Surprising Food

Friday 17 February 2012



Food is being created to shock at the moment with bespoke, awe-inspiring experiences available from food visionaries including Bompas & Parr, designers of the exploding wedding cake, and Alinea - who have created the world's first ever edible helium balloon.

Chefs at Chicago's Alinea Restaurant developed the balloon by using helium to blow up sugar. Dehydrated apple is used as the piece of string, served with a pin tied to the end which customers can use to pop the balloon, rather than inhaling the helium themselves.

Exploding Jelly by Bompas & Parr; photo by Ryan Hopkinson
Food architects Bompas & Parr have also been busy creating unique culinary experiences, with the launch of their Food Explosion Service for Weddings. This involves an explosives technician placing charges inside your wedding cake, which can be detonated at the climax of the ceremony for maximum effect.

WGSN-homebuildlife subscribers can read more about unique consumer experiences within food and other creative industries in our Experience Design report.