Catering and novelty have always gone hand-in-hand—novel menu ideas, novel food displays, and one of the easiest (and maybe one of the most memorable or impactful) are novel serving vessels. The miniature martini glasses and charcuterie cones have had their moment, but caterers today are looking for even more whimsical and outside-the-box thinking for showstopping bites and cocktails. Get inspired with these serving vessels that surprise for your next event.
Homestyle meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas, and carrots served in Hungry Man inspired foil containers | Marcia Selden Catering & Events (Stamford, CT)
Photo courtesy Marcia Selden Catering & Events
Hart to Hart (gin, pineapple rum, raspberry, Falernum, sparkling rosé, and bitters) served in a glass heart | Canon (Seattle, WA)
Photo courtesy Jamie Boudreau
Cup O’ Noodles | 24 Carrots Catering & Events (Costa Mesa, CA)
Photo courtesy Villa Visuals
Mini Skillet Paella | 24 Carrots Catering & Events (Costa Mesa, CA)
Photo courtesy Jodi Sasaki
Mini sourdough English muffin with crushed avocado and rainbow micro flower, served on miniature chairs | 24 Carrots Catering & Events (Costa Mesa, CA)
Photo courtesy Katie Pritchard
Goat’s Milk Panna Cotta served in a wine glass | 24 Carrots Catering & Events (Costa Mesa, CA)
Photo courtesy Brett Hickman
Pot of Gold Mac n Cheese served in miniature cauldrons | 24 Carrots Catering & Events (Costa Mesa, CA)
Photo courtesy Villa Visuals
Savory egg custard with truffle caviar served in a broken eggshell | 24 Carrots Catering & Events (Costa Mesa, CA)
Photo courtesy Villa Visuals
Photo courtesy Villa Visuals
Burrata served on a plate featuring a fork slot | Pinch Food Design (New York, NY)
Photo courtesy Pinch Food Design
Photo courtesy Pinch Food Design
Cocktails served in a lightbulb | Blue Elephant Catering & Events (Saco, ME)
Photo courtesy Blue Elephant Catering & Events
Magic Mushroom (Plantation dark, yuzu, Peychaud’s aperitivo, myrtle berry, lion’s mane, shiitake, and citrus) served in a mushroom-shaped glass | Canon (Seattle, WA)
Photo courtesy Jamie Boudreau
Photo courtesy Jamie Boudreau
Cocktails served in Star Wars themed glasses | Canon (Seattle)
Photo courtesy Jamie Boudreau
Photo courtesy Jamie Boudreau
Miniature pan | Feastivities Events (Philadelphia, PA)
Photo courtesy Feastivities Events
Photo courtesy Feastivities Events
The Canon (re-barreled cask strength Maker’s Mark, floral liqueur, bitter-sweet amaro, and blueberry-thyme shrub) served in a miniature canon | Canon (Seattle, WA)
Photo courtesy Jamie Boudreau
Photo courtesy Jamie Boudreau
Miniature fry baskets | Feastivities Events (Philadelphia, PA)
Photo courtesy Leslie Gilbert
Photo courtesy Leslie Gilbert
Salads served in hanging globes | Marcia Selden Catering & Events (Stamford, CT)
Photo courtesy Robert Norman Photography
Photo courtesy Robert Norman Photography
Soup and breadsticks served in miniature Campbell’s soup cans | Constellation Culinary Group (Philadelphia, PA)
Photo courtesy Constellation Culinary Group
Photo courtesy Constellation Culinary Group
Pasta service out of paint cans | Mise Conference
Photo courtesy Barilla
