In addition to the traditional bar setups, large vitrines featured images from the Balmain for H&M campaign. Again, the visuals were in keeping with the subterranean vibe of the event and modeled after advertising found throughout mass transit walkways.
Milk Glass Productions planned the 10th anniversary celebration of Rembrandt Yard, a two-level art gallery and event space in Boulder, Colorado. The second floor incorporated cool colors, such as blue, purple, and green, into its "Create" theme. A cupcake display wall made by Milk Glass Productions reflected the color scheme, with cupcakes provided by Indulge Bakery.
For a recent event at the Perot Museum of Science and Nature in Dallas, Wolfgang Puck Catering employed a "chef shadowbox." Meant to provide a strong visual behind a more standard food station, a chef in a shadowbox prepared appetizers as guests looked on.
Other new stations at Wolfgang Puck Catering include a frozen sushi station. The activation displays fresh fish and sushi rolls atop illuminated ice blocks with frozen orchids and other flowers inside.
In Chicago, catering firm Limelight has an innovative format for serving fruit skewers. The fruits are inserted into a custom wall with thematic wallpaper design (which varies for different events). Guests approach the wall and pull of a skewer and can dip the fruit in sauces that are arrayed on a nearby table.
Liquor brand Svedka hosted its "Broken Resolutions" party on January 19 at Hyde Sunset in Los Angeles. The event had ironic stations inspired by classic New Year's resolutions people are likely to break. One such station was a doughnut wall from Hollywood Candy Girls that was marked with an "Eat Better" sign.
Looking for ideas on how to generate buzz at an event press conference? A press conference on January 21 for the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts—which takes place in April at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts—showcased culinary installations to communicate the festival's artistry. To highlight the festival's underwater concert, the conference featured an ice sculpture with musical instruments. It was paired with sushi for a taste of the sea. Garces Events produced the culinary installations.
The Steampunk-theme gala took place at the Carlu in Toronto on March 4. The evening featured a unique bar sponsored by digital marketing agency Ecentricarts. “Modernist Cocktails,” prepared by Barchef, included a concoction called the "Steampunk Snow.” The drink was made with elderflower “snow,” cubes of black licorice, basil sprouts, gin and chamomile, violet gel, and aromatics of grapefruit.
On January 30, the Chicago museum kicked off Black History Month with the 33rd iteration of its annual gala. Food For Thought provided a strolling buffet. Near the salad station filled with fresh vegetables, a wall from The Flower Firm was decorated with crates holding leaves and miniature garden plots.
The John F. Kennedy Center Opera Ball took place May 21 at the Organization of American States in Washington. For the event, in which the Washington National Opera celebrated a diamond anniversary, Occasions Caterers and Design Foundry created a custom hanging dessert buffet.
The inaugural Whiskey Fried Classic took place July 9 at the Brooklyn Expo Center in New York. Produced by Cannonball Productions, the whiskey and fried food event featured a make-your-own cocktail station in a secret speakeasy. Attendees could choose from a variety of ingredients to put in a plastic cup, which they then brought to a bartender to create a custom whiskey cocktail.
Orange liqueur Cointreau kicked off its artist-curated, cross-country Art of La Soirée tour with a French-theme summer garden party at Cedar Lake in New York on June 15. The custom L'Orangerie bar, which gave guests the chance to craft their own cocktails, served as a makeshift orange tree with a tower of the liqueur bottles that branched out into a lush ceiling canopy.
Cotton candy is a summertime staple for people of all ages. A new twist on the classic treat is cotton candy illuminated by a colorful LED stick. Glo Cone’s flashy catering option costs $500 for a case of 400 glowing cones; the candy is not included. The company can provide their product nationally for events such as festivals, birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and more.
