“Custom creations”
Brittany Zahorchak is a Virginia-based creative specializing in carving food and soap into beautiful, intricate pieces of art. Inspired by nature, Zen and music, Brittany’s work is unique, detailed and based off of traditional Thai carving technique.
Where did it all begin? It started partially in culinary school and out on internship. During an unexpected shift in internships, Brittany landed in Virginia on Shenandoah Drive, close to home. That is where she met several other Thai interns, one in particular, taught her how to carve more detailed flowers and more Thai influenced styles.
With new patterns in mind, no carrot or pumpkin was safe from the delicate, yet intimidating blade for a few years. After several years of off and on carving, Brittany tried to find a job as a food artist to no avail. Thus, a seed was planted.
In 2018, Brittany traveled to Thailand to attend the Siam Carving Academy in Bangkok, for a week. With a cramped hand, improved techniques and new ideas, it was time to turn a hobby into a career. Spending about a year researching and having help from the SBDC, she was well on her way to achieving that goal. With a plan in mind and a lot of determination, in the summer of 2019, BZ Carving was founded.
In 2019 Brittany suffered a hand injury that changed the course of BZ Carving. With a severed tendon on her right hand and surgery shortly after, what was to become of the carving artist? There was a time Brittany didn’t think she would be able to carve again… or maybe it’s best to say never carve at the same caliber. With the help of a very skilled surgeon and many months of physical therapy, Brittany persevered and adapted to her new hand and its capabilities. Once specializing in carved fruit and vegetables , BZ Carving changed into creating custom shadowbox art with handmade soap and other media.
A message from Brittany:
I want to say thank you to everyone who supported me by a shared/liked post, showing my work to someone, thinking of me during pumpkin season, buying things I made for years to support this dream, donations, loans and so much more. I wouldn’t have been able to make it this far with out your encouragement, love and support. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart <3
P.S. My hand is better and worse in some ways when it comes to carving. I’m learning to live with it but I won’t let this injury stop me from creating. It will only make me stronger, more determined and dedicated to the craft.