Alright, welcome back to the doodle podcast, everyone. I’m Evan Hollis, and as always, I’m joined by Jill. Today, we’re diving fork-first into the world of edible artistry. Jill, I have to say, I’ve been looking forward to this one. There’s just something about food that looks too good to eat—sometimes literally.Yeah, I mean, edible art is such a wild intersection of creativity and, well, appetite. It’s not just about noodles anymore, right? We’ve talked a lot about noodle sculptures and playful plating in past episodes, but edible art has really evolved. It’s become this whole multisensory experience—sight, smell, taste, even sound sometimes. I think chefs like Grant Achatz have really pushed that boundary, making plates that are almost like little performances.Absolutely. Achatz is a great example. I remember reading about his edible balloons and those dishes that literally disappear in a puff of smoke. But, you know, I had my own little run-in with edible art a while back. There was this pop-up in London—can’t remember the name, but they served a dessert that looked exactly like a Granny Smith apple. I mean, I picked it up, expecting a crisp bite, and it just... collapsed into this creamy, tart mousse. I was so embarrassed, I nearly dropped the thing. It was almost too convincing.That’s amazing. I love when food messes with your expectations like that. It’s not just about taste, it’s about surprise and delight. And honestly, the presentation is half the experience now. I feel like, if you’re not pausing to take a photo before you eat, did you even eat it?Ha, guilty as charged. But it’s true—presentation transforms a meal into something memorable. It’s like, you’re not just eating, you’re participating in a little bit of theatre.So, let’s talk about how these edible masterpieces actually come together. I mean, some of the techniques are just mind-blowing. There’s the classic sugar work—those spun sugar cages and glassy shards. But then you’ve got chefs like Dinara Kasko, who use architecture and geometry to make cakes that look like modern sculptures. I saw one of her creations online, and I honestly couldn’t tell if it was dessert or a 3D-printed art piece.Yeah, Kasko’s stuff is wild. And then there’s Ben Churchill, who’s all about food illusions. He’ll make a dessert that looks like a bar of soap or a potted plant. It’s almost mischievous, the way he plays with your senses. I think that’s what makes edible art so fascinating—it’s not just about skill, it’s about trickery and imagination.Totally. And, okay, this is a bit of a tangent, but I was at a tech conference recently, and they had this AI-generated edible sculpture. It was, like, this weirdly organic-looking thing—almost alien. The chef used an algorithm to design the shape, then 3D-printed a mold and filled it with chocolate and edible flowers. I just stood there staring at it for, I don’t know, five minutes? It was mesmerizing. I guess it’s kind of like what we talked about in our AI doodle episode, but with food instead of sketches.That’s brilliant. It’s like the line between chef and artist is getting blurrier every year. And now, with AI in the mix, who knows what’s next? Maybe we’ll have edible art that adapts to your mood or something. I mean, I’m not sure I’m ready for a cake that judges me, but I’d try it.I’d try it too, honestly. I think the best part is how accessible some of these techniques are becoming. Like, you don’t have to be a Michelin-star chef to play around with plating or try your hand at a little food illusion at home. It’s kind of like what we said about noodle art—creativity is for everyone, even if your first attempt is, uh, less than Instagram-worthy.You know, what’s really interesting is how edible art isn’t just a Western thing. Every region seems to have its own way of turning food into a canvas. Like, Japanese kaiseki meals—those are practically edible poetry. Every dish is arranged to reflect the season, the landscape, even the mood of the chef. It’s so intentional.Yeah, and then you’ve got French patisserie, where every pastry is like a tiny sculpture. Or even, like, Indian mithai—those sweets are so colorful and ornate, and they’re tied to rituals and celebrations. Food artistry is so deeply woven into culture, it’s not just about aesthetics, it’s about meaning and tradition.Exactly. There’s symbolism in every detail. And I think, with social media, we’re seeing these traditions get remixed and shared in new ways. But I do wonder—does all this viral edible art help creativity, or does it just make everyone chase the next big trend? I mean, you see those rainbow bagels or galaxy cakes everywhere, but sometimes it feels a bit... I don’t know, performative?That’s a good point. I think it’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, social media gives artists a platform and inspires people to try new things. On the other, it can create pressure to go bigger and flashier, maybe at the expense of tradition or even taste. But maybe that’s just the nature of art evolving, right?Yeah, I suppose so. It’s like, as long as there’s room for both—the viral trends and the quiet, meaningful traditions—edible art will keep surprising us. And, well, giving us something delicious to talk about.Couldn’t agree more. I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface, but I’m already hungry. Maybe next time we’ll have to do a taste test on air—just for research, obviously.I’m all for that. Alright, that’s it for today’s episode of the doodle podcast. Thanks for joining us on this little culinary adventure. Jill, always a pleasure.Thanks, Evan. And thanks to everyone listening. We’ll catch you next time—bring your appetite!Take care, everyone. Bye for now.

Episodes

Edible Artistry