ABSTRACT
The question of why create fake food instead of using real food for props is frequently asked. The answer is not cut and dry. There are several advantages to creating fake food including cost, storage, and reusability. Depending on the length of the run, creating fake food could be beneficial. If a production is scheduled to run for weeks at a regional theater or months on Broadway, creating fake food could be the most cost and time effective. It would cost far less to create the dish or dishes once then reuse them, than buy perishable items every night. By making the fake food from scratch, there is more flexibility and creativity in what the final piece looks like instead of buying them commercially manufactured. It is much easier to tweak the coloring or shape during the creation as opposed to altering a mass-produced item.
