Edible Architecture Exhibition to be Held at Yale, Proceeds to Benefit New Haven Food Rescue Project

Yale University, BKM Total Office and the Steelcase Design Partnership will host “Edible Architecture – A Taste of the New Millenium,” on Saturday, Oct. 25, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Yale 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 architecture, leading architects and designers have been asked to envision buildings in the new millenium and create drawings that reflect their ideas of futuristic interiors or exteriors. Among the 20 participating design firms are Milton Glaser Inc. of New York and Cesar Pelli & Associates, Peter Newman, and Barry Svigals, all of New Haven. Architects and designers will work with local chefs to translate their renderings into sculptures made from food.

The event will feature an exhibition and reception, followed by a silent auction of the two-dimensional drawings and three-dimensional creations.

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. There will be “Polkadot Playhouse,” “Just a Facade,” and other constructions made of gels, candies, fresh vegetables, and raw pasta.

“This is a first for the design community in Connecticut,” said 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.”

The first Edible Architecture event, created by the Steelcase Design Partnership, was held in New York City in 1989. Architects and designers created images that were expressed in three-dimensional desserts by some of New York’s leading bakers, pastry chefs and food stylists. Proceeds were donated to AIDS research organizations.

Rachel’s Table is a local charity 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 thousand pounds of donated foods to 40 agencies serving New Haven’s needy.

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.