**Biscuit Artworks Celebrate a Century of McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives**
A collection of inventive biscuit-based portraits has been revealed as part of McVitie’s milestone 100th birthday celebrations, putting some of the United Kingdom’s most iconic figures in a new, and rather tasty, light.
These unique mosaics – constructed entirely from McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives – pay homage to some of Britain’s leading cultural icons, including legendary broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald, legendary musician David Bowie, and acclaimed actress Dame Judi Dench. The portraits were the brainchild of award-winning artist Ed Chapman, renowned for his mosaics crafted from unconventional materials. Chapman’s meticulous handiwork saw over 180 hours spent assembling more than 1,000 biscuits into lifelike works of art.
The works are an imaginative response to a nationwide poll commissioned by McVitie’s, which asked 2,000 UK adults to identify the country’s top ten “True Original” icons – individuals who, much like McVitie’s own Chocolate Digestives, have shaped the nation’s culture across the past century. Unsurprisingly, the list is a roll call of British greatness, featuring the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, Sir David Attenborough, and Diana, Princess of Wales, alongside Bowie, McDonald and Dench.
Chapman’s three completed portraits will take pride of place at the upcoming McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives Experience – a special, immersive pop-up opening in central London. The free exhibition, set within Regent Street’s ‘Below the Lights’, runs from Friday 2 May until Monday 5 May, open daily from 11am to 7pm. Visitors will find the biscuit portraits forming the centrepiece of a dedicated gallery space, with an eclectic range of other biscuit-themed artworks displayed for the public to admire.
The gallery is strictly for viewing, not tasting, but the celebration doesn’t stop there. Guests are invited to wander through an interactive timeline charting a century of the iconic biscuit brand, reflecting on how McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives have become a staple feature of British teabreaks and culture alike. For those feeling peckish, an exclusive ‘Biscuit Bar’ will be serving up novel chocolate digestive creations, and limited-edition anniversary merchandise will be available to commemorate the occasion.
Commenting on the project, Benazir Barlet-Batada, Marketing Director for McVitie’s, reflected on the enduring place of the biscuit in British life: “As the True Original of the biscuit world, McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives have long been woven into the fabric of British society. It feels only fitting to celebrate both our heritage and the individuals who have defined British culture in a similarly unique way. These remarkable portraits crafted by Ed Chapman are a testament to that rich history.”
Barlet-Batada also highlighted the resonance of the three chosen icons, noting Bowie’s rise to stardom with his 1975 chart-topping hit, Dame Judi Dench’s lauded film career, and Sir Trevor McDonald’s knighthood in 1999 – all moments that, by chance or by tea break, may well have coincided with a Chocolate Digestive.
The top ten “True Original” British icons, as voted by the public, underscore the depth and diversity of UK achievement: Queen Elizabeth II, Sir David Attenborough, David Bowie, Diana (Princess of Wales), Dame Judi Dench, Sir Trevor McDonald, Freddie Mercury, Stephen Hawking, Margaret Thatcher, and John Lennon.
For art lovers, biscuit fans, and the simply curious, the McVitie’s Chocolate Digestives Experience promises an unmissable fusion of British nostalgia, creativity, and community spirit. It’s a fitting tribute to a century of snacking – and to those ‘true originals’ who have defined a nation. Entry is free, and with no booking required, all are welcome to join in this celebratory event at 44-48 Regent Street, Piccadilly, London.