We've all done it at an event—stopped a server with an eye-popping passed tray and snapped a pic for our Instagram feed. As food presentations at events only become more creative and elevated, this has certainly become the norm. But a lavish passed tray can do more than draw out guests' phones. They're a way to make sure an event leaves a delicious, lasting impression. Keep scrolling to see some of our favorites from the past few years.
In support of InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball 2023's “Le Sceptre Rose” theme, the hotel's culinary team crafted mini profiteroles topped with heart-shaped chocolates served in bubble bowls for guests to pair with welcome Champagne at the cocktail reception. See more: How This Renowned Miami Gala Engaged Attendees with a Spy-Themed Parisian Affair
Photo: World Red Eye
This '90s-themed corporate event—held last year in San Francisco and produced by Glow Events—featured these nostalgic mancala board passed trays, created by Foxtail Catering.
Photo: Meg Sexton
...and these passed trays with mini milk cartons. See more: This Corporate Event Has All the '90s Decor Inspo You Need
Photo: Meg Sexton
Bethesda, Md.-based Ridgewells Catering once presented neon chocolate bonbons in futuristic lit trays. See more: 6 Bright Bites That Will Bring Radiance to Any Event
Photo: Courtesy of Ridgewells Catering
Sometimes a memorable passed tray is all about who's serving it. During an extravagant dinner celebrating Fairmont Hotels' release of its new coffee-table book, Grand by Nature, servers donned Fairmont-branded astronaut helmets as a nod to a famous story about Fairmont hotel The Savoy, London, delivering Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin their first cocktail when they returned to Earth after their famed moon landing. Pinch Food Design handled the event's catering. See more: How Fairmont Hotels Brought the Brand's History to Life During Intimate Book Launch Event in NYC
Photo: B. Mills
Another example of a passed tray made memorable by themed servers: For a The Little Prince-themed bash in Miami, Constellation Culinary Group served qatayef, an Egyptian pancake stuffed with pulled lamb shank braised in date demi, orange blossom yogurt, crushed pistachios, and honey. Because the narrator of the book is a pilot, the dish was presented on a plane-look-alike tricycle operated by a server dressed in a pilot's uniform. See more: 10 Catering and Decor Ideas From This Poetic The Little Prince-Themed Networking Event
Photo: Shauna and Jordon
Gourmet Doritos, anyone? During a celebration for the launch of the chip brand's limited-edition nacho cheese-flavored spirit, created in partnership with Empirical, guests could enjoy cocktail party bites that all incorporated Doritos chips and flavors (including these yellowtail crudo bites). Pinch Food Design handled the event's catering. See more: This Stylish Launch Party Used Doritos as Decor (Yes, Really)
Photo: Poupay Jutharat
Ever been served by a balloon? When fintech company Klarna held its first U.S. event back in 2019, it enlisted Pinch Food Design for catering. Its creations throughout the night included these dessert trays attached to oversize helium balloons. Catering staff guided the balloons through the crowd. See more: What Cold? How Three Brands Got Event Guests to Brave the Polar Vortex
Photo: Christian Rodriguez
Balloons were also part of last year's Museum of Science and Industry’s Columbian Ball in Chicago. After dinner and a drone show, servers passed late-night bites on floating trays attached to giant balloons. Sodexo Live handled catering for the event. See more: 11 Steal-Worthy Event Ideas From Chicago’s Fall 2023 Benefits
Photo: Courtesy of Museum of Science and Industry
For a 2018 winter wonderland-theme party, New York-based Peter Callahan used actual snowballs to serve cocktails. The tray was laid with shaved ice to hold the snowballs in place, and the team carefully measured the amount of the drink to commensurate with the time the guest could comfortably hold the snowball—no gloves required. See more: Best of 2018: Caterers Describe the Coolest Dishes They Created This Year
Photo: Courtesy of Peter Callahan
During the pandemic, New York-based Elegant Affairs offered individual Korean beef ramen bowls (made with beef, pork, or chicken) and playfully packaged them in takeout containers—complete with chopsticks, of course. At the time, Elegant Affairs founder and president Andrea Correale said that, thanks to COVID-related challenges, “we had to become ‘party box’ specialists and rethink every food presentation so guests feel safe.” See more: 15 Low-Touch, High-Taste Catering Ideas for Live and Virtual Events
Photo: Courtesy of Elegant Affairs
Last year's City Harvest signature tasting event, BID, invited guests to a drive-in to benefit New Yorkers in need. Bites from the night included these caviar-filled cones. Great Performances handled catering for the events. See more: How City Harvest’s 2023 Drive-In-Themed Tasting Event Brought Movie Magic to Life
Photo: Eric Vitale
