How Artistic is YOUR Food?

After looking at the creations that Leah Rosenberg of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has made, I look at my food photos and think, “I think I could’a done better.”  Aren’t these dishes clever?

Leah was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan but was raised in Canada.  She’s a painter, sculptor and cake maker.  Isn’t that a fantastic combination?  Those of us who have food blogs often use our food as our creative outlet and Leah’s gone about it in a really big way.

Her paintings, paint-based sculptures and even her cakes have been exhibited throughout the US and Canada.  She currently works at the SF MOMA as one of a trio of pastry chefs at the Blue Bottle Coffee rooftop garden café at the museum.

The chefs create desserts and savory dishes based on the rotating artworks in the museum’s collection as well as from those in the touring exhibitions.  The minute I saw them I knew I had to share them with you.  I’d love to make gorgeous food like this.  Maybe I need two art degrees like Leah has?

How about hot chocolate from Buckminster (Bucky) Fuller?

Her work was so popular she was invited to produce a book Modern Art Desserts, which came out just last week. (written by Caitlin Freeman, published by Ten Speed Press)  Leah made the Mondrian cakes with Tess and she said it was a good thing that Tess is left handed so they didn’t elbow each other.

I can’t imagine the work they put in to get these cakes ready for people to eat.  In the photo of Leah upper left, you might think that was a piece of art she’s working on but no…  that’s her iPhone that fell into the ganache.

Here’s a video of Leah and her work.  It’s only a few minutes and worth a peek.  If you have time, check out their blog at Blue Bottle Coffee and scroll right on down to April 10th and look at the banana.  No wonder she was on the floor “inconsolable.”

Her satisfaction really comes from watching others viewing and enjoying her creations.