This week's roundup includes a colorful cupcake wall in Boulder, Colorado; a macaroni and cheese award in Chicago; personalized lipstick in New York; and a reimagined tribute journal in Santa Monica, California.
The second annual Mac & Cheese Fest Chicago took place in late October at the UIC Forum. The event had two sessions; in each, 50 restaurants competed for the "Golden Noodle" award. The award was given to the macaroni and cheese dishes that were deemed to have the best taste, texture, and creativity. Judges included chefs, food critics, and bloggers.
Milk Glass Productions planned the 10th anniversary celebration of Rembrandt Yard, a two-level art gallery and event space in Boulder, Colorado. The second floor incorporated cool colors, such as blue, purple, and green, into its "Create" theme. A cupcake display wall made by Milk Glass Productions reflected the color scheme, with cupcakes provided by Indulge Bakery.
Dressbarn celebrated the launch of its fall 2015 advertising campaign on October 14 at Spring Studios in New York. In one of several personalized activations, guests could customize envelope clutch bags with their initials embossed into the leather.
In the "Name Your Color" section, guests could select a color and have it made into a lipstick in front of them using a 3-D lipstick printer from Mink founder Grace Choi. Guests then gave the color a name and had custom labels printed out.
Bacardi Limited promoted its newest product, Dewar's Scratched Cask, by creating multisensory tasting experiences that involved projection mapping and virtual reality in Miami, Chicago, New York, and Louisville, Kentucky. The experience featured a 10-foot replica of the oak barrels used to make the whiskey, which inside displayed a 90-second video projected in 360 degrees. As many as four people at a time could step inside the barrel to watch the video projected onto interior walls. Heat lamps and scent machines inside the barrel were synced with the video to enhance the sensory experience.
To attract attention, large flames shot out of the top of the barrel whenever there weren't people inside.
City of Hope's Spirit of Life Gala took place November 5 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Krislyn Design reimagined a tribute journal as an eye-catching art installation of 3-D letters at the entrance of the fund-raiser. The handcrafted structure, which was made from plywood and individually printed panels, was also a photo op for attendees.
The 22nd annual Knock Out Abuse Gala took place November 5 at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. Inspired by Tusan dining, event designer André Wells used family-style dining tables with rustic wooden chairs for the dinner. Garlands of eucalyptus, lemon leaves, and fresh greens ran the length of the tables with oversize lanterns providing intimate lighting.
Need a gift idea for V.I.P. guests? Cocktail mixer brand Bittermilk offers a gift set called the Overnighter, $125. The handcrafted denim cocktail tote is stocked with a Mason jar shaker, a muddler, a jigger, and a hand-made cocktail mixer in a flavor of choice. Options include “Smoked Honey Whiskey Sour” and “Charred Grapefruit Tonic With Bulls Bay Sea Salt.” Products ship throughout the United States and Canada.
The first Mac 'n Cheese Festival Toronto took place June 5 to 7 outside Liberty Market. More than 20 chefs dished out variations of the comfort food, and toppings varied from lobster to wine-braised steak; there were also fusion dishes such as mac 'n' cheese sushi.
