Working in the world of larger-than-life sculptures, Karen and Tony Barone usually photograph their works with one or both of them beside it for scale. After finishing six food-related sculptures, the Rancho Mirage couple thought, “Wouldn’t it be great to photograph the food sculptures with chefs?” They began lining up Coachella Valley’s culinary wizards to pose with the works, but also wanted to include the chefs’ better halves, who are often involved in their careers.
“We thought because we’re all about being in love with our business partner we would include the chef’s partner in the shoot,” Karen explains. The first few photographs have featured Eric Wadlund (Spencer’s Restaurant in Palm Springs) and wife Rowena, Andrew Copley (Copley’s on Palm Canyon in Palm Springs) and wife Juliana, Tony DiLembo (The Tropicale in Palm Springs) and partner/mixologist Ranz Weinert, and Braddly Bennick (Parker Palm Springs) and his wife Tamarah.