There’s a reason we can instantly recall the trophies associated with the Oscars, the Grammys, and the MTV Video Music Awards—the iconic statues are unique, memorable, and something recipients would be proud to display. As BizBash C.E.O. David Adler discussed in a recent column, receiving a physical statue is a symbol that you have achieved success and recognition in your field—and that's a powerful thing.
So what should these awards look like? Click through the slide show for recent examples of food festivals, award shows, nonprofit galas, and more that have handed out thoughtful, unique, or just plain clever trophies and statues.
Nonprofit homeless youth resource center My Friend’s Place hosted its 30th-anniversary gala on April 8 at the Hollywood Palladium. Actor Jack Black hosted, and honorees included Miley Cyrus, Instagram, and chef Alice Waters. Each of the six awards presented was a unique, original, sculpted piece of art handmade by one of the organization’s youth artists.
Photo: Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for My Friend's Place
The inaugural BET Social Awards, which took place in February at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, celebrated the most memorable social media moments of 2017. Winners such as stand-up comedian Jess Hilarious (pictured) took home awards shaped like oversize hashtags.
Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET
The Tasty Awards, which were part of the annual Taste Talks Brooklyn, took place in September at the Weylin in New York. The 25 awards given out—to honor chefs, restaurants, food media, and others—resembled chef's knives.
Photo: Courtesy of the Tasty Awards
The second annual Mac & Cheese Fest Chicago took place in 2015 at the UIC Forum. The event had two sessions; in each, 50 restaurants competed for the "Golden Noodle" award. The award was given to the macaroni and cheese dishes that were deemed to have the best taste, texture, and creativity. Judges included chefs, food critics, and bloggers.
Photo: Metts Photo/Courtesy of Mac & Cheese Fest
For the South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s 2017 Burger Bash, which was hosted by chef Rachael Ray, winners took home trophies topped with hamburgers.
Photo: Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com
The Women’s International Film and Television Showcase honored influential women at the International Visionary Awards ceremony in Toronto in 2011. Honorees received wing-shaped porcelain awards for their inspiring work.
Photo: Arthur Mola
At the ninth annual Embassy Chef Challenge, held in Washington, D.C. in May 2017, the People's Choice and Judges Choice winners each received a golden pineapple trophy—a symbol of hospitality.
Photo: Mike Busada/Events DC
During the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in 2015, Guy Fieri hosted an event dubbed Meatopia. Fieri presented the winning trophies—a guitar for the fan favorite and a cow-topped trophy with flame accents as the judges' choice.
Photo: Larry Marano/Getty Images for SBWFF
At the fourth annual Chef’s Challenge: the Ultimate Battle for a Cure—which took place in Toronto in 2014 and raised money for breast and ovarian cancer research—the winning team left with a whimsical trophy decorated appropriately with cooking utensils.
Photo: Nick Lee/BestOfToronto.net
The Bandwagon Roadshow, a fusion of live music and custom and vintage cars, took place in Orlando in 2010. Winners of a car competition took home trophies made with antique engine pistons.
Photo: Jimi Beach
For the American Kidney Fund’s 40th anniversary gala in Washington, D.C. in 2011, the organization presented four awards, including those for Caregiver and Nephrologist of the Year. The awards themselves took on distinct shapes designed to reflect each category.
Photo: Juan Carlos Briceno/FotoBriceno
