We were lucky to catch up with Otto Markel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Otto, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I’ve been learning to make Jell-O through trial and many errors. I don’t think I would do anything different to speed up my learning process, simply because to me the primary focus of my project is to learn.

Like many crafts, the trick to Jell-O is patience. You must wait until the Jell-O tells you it is ready before going to the next step. If you rush, your gelatin will not fully dissolve and instead of being clear, it will have little spots. If you rush, your fruits and nuts will no stay suspended, but sink to the bottom. If you rush, your cream cheese will not incorporate into the Jell-O and you will be left to eat Jell-O with splotches of cheese.

The biggest obstacle in learning had been purchasing materials. Before this project, I didn’t realize how many flavors of Jell-O have been discontinued (I wish I could have tried Italian-Salad-flavored Jell-O).

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

It started with a little spiral-bound book from 1963 titled “Joys of Jell-O”. I began flipping through it and what I found was intriguing, confusing, and fascinating. There was Jell-O with cauliflower and peppers: tall, clear, and glowing. Jell-O with chicken and mayonnaise: a squat, opaque ring with the suspense of something just underneath the surface. Why would a person create these things? Were they forgotten treasures or horrors better left to the past?

This question lurked in my brain for a month before I decided that I had to know. I tasked myself to create every recipe from the “Joys of Jell-O”.

As of this date, I’ve made 67 Jell-O recipes and I’m only about a third of the way done. I’ve truly enjoyed four Jell-O recipes. The rest have been varying degrees of somewhat okay to sticky nasty. I have no regrets.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

While making and tasting the Jell-O has its own rewards, the most joy that I get from this project is the reactions from folks. Almost everyone I speak to about the project has a Jell-O story. I’ve heard so many heartfelt recollections about a favorite aunt who would make this Jell-O for that holiday. Jell-O is a food of memories and fondness. Sometimes a person will tell me about how they haven’t had Jell-O in years, but decide to make a batch after watching me make so many. It’s an amazing feeling to see a little project you’ve worked on have an impact on people’s lives, however mundane it may seem.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Everyone can be a creative. Mostly it’s just putting in the time, repeating the steps, and waiting for something to “click”. Divine inspiration may work for some, but most of us are practicing techniques, experimenting a little, and constantly adjusting. Read as much as you can about a subject, but don’t forget to use your hands. Body knowledge is just as important mental knowledge.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/otto_vs_jello/

Image Credits
photos by Shivani Rustagi