When planning a special event, every element matters—from the lighting and florals to the seating arrangements and centerpieces. But one often-overlooked design element is right on your plate. Yes, we’re talking about cuisine as décor. Imagine a stunning spread of hors d'oeuvres and desserts that not only tantalize your guests' taste buds but also visually reflect the theme or purpose of your event. Now that’s edible art!
This event featured the artwork from the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Surrounded Islands Documentation Exhibition. The event was thrown by the NSU Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
As a South Florida photographer who captures an incredibly diverse range of events, I’ve seen cuisine take on this creative role time and time again. From corporate gatherings and weddings to bar mitzvahs and networking soirées, one thing ties these events together besides celebration—that's food. Believe me when I say, well-designed and themed cuisine should become a staple of your event’s overall decor. Click this link to see pictures from the actual event. Check out how the main course was created to look like an island surrounded by pink.
The Power of Cuisine in Event Décor
Food is not just sustenance at events; it’s a conversation starter, a memory maker, and when designed properly, a showcase of creativity. Event planners constantly look for ways to surprise guests and set their occasions apart from all the others. Integrating cuisine into your decor achieves this effortlessly. Photographing events, I have seen more than my fair share of theme based desserts. I have photographed football theme, bar mitzvah, where the cupcakes had little footballs on top or team logos on top of a cookie. However, the act of creating an actual dish that looks like the decor or the artwork from the event now that is very unique. It's also a testament to the skill of the catering company. In this event, the caterer who made this beautifully looking dessert was, Thierry'a Catering.
Here’s why food as decor is such a game-changer:
An Inspiring Example from Fort Lauderdale
One event I recently photographed in Fort Lauderdale took using cuisine as decor to a whole new level. The event’s focus was unique artwork created by an artist who famously wrapped small Florida intracoastal islands in bright pink fabric. Naturally, the event’s design called for creativity and innovation, with every aspect honoring this bold artistic statement.
The dessert table, in particular, was the pièce de résistance. Each piece of dessert reflected the event’s theme, incorporating bright pink accents, angular shapes, and artistic flair that mimicked the wrapped islands. For a moment, I forgot I was photographing food and felt like I was capturing pieces of installation art. The desserts were not just displayed; they were staged like sculptures in a gallery.
This artistic take on event cuisine made a lasting impression—not just on the guests, but also on me as the photographer. Every frame captured the ingenuity in blending food and decor.
How to Incorporate Cuisine into Your Event Décor
Planning your own event? There’s truly no limit to how cuisine can enhance your decor. Here are six tips to inspire you as you team up with your caterer or culinary team to bring the concept to life:
1. Reflect the Theme in Design
Start with the end in mind. What’s the event’s theme or tone? For a formal black-tie affair, you might choose sleek, monochromatic food displays with delicate garnishes. For a rustic outdoor wedding, think floral-topped charcuterie boards, farm-to-table spreads, and edible wildflower accents.
2. Use Color to Your Advantage
Color is a powerful way to tie the cuisine to your event design. Whether it’s pastels for a bridal shower, corporate blues, or vibrant hues for a tropical soirée, coordinate the colors of your dishes with your event’s palette. Desserts, in particular, lend themselves well to creative coloring through icing, fruits, and edible flowers.
3. Get Creative with Presentation
How food is served can make all the difference. Opt for geometric platings to add modern flair, tiered displays for height, or creative serving vessels like mason jars, seashells, or mini artist palettes. Elevate the look by adding unique backdrops or decor around the serving station to highlight the theme further.
4. Make It Interactive
Interactive food stations, like build-your-own taco bars, customizable dessert tables, or liquid nitrogen ice cream counters, engage guests while adding an unforgettable visual element. The combination of activity, presentation, and creativity will leave guests talking about your event long after it ends.
5. Don’t Forget the Tasting Experience
While we’re focusing on the visual appeal, remember that flavor matters just as much! Collaborate with your culinary team to ensure the dishes are flavorful and reflected in their presentation. For example, a fruity, tropical dish should look fresh and vibrant to match its flavor profile.
6. Tie Cuisine to the Purpose of the Event
If your event has a special purpose, like promoting art, celebrating a brand launch, or supporting a charity, incorporate that into the food. For example, you can design dishes inspired by an artist’s work, use food to showcase the colors of a new brand logo, or shape desserts into symbols associated with your cause.
Why Event Planners Should Leverage Culinary Creativity
If you’re an event planner or decor enthusiast, elevating the role of cuisine in your events not only makes the experience memorable for the guests but also demonstrates your creativity and attention to detail. This is the kind of thoughtful touch that keeps clients coming back for future bookings or referring your services to others!
Your caterer can be a great partner in this. Share your event vision ahead of time and work collaboratively to develop a cohesive menu that’s as visually arresting as it is delicious. Don’t be afraid to think beyond traditional plated meals; consider integrating decor elements into drinks, appetizers, and even edible centerpieces.
Final Thoughts,
Whether you're an event planner, foodie, or just someone who appreciates incredible event photography, cuisine as decor adds a whole new dimension to the guest experience. The next time you’re organizing a corporate event, wedding, or celebration, remember to make your menu a part of your design.
Looking for inspiration or creative photos that showcase these unique design opportunities? Be sure to follow me on Instagram and check out the gallery of amazing events I’ve had the privilege of photographing.
If you’re planning your next event in South Florida and need a photographer to capture all the visual magic—including the edible kind!—get in touch. Let's work together to make your event unforgettable.
Tagline Idea: When food becomes art, you know it’s an event worth savoring.
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida .