I moved to Los Angeles in the Summer of 2014.  As an adult, I’ve always found it hard to make friends. It seems like the best of friends come from our youth, those we went to high school with or those we met in college. After that, it’s much more of a free for all. Do you make friends at work? Your kids’ school? (Seriously, do you have friends? Is it just me?!) Even if you come across someone you actually like in the natural world, making progress towards friendship is tricky!

“This has been a fun uber ride. Do you want to get coffee sometime?” hardly sounds like something a sane person would say. “Will you be my new friend?” also doesn’t work. The whole thing reads of dating, but with more awkwardness and less agreement on what’s acceptable.

In college, you didn’t know your roommates when you first arrived, but you were destined to spend countless hours next to one another for at least several months. This kind of repeat exposure, seeing each other again and again, seems fundamental to forming bonds. This is what’s missing in adulthood. But to see the same people even just once a week can feel like a major commitment. After all, that’s time you could spend relaxing, pursuing a hobby, or spending time with your spouse, if you even have free time at all. (I’ll confess, a few of my recipe choices for Cookbook Club have used the criteria: what’s the easiest thing I can make after work?)

This brings me back to LA. It’s early 2016 now and although I have a few acquaintances I see from time to time, I am still missing a lot of the closeness I’d desire from real friendships. But there must be a way! There has to be a way to get together with the same people, time and time again, and ultimately… ya’ know, bond.

That’s when I found it: an article all about someone’s cookbook club (thanks, internet!).

I loved the idea. Cookbook Clubs are like a way better version of book club: people get together every month and all contribute to a potluck. Instead of reading a book, everyone prepares a recipe from a selected cookbook. (And wine. There should be wine.)

The results are awesome. Lots of friends and food? Yes please! Best of all, because you’re only making a single dish (or two, if you’re a real show off) the level of commitment is acceptable for even a busy, working adult.

I decided to give it a try and committed to the idea for 6 months. I tend to be a quitter, so I needed the guideline. How’d it turn out?

Nom nom nom. That’s the sound of me chomping down on a crowd-sourced feast and washing it down with a glass of pinot. Oh, and I have at least one friend now! Mission accomplished.

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