Catering and novelty have always gone hand-in-hand—novel menu ideas, novel food displays, and one of the easiest (and maybe one of the most memorable or impactful) are novel serving vessels. The miniature martini glasses and charcuterie cones have had their moment, but caterers today are looking for even more whimsical and outside-the-box thinking for showstopping bites and cocktails. Get inspired with these serving vessels that surprise for your next event.
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Homestyle meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas, and carrots served in Hungry Man inspired foil containers | Marcia Selden Catering & Events (Stamford, CT)
Photo courtesy Marcia Selden Catering & Events
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Hart to Hart (gin, pineapple rum, raspberry, Falernum, sparkling rosé, and bitters) served in a glass heart | Canon (Seattle, WA)
Photo courtesy Jamie Boudreau
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Cup O’ Noodles | 24 Carrots Catering & Events (Costa Mesa, CA)
Photo courtesy Villa Visuals
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Mini Skillet Paella | 24 Carrots Catering & Events (Costa Mesa, CA)
Photo courtesy Jodi Sasaki
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Mini sourdough English muffin with crushed avocado and rainbow micro flower, served on miniature chairs | 24 Carrots Catering & Events (Costa Mesa, CA)
Photo courtesy Katie Pritchard
![](https://www.catersource.com/sites/default/files/wine%20glass.png)
Goat’s Milk Panna Cotta served in a wine glass | 24 Carrots Catering & Events (Costa Mesa, CA)
Photo courtesy Brett Hickman
![](https://www.catersource.com/sites/default/files/cauldron.png)
Pot of Gold Mac n Cheese served in miniature cauldrons | 24 Carrots Catering & Events (Costa Mesa, CA)
Photo courtesy Villa Visuals
![](https://www.catersource.com/sites/default/files/eggshell.png)
Savory egg custard with truffle caviar served in a broken eggshell | 24 Carrots Catering & Events (Costa Mesa, CA)
Photo courtesy Villa Visuals
![](https://www.catersource.com/sites/default/files/fork%20slot.png)
Burrata served on a plate featuring a fork slot | Pinch Food Design (New York, NY)
Photo courtesy Pinch Food Design
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Cocktails served in a lightbulb | Blue Elephant Catering & Events (Saco, ME)
Photo courtesy Blue Elephant Catering & Events
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Magic Mushroom (Plantation dark, yuzu, Peychaud’s aperitivo, myrtle berry, lion’s mane, shiitake, and citrus) served in a mushroom-shaped glass | Canon (Seattle, WA)
Photo courtesy Jamie Boudreau
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Cocktails served in Star Wars themed glasses | Canon (Seattle)
Photo courtesy Jamie Boudreau
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Miniature pan | Feastivities Events (Philadelphia, PA)
Photo courtesy Feastivities Events
![](https://www.catersource.com/sites/default/files/canon.png)
The Canon (re-barreled cask strength Maker’s Mark, floral liqueur, bitter-sweet amaro, and blueberry-thyme shrub) served in a miniature canon | Canon (Seattle, WA)
Photo courtesy Jamie Boudreau
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Miniature fry baskets | Feastivities Events (Philadelphia, PA)
Photo courtesy Leslie Gilbert
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Salads served in hanging globes | Marcia Selden Catering & Events (Stamford, CT)
Photo courtesy Robert Norman Photography
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Soup and breadsticks served in miniature Campbell’s soup cans | Constellation Culinary Group (Philadelphia, PA)
Photo courtesy Constellation Culinary Group
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Pasta service out of paint cans | Mise Conference
Photo courtesy Barilla