MOFAD and SAVEUR Join Forces for a Food Photography Exhibit

Called Feasts and Festivals, the exhibit showcases imagery from the SAVEUR archives to show how food plays a central role in gatherings around the world

By SAVEUR Editors

Published on November 14, 2017

Last week, Saveur kicked off a three-month program series and pop-up photography exhibit with the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD). Called Feasts and Festivals, the photography explores food's central role in celebrations, religious festivals, and family traditions around the world.

To celebrate the opening, MOFAD hosted a festive Day of the Dead party in conjuction with the Mexican Cultural Institute that included a community altar that guests were encouraged to contribute photos of their deceased loved ones, Mexican hot chocolate from Hernan, bites from Roberto Santibanez's Fonda, pan de muertos from La Newyorkina, mezcal from Peloton de la Muerte, and bubbly from Champagne Taittinger.

Sorting through thousands of images in Saveur's archives to select twelve representing feasts and festivals around the world was no easy task. The result is a globe-trotting collection of moments ranging from a Buddhist monk's solo midday meal at a temple shot by William Hereford to a capture by our own Michelle Heimerman of a few of the four million women that pilgrimaged to Trivandrum, India to cook a sweet rice porridge as an offering to a Hindu Goddess.

Other more familiar holidays are also on display, from a food-filled wine festival that takes place on New Years Eve in southwest France shot by David Yoder to a [family breaking fast during Ramadan in the United Arab Emirates shot by Jason Lowe.

To view the exhibition, visit MOFAD's site for visiting hours and additional information on upcoming events in the program series.

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Pan de Muertos from La Newyorkina

Festive decor to celebrate Day of the Dead

Guests view a photograph shot by Jason Lowe for a story on Ramadan in the United Arab Emirates written by Anissa Helou in 2011. This Ramadan meal featured tharid, a lamb and vegetable stew served over cracker-like bread called regag.

Guests were encouraged to sketch and share their own family meals and favorite traditions as part of the exhibition.

A community altar was prepared by Irma Bohorquez of the Mexican Cultural Institute. This is a traditional way to honor deceased loved ones. Guests contributed family photos alongside wine, treats, and other favorite items of the family members.

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Taittinger champagne

Contributing photographer, Brian Finke with Saveur's Associate Art Director, Allie Wist.

Peter Kim, Executive Director at Mofad, writer, Yasmin Khan, Saveur Editor-in-chief, Adam Sachs, and Food and Wine Editor, Jordana Rothman

Mexican hot chocolate made with HERNÁN chocolate, crafted in the Mayan region of southern Mexico, it's made with organic cocoa beans from a bio-diversified plantation in Chiapas.

Danny Mena from Mezcales de Leyenda sharing samples.

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Group photo of the teams from Mofad, Saveur, Mexican Cultural Institute, Fonda, La Newyorkina, Mezcales de Leyenda, Hernan, and Semillas.

Guests viewing William Hereford's photograph shot for Alex Halberstadt's story that explores Buddhist monk cuisine in Kyoto, Japan. Pictured here is Jobun Haruta as he enjoys a midday meal at the Buddhist Temple.