Food, Religion and Good Taste

It’s not the first time the figure of Jesus Christ has been rendered in chocolate, but it’s controversial enough to get an exhibit at a New York City art gallery cancelled.

Sculptor Cosimo Cavallaro’s “My Sweet Lord” is a life-sized, naked Jesus. Christians- mostly Catholics, in this case- have no taste for it.

The artwork, fashioned from more than 200 pounds of milk chocolate, presented Christ with his arms outstretched as though nailed to an invisible cross. The Cavallaro creation, in contrast with typical religious portrayals of Christ, did not include a loincloth.

Word of the milk chocolate Christ infuriated Catholics, including (Cardinal Edward) Egan, who described it as “a sickening display.”

Newsday

In another pre-Easter food fracas, KFC is still waiting for an answer from Pope Benedict- and will probably wait for all eternity.

Late last month, the fast food chain asked for a papal endorsement of its Fish Snacker, “a tender, flaky filet of 100 percent Alaskan Pollack topped with tangy tartar sauce and served on a warm sesame bun.”

Someone writing releases for KFC went so far as to call the sandwich a “modern take on ‘loaves and fishes’ for today’s Lenten observers.”
Yes, they’re still waiting to hear from the Holy Father on that one. But don’t be surprised if you hear of a KFC or two being struck by lightning.

High Rollers Brought Low

A couple of gamblers who rolled the dice and lost, wound up in big trouble with the law this week. One was Rhison Williams from Syracuse, who police say is not the kind of guy you should offer a test drive to.

NewsChannel 9 tells us Williams sped away from an Infiniti delaership on West Genesee Street Friday with a $57,000 car, and drove to a James Street jewelry store, where he tried on a $6,200 bracelet and walked out with it. Police spotted the car, arrested Williams, and got the merchandise back. Nice try, though.

Another high roller was successful, up to a point. James Locastro’s neighbors in Clay thought he was just rolling driveways, in the paving business he ran out of his home. But he was also racking up $900,000 in gambling winnings.

His mistake, federal prosecutors tell The Post Standard, was in not telling the IRS about that. It’s one of those stories the feds love to roll out, as income tax deadline day approaches. They point out that Locastro could spend six years in prison if he’s found guilty. A timely warning, although gambling and coming out nearly a million bucks ahead is not a problem many of us have.