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by Amanda Hathaway
If Make-A-Plate had been around in 1920s Germany, Hermann Rorschach may have had a different means of evaluating the psychology of his patients. Take, for example, the various designs created by the New York staff of Bullfrog & Baum. The purpose was purely practical: Jennifer Baum wants us all to have our own plate to use and, more importantly, clean. But an unanticipated side effect of asking us to design our own plates was to provide a sneak peek into some of the personalities that reside at our Chelsea office.
Take Melissa Flores, for example (top row, first plate): In a clever ruse to potentially disguise a dirty plate, she drew eggs, bacon and toast with the complementary quote “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” A slight dis’ to lunch perhaps, and given that she’s a vegetarian, we now think she has a conflicted relationship with bacon… then again, can’t that be said of all vegetarians?
Another curious design: Helen Baldus marked her plate with the universal sign for death and/or poison – which is odd, since she’s a very good cook. Chris Langley seems to think he’s “Boss” but we’re used to that by now. And generally sweet-natured Kate Schwab may have a sinister side if her cheery rainbow design combined with the threatening warning, “Use at your own risk!” is any indicator.
Personal passions reveal themselves on the B&B plates: Katherine Bryant is “Fishing for Lunch” while Shayna Bryan says it’s “Time to Rock.” Pamela Spiegel, meanwhile, presents a portrait of her pup, Jake, and Russo (a.k.a. Jennifer) channeled her inner BLT Market with images of picturesque seasonal veggies. When it comes to quotes, we span the cultural spectrum: 19th century poet Charles Pierre Monselet shows up on Jacque Burke’s plate, while Evyn Block let 20th century Muppet Miss Piggy speak for her.
What can we infer about our fearless leader who subjected us to this exercise? Jennifer Baum maintains a balance between work and family by incorporating her son and husband’s initials combined with simple renditions of her city and country homes.
The strangest thing of all? There isn’t a single frog design to be found. What would Rorschach say?
What I’m:
Reading Shakespeare: The World As Stage by Bill Bryson
Watching Chowder on Cartoon Network (hey! it's set in a kitchen!)
Eating Bone Marrow at Allen & Delancey
Listening to American X: Baby 81 Sessions by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
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