The Autistic Gourmet

Just cause I have autism, doesn’t mean I cannot enjoy gourmet cooking

Welcome,

My name is Joe Banchik. I have had autism my whole life and was diagnosed at age two. Just because I have autism, doesn’t mean I cannot cook and love gourmet food. I have a strong culinary background despite no formal training, and I have a Media BA from Indiana University with a cinema and film studies concentration. I am here to prove that autistic people do not have one-dimensional palettes, as we are stereotyped to have.

Here’s an article I was featured in about my cooking successes while having autism.

https://www.idsnews.com/article/2019/04/learning-to-trust-himself-cook-with-autism-works-toward-independence

Tips For A College Student’s First Kitchen

I recently graduated college. If you like to cook and are starting college, here are some tips I can give you.

Evaluate the kitchen in your living space. Some residence halls have kitchens, but the sizes may vary. I lived in an apartment my entire college career, so I had a bigger kitchen.
Always have an adequate supply of equipment and utensils. A saucepan, skillet, cooking utensils, and larger pots are good for starters. If you like to bake, get a baking tray and cake pan (a 9x13 pan is perfect for a group of friends).
Know what foods you and your friends like. This can help you decide on the perfect menu and recipes for you and your guests can enjoy.