Eat Their Words

One day a year, Macbeth isn’t a sullen Scottish king with a murderous streak—he’s a double burger with a paper crown, sword and kilt. 

“Big MacBeth” was one of the entries in this year’s Edible Book Festival, an event recently held by the University Libraries, wherein book lovers stretch their pun and culinary talents to turn food for thought into, well, food. This was the fourth consecutive year for Terp students, faculty and staff to give it a go.

“It’s so easy to do, it’s fun, and it’s great promotion for the Libraries,” says Eric Cartier, UMD’s digital librarian, who brought the local version of the global festival to College Park.

Cartier’s favorite entry in UMD Edible Book history was “Grape Expectations,” with googly-eyed grapes gazing at wine and Raisin Bran. Personally, he’s proud of the year he made “Banana Karenina,” which featured a smashed banana that looked like it had been—spoiler alert—run over by a train.

Take a look below at some of this year’s memorable entries, voted on by attendees in categories like “Best in Show” and “Least Appetizing,” with Amazon gift cards on the line.