Here is an interview with someone that makes 1:1 models of food, pretty amazing stuff: https://www.ana-cooljapan.com/contents/craftsmanship/interviews/foodmodelcraftsman/ (https://www.ana-cooljapan.com/contents/craftsmanship/interviews/foodmodelcraftsman/)
Thanks for that! Sometime back I tried my hand at fake food to enhance some exhibits at a village type outdoor museum. The Japanese food modelers were the best examples I could find to try to emulate. I couldn't afford their equipment and materials, but tried to follow their basic ideas. It was an interesting challenge. I made cheese, plum pudding, a smoked ham, leftovers from a plate of raw oysters, candies and other stuff.
Like everyone else, I suspect, I've seen food models in restaurants countless times over the years but never really gave them much thought. Pretty fascinating. Of course, now I have a craving for Hamachi nigiri, maybe a little tekka maki ...
Amazing stuff.