Review of "Harvest: Art, Film + Food"

I love art. Not only do I try to do lots of it but I have a deep appreciation for the creative process. I am creative with every cell of my dreamy Piscearian soul. Which is probably what attracted me to pick up Harvest: Art, Film + Food, at my local library. Food and art are a pretty good mix for someone like me.

This book is a tribute to the exhibition of the same name, which showcased food in three mediums. Artworks which you look at, culinary art which you may eat and on film as cultural, emotional or historically valuable storytelling.

This book is beautiful. Presented with a home grown, rustic textured cover and wholesome feeling texts. It feels as if the book itself was freshly picked from your local farm. I recommend reading a copy if not for the history and photography, at least for the artisan style, hand crafted recipes from some of Australia’s top chefs.

My favourite culinary art additions include Ryan Squires (Esquire, Brisbane) Ketchup, Brenda Fawdon's (Mondo Organics, Brisbane) Chocolate Dandelion Pudding and Alejandro Cancino’s (Urbane, Brisbane) Stanthorpe Pink Lady Apple recipe. Each recipe is complimented by a small introduction offering you insight to the chefs ethos and why it belongs in the Harvest exhibition.

For the Stanthorpe Apple recipe Alejandro’s was inspired by his efforts to reduce waste and shares 5 ways to use an entire apple. The finished dish is a delightful baby apple dessert adorned with a cheery fennel top. Great for a dinner party but if your a home cook and just want to make something fun for the family, then each element may be prepared separately as apple chips, meringue, sorbet, puree and a juice.

The book is about food yes. But not just cooking or eating it. It’s more about how food and ingredients can be appreciated as simple farm grown produce that brings people together. And how food parallels social changes. Both influencing and being influenced by history. From war rationing to instant convenience packaging. Food, history and culture are all intertwined and presented in this lovely exhibition and book. Which is about food, but not really.

Krystal :)

Click to link to: The Book, The Exhibition or The Film List