Every year when the Art of Food comes around at the Carnegie in Covington they have a marvelous opening night event.  I know this from pictures I see and stories I hear, but alas, until this year I had never been.  Each year I had some sort of conflict or another.  This year was no exception.  Friday night we were busy with this, that and the other.  My plate was full.  But at 6pm (coincidentally the same time the reception started) I decided to chuck the to-do list and go to the Art of Food reception.  In no time at all I had gotten myself and my date dressed up and ready to go.  I decided that the perfect date for the evening would be Max.  We were due for a mother-son night.  Plus he’s the most adventurous eater in the family.

Here’s a description of the Art of Food from the Carnegie’s website:Art of Food with Max

The Art of Food is our annual exhibition of artistic culinary creations by visual artists and top chefs from the area. Artists use food as their inspiration to create works of art. Many of the pieces are actually made of food. Chefs use their creative powers to design unique dishes that are artistic and eatable for guests to enjoy. A great opportunity to engage your senses with a culinary experience you’ll be talking about for months to come.

The Art of Food event is a feast for the senses.  This year they had a Mad Hatter Tea Party theme going on, complete with characters strolling the party, small “drink me” bottles being handed out and a long table set for a tea party right in the middle of the room.  Words cannot describe how much I loved this event.  Max and I were both in awe of the food, decor, shenanigans of the characters, and the fantastic food-related works of art.  Instead of trying to tell you more about it, I’m going to use my pictures to tell the story of the evening.

The Art of Food:

Art of Food White RabbitThe White Rabbit

Art of Food Otto'sRainbow Cake from Otto’s

Art of Food McDonald'sYou just don’t see these guys too often anymore!

Art of Food Mad HatterMad Hatter & The Door Mouse

Art of Food Jake SpeedJake Speed (and Tweedledee & Tweedledum)

Art of Food Drink MeTaller or Shorter?

Art of Food CharactersQueen of Hearts, Alice, The Tweedles and the DoDo Bird

Art of Food BalconyView from above…

179Jean Robert & friend with some amazing Duck concoction from Table.  It was sort of crowded at the tables, and I can’t remember all of the food descriptions.  But this dish was mouthwateringly delicious.

Art of Food Door MouseMax figured out a way to wake the Door Mouse

Art of Food CupcakesCupcakes!

Art of Food KnivesKnives.  Max’s favorite artwork at the event, made by Eric Brass.

Art of Food TableMax found himself a front row seat at the Mad Hatter’s table

While the Art of Food event is a once a year happening, you can see the food-related masterpieces in the Art of Food exhibit at the Carnegie until March 15th.

Thanks to http://5chw4r7z.blogspot.com/ for taking the cute picture of Max and I at this event.  The rest of the photos were taken by me.