CREATIVE CUISINE

Culinary and visual artists combined their talents to create whimsical, edible installations that transformed the Chicago Artists Coalition’s West Loop gallery space (217 N. Carpenter) June 21. More than 300 guests turned out for the fourth annual Starving Artist Benefit, which showcased the work of artists Diana Gabriel, Luft

werk, Alexandra Noe and Edyta Stepien and chefs Matthias Merges ( Yusho), Chris Pandel (Bristol/

Balena), Kyle Peterson (Fulton Market Kitchen) and Jared Van Camp (Element Collective). Co-chairs Olga Markoff and Lesley Prizant Goodman helped fuel the fabulous fête, which raised more than $83,000 to support the CAC’s educational resources, exhibition opportunities and entrepreneurial networks for local artists. — Saher Khan Splash was the media sponsor of this event.

Chef John Vermiglio with Petra Poul Bachmaier and Sean Gallero of Luftwerk and chef Mattias Merges

Above: Andi Crist, Michael Soto and Alexandra Noe make s’mores. Right: Tempestt Hazel and Diana Gabriel PHOTOS BY CLAI RE DEMOS AND CAROL I NA RODRIQUEZ