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  1. Event Tech & Virtual

Eat Dirt, Glass, and More: 12 Dishes That Are Unexpectedly Edible

From "bloody" cupcakes to bitable spoons, these whimsical hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and snacks find catering companies thinking outside the box.

Michele Laufik
December 3, 2014

Catering seems to have stolen a page out of Willy Wonka's cookbook lately. Clever—and totally edible—food packaging, displays, and offbeat dishes inspired by unusual places, like gardening pots and beauty counters, are being served at more and more events. Here's a look at some of the surprisingly delicious items we've seen.

The Pot Pie Garden dessert from Barton G. LA features six individual pies (pecan, key lime, cherry jubilee, banana cream, rosemary apple, and Mississippi mud). Each pie is baked into an individual flower pot and topped with chocolate 'soil' and a sprig of fresh herb. Muddied (aka chocolate-stained) gardening tools and gloves complete the platter.
The Pot Pie Garden dessert from Barton G. LA features six individual pies (pecan, key lime, cherry jubilee, banana cream, rosemary apple, and Mississippi mud). Each pie is baked into an individual flower pot and topped with chocolate "soil" and a sprig of fresh herb. Muddied (aka chocolate-stained) gardening tools and gloves complete the platter.
Photo: Courtesy of Barton G.
Instead of traditional mother-of-pearl spoons, Peter Callahan serves dollops of caviar on tasty flatware made of Parmesan cracker dough, topped with crème fraîche and accompanied by a chilled shot of vodka.
Instead of traditional mother-of-pearl spoons, Peter Callahan serves dollops of caviar on tasty flatware made of Parmesan cracker dough, topped with crème fraîche and accompanied by a chilled shot of vodka.
Photo: Courtesy of Peter Callahan Catering
At the launch party for President’s Choice Black Label in September 2011, Allyson Meredith Bobbitt and Sarah Bell, pastry chefs and owners of Bobbette & Belle, served dark Venezuelan chocolate cake on edible plates made out of sugar. The two chefs molded each plate individually and hand-painted them with unique designs on site at Toronto's Neubacher Shor Contemporary Gallery.
At the launch party for President’s Choice Black Label in September 2011, Allyson Meredith Bobbitt and Sarah Bell, pastry chefs and owners of Bobbette & Belle, served dark Venezuelan chocolate cake on edible plates made out of sugar. The two chefs molded each plate individually and hand-painted them with unique designs on site at Toronto's Neubacher Shor Contemporary Gallery.
Photo: Ernesto DiStefano for Pimentel Photo
At the grand opening of the Miami Airport Convention Center in April 2012, a 'garden' was created out of toasted pumpernickel bread for dirt and included planted baby carrots, asparagus spears, and zucchini, as well as baby tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella flowers.
At the grand opening of the Miami Airport Convention Center in April 2012, a "garden" was created out of toasted pumpernickel bread for dirt and included planted baby carrots, asparagus spears, and zucchini, as well as baby tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella flowers.
Photo: Harvey Bilt
For the premiere of Dexter's eighth season in 2013, Magnolia Bakery came up with a killer cupcake—a red velvet confection that was spattered with caramel 'blood' and sugar 'glass' shards.
For the premiere of Dexter's eighth season in 2013, Magnolia Bakery came up with a killer cupcake—a red velvet confection that was spattered with caramel "blood" and sugar "glass" shards.
Photo: Courtesy of Magnolia Bakery
Inspired by Pixy Stix, Scoozi Events NYC created a dry, powder version of Nutella that resembled makeup powder for its beauty clients' events.
Inspired by Pixy Stix, Scoozi Events NYC created a dry, powder version of Nutella that resembled makeup powder for its beauty clients' events.
Photo: Courtesy of Scoozi Events NYC
At the Conservancy of Southwest Florida's fund-raiser at the Southwest Florida Nature Center campus in March 2012, shrimp salad, topped with sprouting greens, was presented in 'flower pots,' aka edible cups by Windows Catering Company.
At the Conservancy of Southwest Florida's fund-raiser at the Southwest Florida Nature Center campus in March 2012, shrimp salad, topped with sprouting greens, was presented in "flower pots," aka edible cups by Windows Catering Company.
Photo: Courtesy of Windows Catering Company
Austin, Texas-based Delysia Chocolatier creates personalized solid chocolate menus that can serve as replacements to traditional paper ones and be used as guest favors. Pricing starts at $19.50 each for a minimum order of 25, with a setup fee of $200.
Austin, Texas-based Delysia Chocolatier creates personalized solid chocolate menus that can serve as replacements to traditional paper ones and be used as guest favors. Pricing starts at $19.50 each for a minimum order of 25, with a setup fee of $200.
Photo: Wendi Poole
For the opening of its Midwest flagship store in Chicago in December 2011, Kiehl's created an on-site carnival with molecular gastronomy treats, such as pieces of paper that tasted like cotton candy, by Moto chefs and Top Chef: Texas contestants Richie Farina and Chris Jones.
For the opening of its Midwest flagship store in Chicago in December 2011, Kiehl's created an on-site carnival with molecular gastronomy treats, such as pieces of paper that tasted like cotton candy, by Moto chefs and Top Chef: Texas contestants Richie Farina and Chris Jones.
Photo: Jack Edinger
A popcorn-like snack that chefs called “edible packing peanuts” was dipped into dry ice for the Kiehl's store opening.
A popcorn-like snack that chefs called “edible packing peanuts” was dipped into dry ice for the Kiehl's store opening.
Photo: Jack Edinger
Guests at the Hope & Help Center’s Headdress Ball, held at the Hilton Orlando in September, dined on a banana tart for dessert, along with a palatable 'lipstick'—a hand-rolled cylinder of raspberry-flavored white chocolate presented in a plastic tube, which worked like real lipstick.
Guests at the Hope & Help Center’s Headdress Ball, held at the Hilton Orlando in September, dined on a banana tart for dessert, along with a palatable "lipstick"—a hand-rolled cylinder of raspberry-flavored white chocolate presented in a plastic tube, which worked like real lipstick.
Photo: Kayla Hernandez for BizBash
Wine and spirit agency Charton Hobbs, along with event production company Candice & Alison, created cocktails with an edible silver dust stencil for Cadillac's electric car launch event, held at UpCountry in Toronto in March.
Wine and spirit agency Charton Hobbs, along with event production company Candice & Alison, created cocktails with an edible silver dust stencil for Cadillac's electric car launch event, held at UpCountry in Toronto in March.
Photo: Kevin Gonsalves
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