March 28, 2013

It’s time to get cookin’ for the first annual South Whidbey Edible Book Festival.

“Lord of the Fries” is created by Cindy Yee and Sam Affolter. (Photos courtesy of Jill Yomnick)

So what in the world is an Edible Book Festival? The premise is simple. Choose a book that you love, create an edible work of art based on that book and bring your creation to the festival, compete and have fun!

Besides being a great tribute to literature and a fun way to spend an afternoon, this event is also a fundraiser for the HUB, a beloved after-school program organized by the nonprofit South Whidbey Youth Connection. The program is housed in the basement of the Langley United Methodist Church in Langley and has been providing a safe place for teens to meet for more than 20 years. But funding is needed to keep it going.

The festival fundraiser will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 30 at Bayview Community Hall with proceeds going to the HUB.

There is no fee to enter the contest, which includes the categories of “Best in Show” (voted on by all attendees), “Best Visual Presentation,” “Most Punderful,” “Most Appetizing,” “Teen” and “Children under 12.”

The Edible Book Fest has interesting history.

It began in France about 13 years ago as a festivity centered around April Fool’s Day to celebrate literature, food and art. Since then, it has been celebrated annually in places as diverse as Japan, Romania, Hong Kong and Morocco. And, at long last, the festival has found its way to Whidbey Island.

This creation is based on Stephen King’s “Pet Semetary.”

Organizer Jill Yomnick was so inspired by her Seattle experience of the event last year, she decided to bring the whimsical literary event to Whidbey.

“The festival is a quirky and smart event that is just the kind of thing Whidbey Islanders will love,” Yomnick said.

There are very few rules. Contestants can choose to create an appetizer, entrée or dessert. It can look like a book, act like a book or be a book pun in any of the six categories.

After the judging is complete, and the winners have been announced and their photographs taken, everyone is invited to gather around and dig in to feast on the delicious literary masterpieces. (Forks provided.)

All entries for the festival are due at Bayview Hall in Langley by 1:15 p.m. on Saturday. Judging and photography will take place between 2 and 3 p.m.  Admission to the festival is by donation and everyone is welcome.

If you’d like to become a sponsor or make a donation to the HUB, or for more information, visit South Whidbey Edible Book Festival on Facebook,  email southwhidbeyediblebookfestival@gmail.com or call Yomnick at 360-341-6406.