Edible Book Festival

The 8th Annual Edible Books Festival took place April 1, 2013. Check out the winners and pictures!

What is the Edible Book Festival?

Around April 1st, bibliophiles, book artists, and food lovers around the world gather to celebrate the book arts and the (literal!) ingestion of culture. Participants create an "edible book," which can be inspired by a favorite tale, involve a pun on a famous title, or simply be in the shape of a book (or scroll, or tablet, etc). All entries will be exhibited, documented, then EATEN! Photographs of all edible books will appear in the Edible Book Festival gallery.

2013 Festival Award Categories

Starting to think about your edible creation for this year's festival?

Best Depiction of a Classic
Best Visual Presentation
Most Appetizing
Funniest/Punniest
Best Entry Based on Book for Children or Teens
Best Collaborative Creation
People's Choice
Best Entry Based on a Book Adapted for Film -- In honor of guest judge and filmmaker Jennifer Bechtel, and upcoming exhibits on Casino Royale and the James Bond franchise at the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the Sousa Archives, and Spurlock Museum beginning April 12.

2013 Judges

Jennifer Bechtel, Local Filmmaker
Cleda Wang, Resident Director, University Residence Halls
Edie Stotler, Retired Business Professional, Community Volunteer, and Lifetime "Foodie"

Who can participate?

Whether you're a professional chef or just like to play with your food, the festival is open to anyone in the UIUC & Champaign-Urbana communities. For inspiration, take a look at entries from last year's event, available in the 2012 Gallery. If you don't have time to make your own edible entry, join us in admiring the delicious creations at 11:30 am!

Register for the 2013 Edible Books Festival Online [now closed until 2014!]

Schedule for the Edible Book Festival on Monday, April 1, 2013

8-10 am - Participants drop off edible entries at the University YMCA (1001 S. Wright St., Champaign - map)
10-11:30 am - Judging and photography
11:30 am - Public viewing begins
12:15 pm - Welcome and judges' commentary
12:45 pm - Eating of books!

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