Non-Edible Cookbooks

The A La Cart Recipe Guide Uses Old Grocery Lists to Create Strange Dishes

London-based photographer Tom Lakeman created this unusual image collection that reads like a cookbook but is actually a non-edible series titled A La Cart. The series originated from the idea of creating meals out of trashed grocery lists.

Since grocery lists often contain random foods and even non-edible products such as paper towels, this artist decided to create a visual interpretation of these lists. The humor is quite evident in each image. For example, there is a "nine-volt battery burger" that looks like an average sandwich at first glace, but it actually contains a battery among the other ingredients.

The A La Cart recipe guide is set up just like a cookbook. There is an image of the first product next to the recipe, which in this case is simply a scribbled down list of items. The unusual art project presents a unique view of a weekly choice -- grocery shopping.

Non-edible Art
Exploring the creative potential of non-edible objects in art and design.
Humorous Food Photography
Using humor to create visually engaging food-themed photographs.
Unconventional Cookbooks
Challenging traditional cookbook formats and content through innovative approaches.

Industries Being Reshaped

Art and Design
Opportunity to explore and showcase the artistic potential of everyday objects.
Photography
Identification of new approaches to food photography that capture attention through humor and creativity.
Publishing
Innovation in cookbook publishing by experimenting with unconventional formats and content.
SCORE
5.4 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Europe, Asia
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 69%
Activity 84%
Freshness 8%

Solutions for innovators working at the edge of change. We help transform emerging ideas into practical, durable solutions by combining strategic thinking, creative exploration, and hands-on execution.

Trends © 2026 Trend Hunter Inc. All Rights Reserved.
LinkedIn Instagram X