On April 4th, UCLA Library hosted its sixth annual Edible Book Festival, celebrating the edible form of the written word. The festival also honors Judith Hoffberg, who donated much of the Arts Library's artists' books collection.
Individuals and groups from across campus were invited to Powell Library to submit their entries in categories such as Most Creative, Best Tasting and—new for 2014— Healthiest Edible Book.
Judges this year included Jonathan Gold, Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic for the LA Times, who spent much of his undergraduate UCLA career in the library.
"I used to live in Powell when I was a student," Gold said, adding that his late mother, Judy Gold, completed her Master of Library and Information Science degree at UCLA before serving as librarian at Dorsey High School in Los Angeles for 25 years.
"I used to live in Powell when I was a student," Gold said, adding that his late mother, Judy Gold, completed her Master of Library and Information Science degree at UCLA before serving as librarian at Dorsey High School in Los Angeles for 25 years.
Entries ranged from hilarious (the doomsday melting snowmen from "Calvin and Hobbes"—with a nod to finals week) to the heartwarming (the cover of the popular "If You Give a Mouse A Cookie" with an edible mouse replica seated in front).
Participant Kate Malay entered a focaccia with cheeses to mimic the Salinas Valley in John Steinbeck's "East of Eden." Her savory landscape even included five marmalades representing each of the five major characters.
"I went local with as many ingredients as I could," said Malay. "There's a hint of herbs from my garden."