Award shows are often criticized for being dull, repetitive events, and beyond changing the format, shortening the program, or reworking the decor, organizers of such gatherings have also created new takes on the standard trophy. Here's a selection of the most unusual objects given to honorees and winners.
To promote the Chevrolet Spark, the General Motors-owned brand hosted a parallel parking competition on July 24 in New York's meatpacking district. The winner, who was judged by a panel of so-called parking experts, received a mounted traffic cone award.
Photo: Mark Von Holden/AP Images for GM
On July 16 MTV Latin America hosted the first MTV Millennial Awards, a show designed to celebrate the millennial generation and social media engagement. Held in Mexico City, the event handed out fuschia-colored cat-shaped trophies—a nod to thousands of memes, images, and viral videos made about cats.
Photo: Chino Lemus
As part of the 2011 New York City Wine & Food Festival, professional chefs competed to make the tastiest meatball at the San Pellegrino Meatball Madness event. The toque with the highest score from the judges received a trophy topped with a plate of meatballs.
Photo: Jika González/BizBash
A croquet tournament for bartenders hosted by Hendrick's Gin in 2010 had awards topped with prop cucumbers.
Photo: Ben Gonzales
The third annual Eater Awards in November 2012 handed out cans of peeled tomatoes to its picks for the best food and drink from around the country. The tinned food trophies were, of course, covered in custom wrappers emblazoned with the names of winners.
Photo: Sam Horine
Billed as a culinary competition, this year's Citymeals-on-Wheels Chef's Tribute event pitted New York and Los Angeles chefs against each other. As a playful take on a typical trophy, the award for the winner was made from kitchen utensils.
Photo: Nadia Chaudhury/BizBash
