Master Chef Rudi Sodamin just released his latest culinary masterpiece, an art table book called Food Faces ($20.42 Amazon) that features more than 150 vibrant images of edible creations that display a cast of unforgettable characters expressing a whimsical spectrum of human emotion.  Chairman of Holland America Line’s Culinary Council, Sodamin knows what cruise travelers are looking for on tabletops of dining venues that carry his signature menu items around the world.

“ʽFood Faces’ has a universal appeal that crosses all ages, languages, art, cultures and food groups,” said Sodamin of his concept. “Food is an international language, understood by all, and everyone in the world, regardless of race, gender, experience or social status, can communicate and connect through food.”

Sodamin captured the images in his photography studio, working with his perfectionistic approach to bring each piece of art to life, fine-tuning the emotional coloring of each Food Face as he adjusted lighting, depth and focus.

Rudi is esteemed throughout the world for his passion for his craft and his ability to translate that creative energy into serving thousands of guests each day on our ships. ’Food Faces’ allows people to be inspired by Rudi’s work every day in their homes. -Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president

With several cookbooks already under his belt, Sodamin applied his artistic talent this time to creating a unique and transformative portrayal of the ingredients that have inspired him throughout his culinary career.  Sodamin began to design and photograph his stylized Food Faces several years ago as a labor of creative love. Since he created his first Food Face, Sodamin has captured hundreds of distinctive characters through his lens. His artistic inspiration comes from culinary ingredients and human expression, and he created each plate personality from food items including vegetables, fruit, meats, fish, grains and sweets.  Here are some of those:

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On board Holland America Line ships, guests who dine in Rudi’s Sel de Mer pop-up restaurant can enjoy his dynamic Food Faces on exclusive limited-edition plates made by Bernardaud, the leading French manufacturer of Limoges porcelain. Each plate charger features a different image from the “Food Faces” book, creating a table setting unlike any found anywhere in the world.

“Food Faces” was published by Welcome Books, an imprint of Rizzoli, and is available for purchase in bookstores nationwide.  Sodamin will be exhibiting his Food Faces art in Miami, Florida, and in Europe in 2018.