The 14th Annual Edible Book Festival, sponsored by the University Library at the University of Illinois and Common Ground Food Co-operative, will be held April 6. The campus and local community are invited to experience this unique intersection of literature and cuisine.
This year’s festival takes place at Lincoln Square Mall, 201 Lincoln Square, Urbana. Public viewing begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by the awards ceremony at noon. Consumption of the festival entries begins at 12:30 p.m.
Edible art entries have a connection to books as shapes or content. Prizes will be awarded for the best culinary creations, which will be displayed, judged and consumed. “A Wrinkle in Thyme,” “Catcher in the Rye”and “If You Give a Pig a Pancake” were among the entries last year.
“This year, we’re introducing some new features such as a 50/50 raffle in order to raise money for the Eastern Illinois Foodbank. It’s such a vital part of our community, and they can turn $10 into 50 meals, so donations really go a long way,” said Sarah Christensen, a visual resources and outreach specialist for the library and coordinator of the festival. “We’ll still have our standard judging categories such as best depiction of a classic, best visual presentation, most appetizing, punniest, best entry based on a book for children or teens, best collaborative creation and, of course, the People’s Choice Award. Judges also typically make up their own categories on the spot to acknowledge all of the creativity they see.”
Judges will include Tricia Duzan, a program and events specialist at Champaign Public Library; Joan Friedman, a friend of the University Library; and A.J. Taylor, a Ph.D. student in food science and human nutrition.
The festival pays homage to the International Edible Book Festival. This annual event, held around April 1, celebrates the birthday of French gastronome Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826), famous for his book “Physiologie du gout” – a witty meditation on food. This ephemeral global banquet allows anyone to preserve and discover unique bookish nourishments.
More information about the festival is available online.
