There is just something about seeing a hyperrealistic piece of home decor in the form of a wax radish or bell pepper that scratches the Giuseppe Arcimboldo-shaped part of our brain. Pairing the fleeting beauty of food with the enduring presence of a design objet is a cheeky reflex long observed in tableware, i.e. cabbage ware majolica, as well as in fashion via the cornucopia-like hats of Schiaparelli, the trompe d’oiel vegetable accessories by Loewe, countless food-inspired offerings from Moschino (remember the McDonald’s collection and that celery purse?), the viral cookie bag from Puppets & Puppets, and beyond. If it looks good enough to eat, it’s begging to be made more permanent in the form of a purse, dish, or more recently, a candle.
Love romanesco? There’s a candle for that. Extending your tomato girl summer into winter 2025? There’s a candle for that, too (to say nothing of the tomato-scented candle discourse). Brands such as Cereria Introna and Gohar World — the sister-run NYC atelier that made those dishwashing gloves Julia Fox wore to the Grammys — also deserve a special shoutout in the field of stunning trompe l’oeil food candles:
Below, you’ll find the coolest food-shaped candles in four categories: the sweet, the savory, the farmers market haul (fruits and vegetables), and drinks. Grab your Edie Parker jelly lighter, and let’s stock up (and light up).
The Sweet
I especially enjoy giving friends cake-shaped candles as birthday presents, but you really don’t need an occasion to treat yourself to one of the beauties. I recommend buying a few, and keeping them on-hand for next year’s White Elephant parties.
For the friend who always wants to go to the Cheesecake Factory
