First Annual Oberlin Edible Book Festival
On April 1, 2024, Oberlin Public Library and Oberlin College Libraries held a community event featuring creative—and edible—literary works of art inspired by a favorite book!
2024 Winners
With such a wide assortment of literary traditions and foods represented on April 1, multiple category winners were recognized for their creativity.
- Best Depiction of a Classic: Karen Reynolds for interpretation of Frank Herbert’s Shai-Hulud from Dune
- Best Entry based on Book for Children or YA: Isabella Sherman for Sasami Nitori’s Wonder Cat Kyuu-Chan
- Best Visual Presentation: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
- Most Appetizing: Marilyn McDonald for BanAnna Creamenina with apologies to Leo Tolstoy
- Best Collaborative Creation: Rebecca Belford and Faith Hoffmann for A Sondheim Smorgasbord
- People’s Choice: Monica Olszens for The Hobbit
- Funniest/Punniest: Melissa Lyle for Alice in Wonderbread
- Grand overall Prize: Phoenix Crane for The Inkwell: Daily Specials, a series of edible book puns including Nancy Brew mysteries, Lord of the Onion Rings, and Game of Scones among others.
Prizes were provided by Mindfair Books, Oberlin Public Library, Ben Franklin 5-10, and The Friends of the Oberlin College Libraries.
About the 2024 Oberlin Edible Book Festival
Oberlin will join libraries around the world to celebrate the love of fine books and good food! The Edible Book Festival is open to everyone in the community. Individuals, groups, clubs, and school classes are all encouraged to participate. Celebrity judges will award prizes in several categories.
Details
Date: April 1, 2024
Location: StudiOC, 38 E. College St. (Upstairs), Oberlin, OH
Edible Entries Drop Off Window: 8:30am–10am
Public Viewing: 11am–Noon
Awards Announced at Noon
Tasting: 12pm–1pm
Judges: Eboni Johnson (OC ’97), STEM Librarian and President of Oberlin City Council; Danielle Skeehan, Associate Professor of English and Comparative American Studies; Joe Waltzer (OC ’98), Owner of Black River Wine Shop and Bar, and Oberlin City Council Member
Registration: Not required, but strongly encouraged for entrants. No registration necessary for all to admire and taste!
prize categories
Best Depiction of a Classic
Best Entry Based on a Book for Children or Young Adult
Best Visual Presentation
Most Appetizing
Funniest/Punniest
Best Collaborative Creation
People’s Choice
Thank you
Presented by the Oberlin Public Library and Oberlin College Libraries, and sponsored by their amazing Friends groups, with the generous help of campus and community volunteers and prize donors.
Need Inspiration?
Check out past Edible Book Festivals at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for ideas.
Friends of the Libraries
Find out how to support the Oberlin Public Library and Oberlin College Libraries.