Food Gawking: An Online Spectator Sport

By Sara McFarland
Editor at Large

Some people enjoy hobbies like bird watching and whale spectating. Perhaps it is the same desire to see the rare, unusual and bizarre that people also find themselves drawn to witnessing amazing food spectacles. Yes, we’ve enjoyed our fair share of the Food Network and Top Chef, but let’s face it – sometimes it’s more fun to witness the scrappier creations that have a little more “character” to them.

Without further ado, let me present a few places to witness some amazing (and amazingly bad) food masterpieces.

Insanewiches

From the “Rubix Cubewich” to a “Molecular Sandwich,” this site features the extremes of sandwich-making. After looking at some of these assembled creations, you might be inspired to go beyond cutting your sandwiches into triangles. http://www.insanewiches.com

Cakewrecks

Sometimes the downright disasters are more fun, and memorable, than the soaring triumphs. Cake Wrecks highlights “when professional cakes go horribly, hilariously wrong.” Forget the visions of perfectly-manicured wedding cakes and come see the cakes that, through miscommunication or error, didn’t quite hit the right note. http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com

Fancy Fast Food

You might not be able to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, but, as this site demonstrates, you can make an impressive, gourmet-looking meal... from fast food. The “recipes” for the transformations are provided and no extra ingredients are added (except for garnishes). http://www.fancyfastfood.com

This is Why You’re Fat

This site features pictures of creations that are spectacularly unhealthy. I can feel my LDL levels rising just from looking at the site, yet I can’t help but marvel at the calorie-laden concoctions. “Twinkie Sushi” or “Deep Fried Brat Loaf,” anyone? http://thisiswhyyourefat.com

Sara McFarland is a second-year pharmacy student.