Paul Joachim via Facebook

Paul Joachim sculpting a bust of Anne Burrell out of cake.

How would you measure your chocolate obsession?

Celebrity chef and Food Network Challenge winner Paul Joachim has measured his chocolate love, and it's about nine feet tall.

At least that's the height of the life-sized creation he will sculpt live at the Miami Fine Chocolate & Food Show at Pinecrest Gardens March 9 and 10.

Joachim, a sports fanatic when he's not in the kitchen, will create a six-foot-eight basketball player on a two-foot base while telling stories to the crowd at the show. The edible masterpiece is meant as a tribute to "Miami basketball," but Joachim wouldn't tell Short Order if he had a particular player in mind.

Read also:
- Founder of Miami Fine Chocolate and Food Show: "Culinary Scene Beyond South Beach Deserves Recognition"
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Courtesy of Buena Vista Deli

Art enhances any neighborhood, no doubt about it. And it ain't bad for the appetite either. In keeping with the concept of area enhancement, Buena Vista Deli (BVD) owner Cory Finot has helped to craft a unique corner of artistic development outside the popular French bakery.

During Art Basel, artist Edwin Sepulveda (AKA Don Rimx) painted a colorful mural outside the the BVD, and last week, artist Johanna Boccardo (AKA JOJAPIPOSA) created a multicolored tape-bombing fence installation. The two together greet visitors with a bold pop of bright colors.

See also:
- Buena Vista Deli Is Almost Like Paris in the Morning
- 79. Pork Rillettes at Buena Vista Deli

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Haven

You could use a drink, about now.

About now you've driven around for miles looking for some parking spot under $50, walked miles in shoes that hurt, downed your fair share of cheese cubes, and pondered both art and the throngs of "interesting" fairgoers. 
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All photos by Laine Doss

Andy Warhol turned soup into art.

Sure, art "feeds your soul," but if you were trapped on a deserted island for a year which would you rather have -- a Rembrandt or a year's supply of bacon and bourbon?

And yet, we agree there is a time when food and art intersect. A chef can create a dish that's as visually stunning as it is delicious. And, in turn, food can act as a muse for painters and sculptors who see the beauty in the curve of an apple or the texture of a cheese.

With an eye for art and an empty stomach, we took in two of Midtown's biggest art week shows, Art Miami and Context. Trends we spotted? Sweets are sinful and kids can be really creepy.

Read also:
- Art Basel Eats: From a Phuc Yea!Pop-Up to a Basel Biergarten
- Art Basel: Where to Find Beautiful Food in Miami

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Courtesy of UNTITLED.

Art Week means countless guides, lists and must-sees for the weekend. The sheer amount of events and galleries can leave you overwhelmed and if you're not careful, on the couch confused and defeated. To help foodies make some decisions this weekend, we came up with yet another list that pairs what you really love, food, with an exhibit to compliment your meal getting you to the galleries by way of delicious eats. Whether you're seeking out the funky and weird of Wynwood or planning to lust over art worth more than most homes, our guide has a restaurant to suite your Art Week style. Below are 10 restaurants paired with exhibits that are sure to compliment your dish.

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Cooper Avenue

The Garage pop-us at Cooper Avenue

The Garage opens today for late-night dining, cocktails, music, and, yes, games.

Read also:
- First Trust: Free Cocktails at Pop-Up Lounge During Art Basel
- Art Basel on the Beach: Where to Eat on Lincoln Road
- Art Basel in Midtown: Where to Eat, See, and be Seen
- Art Basel Eats: From a Phuc Yea! Pop-Up to a Basel Biergarden

Billed as the love child of a three-way among Buck 15, Bardot, and Gigi, this Basel pop-up, located adjacent to Cooper Avenue, will feature contemporary toy art, retro videogames, a billiards table, and nightly parties.

That poses a burning question: Will Ms. Pac-Man be there? (Sources say yes, so break out your quarters and mad gaming skills.)

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You're going to need to fuel up for this.

Art Basel wouldn't be complete without a trip around the galleries in Wynwood. To tackle all of these spaces, jammed into every nook and alleyway, you're going to need comfortable shoes (that means screw the Jimmy Choos, wear some Keds and call yourself a real artist) and some food and drink to keep your strength and your spirits up.

Read Also: Art Basel on the Beach: Where to Eat on Lincoln Road
Art Basel in Midtown: Where to Eat, See, and be Seen
Art Basel Eats: From a Phuc Yea! Pop-Up to a Basel Biergarden

From bourbon and ribs to the perfect cup of Joe, Wynwood's got it going on. Here are some of our favorites: More »

Image courtesy BeachedMiami

Sweetening yogurt at Incubation.

Besides depriving your great aunt in Astoria, Queens of power for more than two weeks, Hurricane-Superstorm Sandy also put the kibosh on Jennifer Rubell's breakfast-cum-art exhibit held annually at her family's Wynwood gallery.

Gallery Director Juan Valadez said Rubell, who lives in New York City, was working on the installation, but it was damaged beyond repair during the storm. He didn't say what, if anything is being planned in its place.

See also:
- Breakfast Basel-Style at Jennifer Rubell's "Just Right" Food Installation

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Facebook.com

We found even scarier pumpkins than these guys.

Halloween is here. You've probably got your costume hanging in the closet for tonight and the candy ready for those trick or treaters.

Read also:
- The Ten Worst Halloween Candies Ever
- Halloween on Lincoln Road: Where to Eat With Your Ghoul

But, if you're like us, the pumpkin sits at the doorstep untouched. Pumpkin carving can be intimidating. Sure there are kits at the store but the last time we tried to make a simple devil face, it turned out looking more like Ernest Borgnine than the prince of darkness. Not cool.

You need a pumpkin that scares the clown pants off these little beggars who show up at your door. If they're going to get free candy -- make them work for it.

That means you've got to really delve deep inside your psyche and pull out your worst nightmares. To get you started, we've found some of the most fiendish pumpkins as wicked inspiration.

Each pumpkin is freakishly evil-- and takes about eight hours to create. That means if you call in sick from work and start now you can complete your project by sundown. Now that's a scary thought.

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Marguerite Gil

From the earth, to the tummy to wearable art made from snail shells

Poking around Whole Foods on Sunset Drive recently, I encountered a highly regarded delicacy that, according to many people's standards, is disgusting, promotes up-chucking, and, if courageously ordered and then viewed on a plate, often becomes impossible to swallow. Man up, wimps, and let those little boogers wiggle around in your entrails!

After all, it's an inexpensive protein source presented in an attractive package. Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern (from Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods) always says, "If it looks good, eat it!"

According to gourmets and connoisseurs, escargots are a highly appreciated delicacy that should be included in every foodie's menu selection. At 99 cents each and lavishly filled with a buttery garlic-parsley interior, the little slippery snails beckoned from their spiral hiding places in the Whole Foods seafood display case. I accordingly responded with my credit card. Eight of them made their way to my refrigerator one morning, and all became a delicious dinner for this devoted escargot lover.

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