The Hobbit, a cake by Becky Rodriguez, inspired by the J. R. R. Tolkien novel.

NOMA will host its sixth annual Edible Book Day on Saturday, April 21. Edible Book Day is an international celebration of literature, art, and food. Museums, libraries, and universities throughout the world participate to create a program for creative individuals and community groups to highlight their artistic, baking, and decorating skills. Local community groups and individuals are invited to bake and decorate cakes inspired by books through the integration of text, literary inspiration or form. Ribbons will be awarded for the three best cakes in each category, and one “People’s Choice” ribbon will be awarded.

This year’s judges are Charles Brown, City Librarian/Executive Director, New Orleans Public Library, and Susan Larson, host of The Reading Life on WWNO-NPR 89.9 FM. Visitors to NOMA are also encouraged to fill out judging ballots.

Contestants should fill out an entry form (see below) by April 16. Ribbons will be awarded in six categories: Funniest/Punniest, Best Visual Presentation, Most Creative, Most Like a Book, Culinary Arts Students (for those taking baking and pastry art classes), and Professional Categories (restricted to those in the culinary industry), and Youth. Photos of the winning cakes will be posted to NOMA’s Facebook page.

Schedule:

• 10 am: Cake entry set up
• 11 am: Judging and People’s Choice voting begins
• 12:30 pm: Café NOMA cake-decorating demonstration by Chef Brett Gauthier
• 1 pm: People’s Choice voting ends
• 1:30 pm: Awards announced in Café NOMA