Harley Langberg has a unique talent—he creates detailed artwork using only food! From mushrooms that look like a dog’s fur to onions that resemble floating bubbles, his edible creations are truly impressive.
Langberg, who lives in Manhattan, wakes up at 5 a.m. every day to work on his food art. Over the past 11 years, he has made thousands of pieces, even earning a spot in Ripley’s Believe It or Not and gaining a strong following on Instagram.
How It All Started
His journey began in 2014 when he saw a food art exhibit at Chelsea Market. The pieces were simple, likely aimed at children, but one artwork—an owl made of apples and bread—inspired him. Right then, he decided to try it himself. He grabbed eggplant, rosemary, and peppers from the market and created his first piece: a version of Banksy’s famous Flower Thrower.
“I look back now, and it was so bad,” Langberg laughed. “At the time, I thought it was great, but now I realize how much I’ve improved.”
Since then, he has refined his skills, making food art a daily part of his routine.
The Creative Process
Langberg starts by selecting a reference image, then heads to the grocery store to find ingredients with the right textures and colors. He prefers using uncommon ingredients, like sea urchin or octopus, to add depth and realism to his work. One of his main tools? Mashed potatoes—they make the perfect base for many of his creations.
His most recent work included a leprechaun made from carrots and cucumbers to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. He also color-codes his ingredients for easy selection, just like a painter would with a palette.
More Than Just Art
Interestingly, Langberg never considered himself an artist before discovering food art. “I can make animals with mashed potatoes, but I can’t even draw with a pencil,” he joked.
Even though his food art has gained widespread attention, Langberg balances it with his full-time job as an investor and being a father to his young daughter. He also ensures that no food goes to waste—whatever he doesn’t use for art, he repurposes for family meals.
“I’ve got a lot on my plate,” he said—without any irony.
