Secrets of a screen food stylist

Susan Spungen is a world class food stylist. Although you probably wouldn't recognise her, you almost certainly will have seen her work in films such as It's Complicated, Julie & Julia as well as her latest box office smash, Eat, Pray, Love. Carving out her foodie career, Susan has previously worked as a chef and assistant to the legendary doyenne of domestication, Martha Stewart.

In the film adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Julia Roberts' character samples many of the great delicacies Rome has to offer. Susan provided 'glistening' versions of 'bucatini all’amatriciana', 'trippa alla romana' and 'veal saltimbocca' (and, of course, classic Italian pizza).

And how does Susan keep the food looking at it's freshly made best? "Oil is my best friend. I have a little water sprayer. Always mist…" 

Eat, Pray, Love is released on DVD on 23 November in the US and 17 January in the UK.

Follow the link to discover more of Susan's trade secrets, in the NY Times' T-Magazine blog interview