are trying different foods, traveling to new places and moviegoing.
In fact, his enthusiasm for trying new foods has influenced the creation of his motto “I am dumb enough to try anything once.”
Trying new foods and cooking different recipes correlates with Joash’s last name, Cook, so I asked if his family background played a key role in his choice of major
His response was: “Yes, for the reason that every Sunday, we went to grandma’s for Sunday dinner. My favorite meal, on my dad’s side of the family, is chicken and dumplings, you can go to other places and get chicken and dumplings, but it will never taste like my grandmother’s because nobody knows the secret (recipe)…. but I do.”
When asked if he would ever attempt the recipe to carry on the tradition, he said:
“I can carry on tradition with other things. That’s something I [would not] attempt because I don’t want to mess up what I had.”
Another interest in Cook is moviegoing. Some of his favorites include the “Transformers” and “Marvel” Series.
He mentions that “After watching my favorite movies, I like to collect them, but I collect them in a method because I can’t have incomplete sets.”
When asked how he maintains storage space with such a growing collection, Cook said: “Currently, my parents don’t like me because I have taken up their whole tv stand, bookshelf and a couple other hiding stops.”
Outside of trying new foods and watching movies, Cook has picked up the hobby of volunteering at the animal shelter. He states “… In my free time, I volunteer…three to four days a week…these are dogs that have been abused… they just want to feel a little bit of love.”
In conclusion, Joash Cook is a man of many interests and possess a vast knowledge. After graduating from Sinclair, Cook would like to travel to try new foods, experience different cultures and possibly own or be a part of a three-star restaurant.
He has already started his aspiration of traveling by venturing to Panama and witnessing the skill of traditional fishing as well as visiting the Bahamas.
Angel Hopson-Woods
Reporter