Description:

The activity Fusion Cooking, which took place in March 2021, consisted of a masterclass, a three-day workshop, and a one-day festival. It explored the aesthetic and communicative dimension of gastronomy from the standpoint of the plating process. Combining an indisciplined socratic methodology with learning by doing, the relationship between “major” senses and “minor” senses was analyzed from architecture, visual arts and design.

Then, theoretical and practical models of plating were forwarded as a tool to subvert the hierarchical aesthetics of the senses. The participants had the chance to explore different creative processes, from pencil drawing to digital constructions. This “everything goes” experience from a culturally embedded perspective gave a rise to a dish that was presented in the final festival in any desired format – from cooking to photography and creative writing. Participation was encouraged to anyone interested in experimentation and play within gastronomy, to anyone who wants to explore alternative ways to plant creatively in it – including cooks, waiters, restaurant owners, restaurant keepers, photographers and food designers between others.

Supervisor: David Casacuberta
Mentoring team: Marco Bellonzi and Neil Harbisson 

*Νο participation fee.
*The workshop was open OPEN UP to participants of any age (18+) and no prior knowledge or ability is required.
*Travel and accommodation expenses were covered by the Open Up project.