I’d be lying if I didn’t mention that I’m a little obsessed with Edith’s blog and short stories, which walk the fine line between dark and hilarious. And it was through poking around the archives of her site that I discovered her other talent – hysterical food art.

Edith answered our questions on how she got started, finding inspiration in the produce aisle and why parsnips are awesome.

1.) How did you get started doing food art/food sculptures?

There was this slideshow on the New York Times with this broccoli poodle eating from a half-tomato food dish and it just blew me away. I imitated it with a joke food art thing – this ambiguous animal carved out of a cucumber – that was supposed to be funny because of how bad it was. Then a couple months later I was home alone and was just like, that’s what I want to do, I want to try that for real.

2.) Do you always bring the best platters to parties? Do your friends make requests?

No. I’m not a very good cook, sadly. But I try sometimes! And I don’t get a lot of requests, although one friend asked me to carve her face out of a potato and I said I would, but I never did. (Sorry, Ada.)

3.) I saw at one point that you were selling photos of your sculptures on Etsy, do you still do that? Why or why not?

I am! I had a handful, sold a few, and then a couple months ago I went back to the site and my account had disappeared. I guess there’s like a six month lifespan for items.  But if anyone wants a print, just let me know – I can make one.

4.) Where does your inspiration come from?

Standing in the produce section and asking myself, “What do these things remind me of?” Usually they all remind me of heads or hands.

5.) What tools do you use?

This fancy little extra-sharp green knife I got at a cooking store. It cuts me sometimes!

6.) What is your favorite food to work with?

I try to switch it up so I don’t keep using the same stuff. I do like parsnips, though. Very hardy and forgiving.

7.) What piece are you most proud of?

Technically, probably the praying mantis. Personally I like “Alien in my Closet.” I made myself laugh when I was setting it up alone in my house.

8.) Did this develop from a love of cooking? Is it related to cooking at all?

No, sadly.

9.) Do you have any food art heroes?

The dude who did the gallery in the Times and that girl who does the insane bento boxes. Actually there’s a bunch of people who do ridiculous bento boxes, and they’re all so good. Like, off the charts. Pretty much everything on here. Oh, and the woman who recreates paintings with food.  She’s amazing – Ju Duoqi.

10.) What is the Mt. Kilomanjaro of your food art – that one impossible summit you hope to make one day?

I’ve always wanted to do a full human skeleton. Maybe out of parsnips.

11.) Do you normally get it right the first time or do you have to practice on a sacrificial veggie or fruit?

If I don’t get it right the first time, I usually just make a dramatic gesture of throwing it away. Even though no one is around to see it.