Serving Vessels that Surprise

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

Burrata served on a plate featuring a fork slot | Pinch Food Design (New York, NY)
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

Cocktails served in Star Wars themed glasses | Canon (Seattle)
Photo courtesy Jamie Boudreau

Miniature pan | Feastivities Events (Philadelphia, PA)
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

Miniature fry baskets | Feastivities Events (Philadelphia, PA)
Photo courtesy Leslie Gilbert 

Salads served in hanging globes | Marcia Selden Catering & Events (Stamford, CT)
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

Pasta service out of paint cans | Mise Conference
Photo courtesy Barilla