Library Exhibition Brings New Meaning to the Phrase ‘Cooking the Books’

I try never to pass up a free meal, so I regretted missing the recent International Edible Book Exhibition at the Long Beach library.

Nine artists munched on their works, whose covers and pages were constructed out of such materials as cookie dough, tortillas, and raw vegetables. Licorice was a popular binding.

One peanut-butter-and-sesame-seed tome contained a letter on each page, eventually spelling out “OPEN SESAME.” (At last -- one book I wouldn’t leave unread!)

While the public was invited to the free event, art department librarian Ruth Stewart said that only the artists bit into the works.

“We didn’t want the public to participate because of liability,” she explained. “We didn’t want the public eating strange things.”

Tasteful literature (cont.): Each artist was compelled to take only one bite out of his or her work, Stewart said, “just to prove it was edible.” Some took the rest home in doggie bags; others chose to discard the remains.

Tea and pastries, meanwhile, were served to the spectators.

“They probably ate better than the artists,” Stewart quipped.

How it was cooked up: The edible-books movement was originated by Judith Hoffberg, a Santa Monica editor and publisher, after a big Thanksgiving dinner with a group of artist friends.

The others weren’t immediately enthusiastic (perhaps because they didn’t want to think about food). But Hoffberg spread the word by e-mail, and the event is now held in several countries around April 1 -- “because April Fools’ Day is outrageous,” Hoffberg said.

Past entrants can be seen (if not eaten) at www.colophon. com/ediblebooks/photos.html, including Boulder artist Jeff Becker’s tribute to a beverage (see photo).

Speaking of dining: Bob Hardman of Orange read about a skin-care salon that promised to massage your meals -- and, I guess, peel your pumpkin! (see accompanying).

People food: Steve Wagner spotted a tragic report about a dozen fishermen who were hooked (see accompanying). Wonder what they bit on?

miscelLAny: The Marina del Rey law firm of Berger, Kahn, Shafton, Moss, Figler, Simon & Gladstone has shortened its name to Berger Kahn.

One partner joked that the change would save the office “a lot of ink and toner” when printing documents with the firm’s letterhead.

And the receptionist won’t be bogged down reciting seven names time after time. I just hope that no callers hear the name “Berger Kahn” and confuse it with a certain competitor of McDonald’s and Jack in the Box.

Maybe I’ve done too many food items today.

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Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LA-TIMES, ext. 77083, by fax at (213) 237-4712, by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012 and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.