One of the best things I added to craven maven this year was the blog contributor Liz in the '<a href="http://cravenmaven.wordpress.com/category/food-stylin/">food stylin</a>' category. Liz is a great photographer who I've known and shot with for over 10 years {!}, having her discerning eye curate this category has exposed me to some great food photographer and mystery stylists...My favourite post by Liz was "<strong>The Mystery NY Bodega food stylist</strong>" posted back in October...in case you forgot all about it here it is for you again:

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<em>originally posted on october 14, 2010</em>

<strong>Food Stylin’: The Mystery NY Bodega Stylist</strong>

<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border:0 none;" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/Stylistsphotogs/lizbodegashelf01.jpg" alt="mystery bodega food stylist" width="400" height="299" /></p>

<em>(You may have noticed the last few <a href="http://cravenmaven.wordpress.com/category/food-stylin/">food stylin' on Thursday</a> submissions were 'inspired by Liz'. Liz is a dear photog friend of mine who is a woman of many words and sometimes a woman of none. She always has an eye for style and a heart for good food. I'm pleased to announce that starting today she will be a regular contributor to the Craven Maven blog - exposing us to the work of unique and intriguing food stylists. Please welcome Liz!)</em>

This week's celebrity food stylist in the making is a person of mystery. While walking past a local bodega in the West Village I spied some of the most artistically arranged foodstuffs I'd ever seen. I snapped a couple of photos and promised myself to return after work.

<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border:0 none;" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/Stylistsphotogs/lizbodegacomp01.jpg" alt="mystery bodega food stylist" width="450" height="300" /><strong>artfully arranged packets of tomatoes meets neat rows of water versus super-organised pumpkins</strong></p>

<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border:0 none;" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/Stylistsphotogs/lizbodegafridge01.jpg" alt="mystery bodega food stylist" width="450" /></p>

When I came back in the evening to investigate, none of the staff were able to tell me the identity of the person who sets up the produce stand. They all looked at me a bit oddly and declared that the bins and shelves had simply "always been that way." I'm thinking that there's a talented night stockist just waiting to become the food world's Next Big Thing...

<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border:0 none;" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/Stylistsphotogs/lizbodegacomp02.jpg" alt="mystery bodega food stylist" width="450" height="300" /><strong>pomegranates, apples and plums arranged by hue while green and orange pop throughout the store</strong></p>

Hmm..I wonder who the mystery bodega food stylist is...maybe a late shift worker who uses symmetry and colour to keep him/her awake in the wee hours?!

<em>thanks liz!!</em>

<font size="1"><p style="text-align:right;">
<em>All images by Liz</em> </p></font>