Like Hansel and Gretel nibbling on the wicked witch's gingerboard cottage, those attending the "Edible Architecture" benefit on Saturday, Oct. 25, may get the opportunity to sink their teeth into succulent structures designed by the area's leading architects and designers.
"Edible Architecture -- A Taste of the New Millennium" will be presented by Yale, BKM Total Office and the Steelcase Design Partnership 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the School of Architecture, 180 York St. All proceeds from the event will benefit Rachel's Table, a volunteer-based project that collects unserved surplus food from caterers, restaurants, markets, etc., and distributes it to local shelters and soup kitchens.
To create the edible edifices that will be on display, leading architects and designers created drawings reflecting their ideas about the futuristic interiors or exteriors that will be found in the new millennium. The architects and designers will work with local chefs to translate their renderings into sculptures made from food.
One item in the show will represent the geodesic dome designed for the Volleyball Hall of Fame which will be built in Massachusetts. Another, called "Ingest the Past: Expand into the Future," will be a playful version of New Haven City Hall, topped with a chocolate bell. "Polkadot Playhouse" and "Just a Facade" are among the other architectural creations that will be constructed of jells, candies, fresh vegetables, and raw pasta. The event will feature an exhibition and reception, followed by a silent auction of the two-dimensional drawings and three-dimensional culinary creations.
"This is a first for the design community in Connecticut," says Bernie Walsh, vice president of BKM. "We feel this event will encourage innovation in design and at the same time provide benefit to the community." Among the 15-20 design firms participating in "Edible Architecture" are Milton Glaser Inc. of New York and the New Haven-based firms Cesar Pelli & Associates, Herbert Newman, and P.B. Svigals.
The first Edible Architecture event, created by the Steelcase Design Partnership, was held in New York City in 1989. Proceeds were donated to AIDS research organizations.
Rachel's Table is a local charity that is affiliated with Foodchain, the National Food Rescue Network, and sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven. Since its inception in 1992, Rachel's Table has transported 800,000 pounds of donated foods to 40 agencies in New Haven.
The Steelcase Design Partnership is a group of companies that serve special niche markets within the office furniture industry. BKM is a Steelcase dealer.
Tickets for the event are $40 in advance and $50 at the door and can be purchased by calling BKM at (203) 874-7754.