Sara van Veen - ArtEZ Alumni Index

Hagelslag Harvest’ was born from my curiosity about the origins of our food and a desire to foster a meaningful connection between people and what they eat. In today’s fast-paced world, we often consume food without considering its journey from nature to our plates. I wanted to slow down this process and encourage reflection on the history and cultural significance behind the ingredients we often take for granted.

Cocoa, particularly Hagelslag, serves as a perfect example. This beloved Dutch treat has an important backstory that many may not know. By guiding my guests through a six-course dinner centered around cocoa, I aimed to tantalize their taste buds while educating and inspiring them to appreciate the complex journey of this ingredient.

Creating my own tableware and incorporating interactive questions made the experience engaging and thought-provoking. I believe food is a powerful medium for storytelling and connection. To foster an open atmosphere, I asked guests to bring a non-edible object that reminded them of chocolate, leading to the opening question: “Which object did you bring and why?”

This project reflects my passion for culinary arts, storytelling, and education, and I hope it left a lasting impression on everyone who participated.

ARTIST BIO

Sara van Veen is a graphic designer who specializes in storytelling through food. With a background in graphic design, Sara combines visual arts and culinary experiences to create unique narratives that connect people. Sara is passionate about raising awareness of where our food comes from and believes that we often take food for granted. She continues to inspire others by highlighting the beauty and significance of everyday culinary experiences.