Some chefs liken their food to art - but one restaurant chain has taken it to another level.
Bella Italia, which has restaurants in Nottingham and Mansfield, has recreated a famous self-portrait of artist Leonardo da Vinci using classic Italian ingredients.
The food picture was commissioned by the Italian chain to celebrate the life and work of da Vinci, who died 500 years ago this month, and to mark the launch of their new summer menu.
Food artist Carl Warner was the mastermind behind the striking work of art, which took him and his team more than 20 hours to design and create, as each ingredient was painstakingly laid out to perfectly reflect the Renaissance masterpiece.
The edible artwork was crafted from a range of Italian food favourites including six different types of pasta. The hat and coat was made out of artisan bread, the eyes are mozzarella and olives, with fusilli, rigatoni and conchiglione pasta details.
Parma ham was used for the lips, chicken breast and fettucine pasta for the face and his nose is a chicken wing.
The portrait was inspired by da Vinci’s passion for both art and invention, particularly in the world of food and kitchen design innovation, including his creation of a ‘spaghetti-making machine’ and an automated spit that roasted meat.
Da Vinci’s passion for food is well-documented in the surviving ‘kitchen notebooks’, left to his student Francesco Melzi, in which the famed artist, scientist and inventor recorded his thoughts on cooking, table etiquette and kitchen inventions.
Célia Pronto, from Bella Italia, said: "Given our expertise in pasta, and with our new menu launch coinciding with the 500th anniversary of da Vinci’s death, it felt like the perfect opportunity to celebrate the Italian genius in the way we know best – with delicious Italian pasta and produce. We’re delighted with the finished product."
The summer menu features more than 30 new dishes including a traditional Cacio e Pepe, Gamberoni pizza, dough bites and a brand new range of desserts. As part of the celebration they are offering 40 percent off all main courses.
