edible notables
DEVOUR A BOOK
Edible Book Fest returns to the Incline Village library.
WRITTEN BY CASSIE WALDER
PHOTOS BY CANDICE VIVIEN
The 2017 winning entry in the Adult Most Creative Category was Every Dog Needs a Man of His Own,
dog cupcakes by Lucy Roman, inspired by Susan Wilson’s book, A Man of His Own
Do you like green eggs and ham? You just might find a plate of it next to a copy of the famous Dr. Seuss children’s book at the upcoming Edible Book Fest in Incline Village. The annual event, now in its fifth year, marries literary love with culinary creativity, and it gives patrons an opportunity to showcase cooked dishes incorporating foods based on their favorite book titles, either interpreted literally or tongue in cheek.
Past events have featured winning dishes such as the Slices of the Lamb (based on The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris) and a roasted chicken wing dish titled The Lord of the Wings (based on the book The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien). Other past winners include a honey cake with the word Secret elegantly scrolled on it — a reference to the book The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.
“Some did Jurassic Park (written by Michael Crichton) and made [a dish called] Jurassic Pork and had pulled pork sandwiches,” says Amanda Mongolo, programs and outreach librarian at the Incline Village branch of the Washoe County Library System. “It is a creative, fun, community-gathering event here at the library that really is a culinary celebration of the book.”
Three-year-old Patrick Lang samples food at the annual Edible Book Fest in Incline Village
Cooking up competition
The event is a local take on the International Edible Book Festival, held annually about April 1, commemorating the birthday of French gourmet Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, who was famous for his book Physiologie du goût (The Physiology of Taste), a witty meditation on food.
Entries in the Edible Book Fest must abide by several rules: They may not include raw eggs or raw meat, must be PG or PG-13 rated, and should still be edible after being on display for about two hours. Common allergy ingredients must be listed on an accompanying printout along with a description of how the food relates to the book. The creators of the tastiest treats probably will be asked to provide their recipes, so participants are encouraged to bring printed recipe cards to hand out at the event.
“It’s just a fun evening where the community gets together at the library; it is a real draw,” Mongolo says. “Young and old, we gather to eat and get to know one another.”
Tasting judges will be on hand at the event to decide which dishes are the most creative and best tasting, in both the adult and youth categories. But even without a judges’ award, area residents will find this a great opportunity to meet new neighbors, discuss literature, and swap recipes over some light bites. And the best part? It’s free to enter the contest, or even just show up and taste.
Cassie Walder is a Squaw Valley-based freelance journalist who spent more than a decade as a television news anchor and journalist for ABC. As a writer, she not only has a passion for food, but also local government and community issues. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her creating in the kitchen, exploring in Europe, or hiking the Rubicon Trail.
Amanda Mongolo enjoys a plate of food at the Edible Book Fest
Resources
Edible Book Fest
5:30 – 7 p.m. Mon., April 2
Washoe County Library System, Incline Village branch
845 Alder Ave., Incline Village
Anyone who likes to read, eat, meet, and greet is welcome at this event. To enter a dish, sign up at the library or email Amanda Mongolo at Amongolo@washoecounty.us.
