Food as Art?

Lately, I have been spending a lot of my free time thinking about art, mainly painting, but nonetheless the question that keeps rolling through my head is "What is Art?" It is very easy to not notice that all of the beautiful art around us every day that isn't even meant to be art, it just is.  One of my yoga teachers describes the practice of yoga as art which I never considered before. However, it truly is a masterpiece when you are able to move your body into these exquisite poses that resemble dance and have the euphoric freeing of the mind. Yes, that is art!

So, can food be considered art too? I am not talking about creating a swan out of an apple or that silly picture of the banana and the orange dressed like jailbirds trying to flee the prison walls - I am referring to the creative energy that it takes to create a dish, executing your vision and putting any finishing touches on your creation.  To me, this is a form of art. Expressing yourself through a dish is the same thing as painting a canvas - you want to have your audience or guests to feel your energy through your art.  A friend of mine recently asked me to paint something based on the title that was given to me (which I have not done yet!) but how much fun would this be to do with food?  In my industry, clients are always throwing out "themes" for their menus such as Mexican, Retro, etc. but what wouldn't it be a creative challenge to create a menu based on philosophy? So here goes......

"Treat Others the Way You Would Want to Be Treated" Party!

Cocktail: The Golden Apple Martini a.k.a. The Golden Rule-tini

Amazing Truffled Macaroni and Cheese
(You wouldn't want to be served anything less than fabulous at your guests house, so why not serve a universal delicacy to your guests at your house?)
"Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself." – Confucius

Wise Sage Rubbed Smoked Turkey Breast with Wild Blueberry Chutney
(I chose Turkey because it always think of Thanksgiving and the importance of being grateful for life and Blueberries as they prolong our health!)
"The sage has no interest of his own, but takes the interests of the people as his own. He is kind to the kind; he is also kind to the unkind: for Virtue is kind. He is faithful to the faithful; he is also faithful to the unfaithful: for Virtue is faithful." –Laozi

 The Neighbor's Garden Mustard Greens with Bacon and Garlic
        - and make sure they are invited for dinner! :)
(Any Southern food, especially greens, is exceptionally popular right now!)
Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain, and your neighbor's loss as your own loss." -Laozi

Dark Chocolate Pot de Creme with Spiked Whipped Cream
         - NOT BORING OLD FLAN! Serve chocolate people! :)
"Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing." – Thales




To me, this is a form of art - creating something beautiful with a meaning! Let me know if anyone comes up with any other fun ideas for ways to create art with food!

LOTS OF LOVE!
~Kim