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The Chef Wore Chocolate
Rachel's Story
This chef's jacket was inspired by my art festival pairing with dessert chef Emily Luchetti of Sausalito, Ca. I come from a quilting background, and I make clothing drawing from that rich heritage. Choosing quilt blocks with dessert-related names, such as Cake Stand, Cherries Jubilee, and Shoofly, I combined fabrics with dessert and fruit motifs with 50's tablecloth scraps. I added banana splits on the sleeve. I embellished the jacket with red and brown buttons and appliqué. Because I am a lover of most things’ chocolate, I coated the shoulders with a variety of brown fabrics so that the jacket would have a "dipped" look.
Garment Description
This chef’s jacket is an exuberant celebration of dessert-inspired artistry, pieced together like a confectionery quilt. The vibrant body bursts with food-themed fabrics, showcasing everything from sizzling banana splits to richly illustrated cherries and pies, accented with retro 1950s tablecloth prints for a nostalgic touch. The front panels feature quilt blocks such as Cake Stand and Cherries Jubilee, their traditional shapes reimagined with colorful patterns and whimsical appliqué. Tiny red and brown buttons dot the seams, resembling sprinkles, adding dimension and playful detailing.
The sleeves are a riot of color and texture, with strips of gingham, florals, and fruit motifs that nod to picnic spreads and festive gatherings. One sleeve, edged with a line of appliquéd bananas, draws the eye to the yellow and blue checkerboard piecing, creating a sense of rhythm. The shoulders, layered in chocolate-brown tonal fabrics, evoke a "dipped" effect, contrasting beautifully against the kaleidoscopic body. The back continues the storytelling, with Hershey's chocolate bars, strawberries, and pops of bold geometric shapes tied together in the quilt-inspired layout. This jacket is a deliciously wearable homage to the artistry of both desserts and quilting!