To say that people have been anxiously waiting a whole year for the Edible Art benefit might be a bit of a stretch.

To say that folks are “sort of” excited about the event would be an understatement.

Maryjo Chocran, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts at Troy University, said there is quite a bit of unbridled excitement surrounding the fifth annual Edible Art and Delectable Dishes benefit event Tuesday night at The Cultural Arts Studio on East Walnut Street in Troy.

“Each year our Edible Art event has gotten bigger and better, and we have expanded it this year to include, Delectable Dishes,” Cochran said. “The first year, Edible Art was planned as a celebration for the fine arts faculty. Now, it has become a Troy University and community-wide event.”

The 2010 Edible Art and Delectable Dishes event offers a sampling of incredible food creations prepared by the CCFA faculty, staff and students and some of the community’s most creative cooks.

The doors to the Cultural Arts Studio will open at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 and that’s when the public will have an opportunity to view the Edible Art and Delectable Dishes before they are devoured a bite or two at the time.

The judging will take place to decide the outstanding edible art and the dishes that are most delightful to the taste buds.

Cochran said Delectable Dishes will not be judged on presentation as much as on taste.

“The Edible Art dishes are judged on the artistry, creativity and wild factors of the presentation,” she said. “The Delectable Dishes are not necessarily judged on their artsy quality but on the ‘oh, my, I’ve just gone to heaven’ taste.”

There are four categories for entries in each division – appetizers, fruits/vegetables/salads, main dishes and desserts.

A winner will be chosen in each category, eight in all.

And the Best of Show award will be chosen from those winners. Those who attend will have an opportunity to vote for their favorable edible art and that creation will receive the “People’s Choice Award.”

After the judging is completed and the awards are presented, the feasting will begin.”

Tickets for the Edible Art & Delectable Dishes are $15 each or $25 for two. Tickets may be purchased at 214 Wright Hall and will also be available at the door.

Edible Art & Delectable Dishes is a fundraiser for the Troy Arts Council and the Johnson Center for the Arts and is sponsored by the College of Communication and Fine Arts at Troy University.

“Those arts organizations have been so generous to our college by providing grant assistance for musical events and exhibitions and we want to show our appreciation to them,” Cochran said.

“We invite everyone to join us for a night of good food and fun Tuesday night at The Cultural Arts Center. We’ll have great entertainment by the Troy University Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Ray Smith and a Broadway cabaret-style performance by the Musical Theater Ensemble directed by Tori Lee Averett.”

It’s not too late to prepare a dish for Edible Art & Delectable Dishes.

For more information, contact Cochran at 670-3869.

Those who attend Edible Art & Delectable Dishes are invited to visit the “Soul’s Journey: Inside the Creative Process” exhibition in the downstairs gallery of the Johnson Center for the Arts while waiting for the doors to the unique food experience to open. The exhibition features ceramics, fiberglass and wood art.

There is no admission to the Johnson Center.