Disgusting or delicious? The creations of food illusionist Ben Churchill
A full ashtray with stubbed-out cigarette butts—disgusting? Think again! Chef and food illusionist Ben Churchill creates stunning and confusing desserts such as rotten oranges and edible ashtrays. Nothing is what it seems.
Ben Churchill has been a chef for around ten years. But three years ago, he developed a taste for desserts. Not apple pies, double custard and dame blanche, because Ben wanted to do something different from everyone else. And he succeeded. The desserts created by this chef and food illusionist look anything but appetizing, yet we can’t stop watching.
An ashtray with extra sauce, please
This isn’t a joke, but something you could actually order at Churchill’s. With your eyes closed, a delicious dessert; with your eyes open, one of your biggest nightmares.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByhvvNpA4oA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Wondering how far this food illusionist can go? Very far! A scouring sponge, ashtray and even a chicken sashimi cupcake—nothing is too crazy for Ben (read: too disgusting). And every single one of them tastes delicious. His ashtray with burned-out cigarettes is made from vanilla panna cotta, smoked lapsang gel, meringue powder and chocolate. And panna cotta just happens to be our guilty pleasure.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoE4PKzH5tv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Confusion is at the heart of this food illusionist’s work. His creations look so real that you only realize they’re actually desserts when you stick your fork into one. For example, he also makes pizzas and hot dogs. But take a bite of this fast food and that, too, tastes like sweet pastry.
DIY
He posts all his creations on Instagram, and we could binge-watch his how-to videos for days. In his book Food Illusions vol. 1, he explains how he does it, with useful recipes for the home cook.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmWCrhbF21m/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
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