Monday March 30th marked the occasion of the Edible Book Festival 2015, the library’s ninth annual celebration of the good food we enjoy, and the great books we enjoy even more. With a turnout of over 300 attendees, the festival was roaring success, with plenty of activities to be enjoyed by all ages. Children that attended were encouraged to make art with food, using slices of potatoes, mushrooms, and other fruits and veggies to decorate a large mural that will be hung for display in the library.

Several Ivy Tech administration and staff members including Chancellor Jerrilee Mosier, Board Chair of the Regional Board of Trustees Dr. Robert Dettmer, Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Cathy Maxwell, Dean of Liberal Arts and Science, Kim Barnett-Johnson, Instructor of General Studies, Anthony Conley, Assistant Professor/Assistant Chair: Liberal Arts and Sciences English Department, Therese Leone-Unger, Assistant Professor of Hospitality Administration, Jeff Albertson, and Vice Chair of the State Board of Trustees, Paula Hughes read excerpts from their favorite food-themed pieces of literature. Everyone got funky with the Ivy Tech House Band (Randy Kimball, Media Technician and Scott Wilson, Corporate College Executive) as they checked out the main event, dishes based on books such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Lorax, and even Fifty Shades of Grey. Attendees then voted on their favorite work of culinary and literary fusion.

Once everyone had a chance to view all of the entries, then came the most important moment of the festival—time to eat! Culinary student Jenna Hapner took first prize out of the 38 contestants with her Mad Hatter cake inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. It’s never too late to start thinking about what you might be able to cook up for next year’s festival. If you need some ideas for good books or good food, why not stop by the library? (By Library Clerk, David Winn)