We spent the morning with our dear friend Aaron Bernstein aka “Hungry Boy” in his upper East Side Apartment eating mandarins and talking about the buzziest snacks. We discussed Aaron’s iconic style of photography and animations and his evolution through the fashion industry into the food space. Below is our morning together in his croissant and banana filled home as he shares his childhood traditions and how he connects to the NY community now .
Hungry Boy
Photographer
What dish reminds you of home? My grandfather makes this infamous red sauce for large family gatherings, usually the week of Thanksgiving. Leftovers are divided into containers and distributed throughout the family, which we'll all use throughout the year until the next batch is made.
Did you grow up with the importance of family meals, any traditions? Our family ate dinners together often as possible. From setting the table to acting as sous chef to doing the dishes, everyone had a part. Growing up, we had the tradition of pancakes on our birthday, usually with sprinkles in them. If we were lucky, we'd even get them in customized shapes (hearts, Mickey Mouse), and sometimes even with our initials drawn into them.
What made you switch from the world of fashion to being a food photographer? I come from a family that loves food, and it's always been a big cultural part of my life. When I was adjusting to living in New York, food was this navigational tool that I could learn the city by. I started using food elements in my fashion work as props, and eventually lost the people altogether, focusing solely on experimenting with still lifes. I found that there was a lot of similarity with what drew me to fashion imagery in food: it's equally as exciting to me to explore colors, textures, and spacial relations in still lifes as it is with clothing and models. I love the opportunities that both areas have to reflect and comment on the times.
Favorite recipe or food product at the moment? Currently I can't get enough of Humble Nut Butter, specifically their Spiced Maple Pecan flavor. They are a husband and wife duo from Minnesota who are reconsidering the possibilities of butters beyond just the usual sweet. Also a big fan of Yellowbird condiments, and have found myself drinking a considerable amount of Proposition Cocktail Co. products as afternoon pick-me-ups as well.
So often to hang out with friends in NY, it is done over a meal or drink. Do you prefer to go out or make a meal together at home? I love hosting people at my place, whether it be for a proper dinner or a themed food party. I've done everything from breakfast for dinner, to latkes, to Bring Your Own Pizza Topping events. There's something fun about trying to figure out how to fit 10+ people in a very tiny space, and creating an immediate sense of intimacy that is hard to replicate elsewhere. I don't think that New Yorkers have people into their homes often enough.
In what way do you feel most connected to the community of NY? There are so many micro-communities here full of fascinating people. While there's a great depth of variety, I love finding common-ground with people in their own journeys, and why they feel it's important for them to live in New York. In my experience, a lot of people approach their lives here with shared ambitions and priorities, and it's always refreshing to be reminded of this while connecting with new people that might seem totally separate from you on paper.