The Luria Library’s café will be a food and book lover’s paradise March 23 as it celebrates the third annual “Edible Books” festival.

Along with the library, the School of Culinary Arts and Hotel Management and City College Great Books Program will host this international festival honoring the birthday of French gastronome Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin and his witty book about meditations on food.

“This festival is a celebration of culture, food, books, and creativity,” said Elizabeth Bowman, reference, outreach, and collection development librarian.

The contest has three requirements: to create something edible that looks like a book, acts like a book, or is a pun on a book. Many of last year’s contestants used an assortment of flavors to create their edible books that were as varied as meats, sugar sculptures, candy, cheeses, and even sushi.

“The purpose is to get people interested in books, to bring people into the library, and to just have some fun,” Bowman said.

Prize categories include most literary, most like a book, most beautiful, most tasty, easy and fun, most humorous, inspired by “SBCC Reads” book of 2001: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, inspired by a “Great Book” used in the City College book curriculum, and best in show.

First semester culinary student, Pegeen Soutar, won last year’s “Best in Show” with her pop-up- book inspired “The Jungle Book” creation. With a few more semesters under her chef hat, she plans on competing again in this year’s contest.

“My advice for this year’s contestants would be to have as much fun with it as possible, and be creative,” said Soutar.

Students who would like to submit a creation are required to register to [email protected]. Registration for an edible book can be as late as the same day of the event. All entries will be exhibited, documented, judged, and then eaten by students and staff.

“Edible Books” will start at noon with drop-off entries and display creations for public viewing from 2 to 4 p.m. Judging will begin at 3:30 p.m. and will be followed by the announcements of the winners at 4 p.m.

“The moment the winners are announced at 4 p.m., everybody will be hovering with their forks to eat everything that has been brought,” said Bowman.