Making fake food
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Topic: Making fake food
Posted By: emilya
Subject: Making fake food
Date Posted: 8/21/05 at 8:25pm
 We're doing a production of Over the River and Through the Woods. We're using mostly real food for the dinner, but I am wondering if anyone has ever made fake veal. As most theatres, we're strapped for cash and I'd like to avoid buying a lot of fresh veal. I'd like to buy just enough for the grandpas to eat, but make some fake slices as well to fill the platter..anybody got any ideas? Thanks!
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Replies:
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 8/22/05 at 12:55am
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As a substitute for meat, it is more economical to buy
a loaf of dark pumpernickel bread and cut the slices into the shape you desire. Your actors will be disappointed, but your stage manager will love you. ------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: emilya
Date Posted: 8/22/05 at 9:10am
Thanks for the idea about using bread to simulate meat! I don't think I'd use pumpernickel for veal, but we can use one that's closer to the right color and doctor it up by toasting it or using cinnamon so it looks like it's been browned. I'll bet some butter would give it a sheen and keep the actors a little happier. Great tip!!
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Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 8/22/05 at 10:15am
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When I did Brighton Beach we made liver shaped pancakes with a little brown food coloring to simulate liver. They looked very real and when you add an extra egg they have a nice rubbery effect when you serve them, just like liver. We made them up fresh for every performance. It was pain, but worth the effort. It might be worth experimenting with. Linda |
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 8/23/05 at 4:02pm
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Toasting the bread might make it too crunchy or
crumbly and prevent it from convincing anybody it's actually meat. Uncooked, thick-sliced sourdough or heavy nine-grain bread might be a better substitute for veal. You can cut the crusts off into any shape you like. Maple syrup might add the right coloring and make the bread more flexible and palatable. ------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: dougb
Date Posted: 8/24/05 at 11:44am
| We had several vegetarians when we did OTR so we used tofu. I wasn't in on how it was prepared but it looked real. It was the only show I have ever done which listed "Cook" in the program. It was a real meal with the bowls and plates of food going back and forth, people serving themselves, eating and talking at the same time. Wonderful!!! |
Posted By: 75director
Date Posted: 8/24/05 at 2:54pm
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When we did "Over the River..." our prop person made the veal out of thin slices of foam, like carpet foam and then "breaded them" with glue and something I'm not sure what, may have been saw dust from the shop actually. It looked very believable. During the meal we had the actors eat rolls and some of the vegetables were real. Our prop person also made cannolis using clay and spray foam insulation that she then painted. They looked great and most of the people backstage were very disappointed to find they weren't real. |
Posted By: weagz
Date Posted: 9/04/05 at 12:10am
| when i was in OTR, we used breaded chicken patties to look like veal parmesean. it worked well and came across great. |