An Artist From Chennai Is Making Miniature Clay Food That Looks Delicious

Shilpa Mitha’s plate of Biryani looks like a spitting image of one of those glossy cookbooks you see, absolutely perfect. Each grain of rice screams flavor and texture, no elaichi (cardamom) in the sight and perfectly cut onions and lemon to accompany and all this results in zero calories. No, not kidding, Zero Calories. The reason? Shilpa Mitha created this plate of heaven from clay.

Selling her miniature dishes under the name Sueño Souvenir. Shilpa’s journey into the world of miniature food platters began with her quest to create a pair of burger earrings, well acquainted to paper quilling, Shilpa asked her mother - an experienced crafts teacher - to use create the pair from air dry clay, an adaptable medium. Appreciated by friends and intrigued by the demand of the miniatures, Shilpa began exploring a whole new world of possibilities in food miniatures.

Although the menu includes world delicacies like roast turkey, fried chicken, burgers, pizzas, fries and there’s a lot to choose from for people with a sweet tooth too. But it’s her Indian miniatures that are stealing the show: a south Indian platter, karimeen pollichattu (a delicacy from Kerala), vada pav, biryani, jalebi, gajar ka halwa and much more.

Like every piece of art, Shilpa’s miniatures take a considerable amount of effort and time. Seeking references from recipes, online cooking shows, and various photographs to create miniature plates and meals, she takes about 30 minutes to create the easiest ones while the one with intricate details may take up to five days. Although she is the only chef in her kitchen, Shilpa gets help from her mother and cousin when needed.

Shilpa took to macro food photography to understand the details and intricacy of miniature model making. Using air-dry clay, she mixes colors into the clay rather than painting them after, to make the figurines more lifelike. Her miniatures cost between Rs. 450 - Rs. 1,000. Shilpa also came into some international spotlight for recreating some famous Masterchef Australia dishes including Shannon Bennett’s chocolate peanut bar.

For the love of food, visit her Instagram and Facebook handle for the complete menu.