Patrick Laroche’s Vegetable Sculptures at The Sofitel Hotel

It’s not often that I get asked to a foodie event that doesn’t actually involve eating.
But this was something a bit different…
A new exhibition featuring ‘Vegetables’ by French artist, Patrick Laroche.
And you know I like to have a healthy diet most of time… well, there’s no calories in looking at food.
And you feel even healthier when it’s vegetables that you’re looking at! 
A feast for your eyes.
And here’s the artist himself! Laroche started sculpting at just 15 and has since been honoured with the accolade ‘Meilleur ouvrier de France’, meaning best craftsman of France. He has now become known for his surreal sculptures that play with the size and the shape of objects. In his latest work, Laroche explores the contours of the vegetables, and paints them unusual colours with glossy varnishes giving a vibrant new dimension to your ordinary or garden veg!
A real work of art-ichoke!
Another red-hot creation.
The exhibition was held at the beautiful Sofitel Hotel in St James and the large shiny, brightly coloured vegetables gave a modern touch to the English heritage Grade II listed building. The French luxury hotel was the perfect place to hold the exhibition as the brand espouses French culture especially gastronomy, art and fashion. 
The hotel’s signature restaurant is The Balcon, which serves fabulous French-British cuisine, I recently sampled the delight menu, which was both healthy and delicious. 
To accompany the exhibition the Balcon will be serving brand new vegetable dishes including a savoury madeline, red pepper and tomato Octopus Basquaise and parsnip and maple syrup cake.
The hotel has also created a clever ‘Laroche Cocktail’ with rosemary and basil ice cubes, cucumber, heirloom tomatoes and mushroom syrup. The barman can, of course, add some gin to liven things up too!
We received fabulous hospitality from the hotel with vegetable inspired canapes. 
Which were much healthier that the usual duck spring rolls / burgers / mini fish and chips that are usually offered at events.
My favourite of the sculptures, fruitfully deviated from the vegetable theme, a big shiny cherry located in the chic St James bar. 
Thank you so much to the Sofitel Hotel and to Patrick Laroche, what a fun way to get my five a day 😉 
The exhibition runs from the 18th of September to the 31st of October. 

Sofitel St James 
6 Waterloo Place 
London
SW1Y 4AN 

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