You Can't Do That At Home

When I flip through the pages of any given food magazine I am always mesmerized by the amazing photographs and immediately develop a heated desire to eat everything I see (it wasn't a lie when I previously noted I am an advertiser's dream). After I wipe the drool from my face and set out to make the food in whatever recipe I settle on, more often than not I end up disappointed as it rarely (and I use that term loosely) looks quite as glamorous as it does in the photograph. Of course that never stops me from eating it!

I attended a seminar on the art of food styling earlier this week, and thankfully have a much clearer understanding of why my past attempts to re-create the food I have seen in these magazines never stood a chance. Just as models' imperfections are airbrushed in fashion magazines, professional food stylists work to "control" the imperfections in food, and the photographs are ultimately edited, resulting in a final product that the home cook would never be able to achieve without knowing the tricks of the trade. Food stylists are paid to ensure the food is presented in a manner that is visually appealing to the targeted consumer. Given the number of food magazines in today's market, I must say to these food stylists- Job well done!

I'll use cereal, a food anyone can assemble, as an example. There are numerous magazines that display cereal advertisements in which you see a beaufiful splash of milk appearing to pop off the page just as the milk is poured into a bowl of crisp flakes topped with bright juicy berries. These advertisements are incredibly inviting, and cause me (much to my husband's dismay) to suggest cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is a reason the cereal looks so delectable- the food stylist specifically created a scene that entices the consumer to desire bowl after bowl of cereal. First, the cereal bowl is partially filled with Crisco. The spoon is placed on top of the Crisco and the cereal flakes (only the lucky flakes with character- crispy, with depth) are arranged in strategic position to cover the Crisco and a portion of the spoon. Wildroot Hair Tonic is poured around the flakes to resemble fresh milk. Lastly, the berries and splash of milk must be added. Surprise- the milk splash isn't real, and depending on the season, the berries probably aren't either. A good quality handmade, fake milk splash can retail anywhere between $250.00-$850.00 depending on its size.

Disappointing home assembled cereal-


The next time I pick up a magazine and attempt to re-create a beautifully presented dish (or even less- a splash of milk), I will forego dissapointment and remember to tell myself- you can't do that at home.