The Pink Palace’s newest exhibit, “FOOD: Science, Culture and Cuisine,” first made its debut in France and has since reached the United States to educate kids on culture all over the world with the connection we share in food.
The exhibit begins with a whisking and rolling station where chefs demo the process, then we get to learn more about staple ingredients like chocolate before reaching the coveted hallway of levers. Each puffs a different scent like vanilla or Parmesan to familiarize kids with identifying smells.
There’s even a station that replicates the experience of eating a croissant. By putting your elbows on this special table and cupping your ears with your hands, you can feel the vibrations in your jaw muscles.
At the heart of the space is a room complete with a full visual show that covers the walls and massive dining table with playful images of food, like lobsters coming to life.
Toward the end we see a short film that shows banquets all over the world. There are different customs according to the culture, but they all share in communing with one another while eating. Conservator Julie Flynn tells us, “Food is a universal experience.”
Flynn started her education with a bachelor’s in archaeology and planned to do field work in Syria, but that was quickly foiled by the Syrian hostage crisis. Her new career path took her to London where she studied for two master’s degrees. Flynn says, “I was really interested in Middle Eastern, Egyptian archaeology, but I decided I didn’t necessarily want my career to depend on global politics. I wanted to work in a museum, and this was, and still is the most interesting job in any museum.”
The Pink Palace team aims to incorporate Memphis flair as well. They save the best for last with a section that features four talented Memphis chefs and their signature dishes. There’s even a botanical section complete with boxes Flynn and her team made full of facts, photos, recipes, and even smells pertaining to the designated plant.
The “FOOD: Science, Culture and Cuisine” exhibit is open until May, so you’ll have plenty of time to go and explore this unique culinary experience.
“FOOD: Science, Culture and Cuisine,” Pink Palace Museum & Mansion, 3050 Central Ave., Through May 24, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $21. Visit moshmemphis.com/food/.