The glitz and glamour of Hollywood's awards season often comes with an expectation of luxury, but for stars at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, the reality was a surprisingly frugal dinner plate that has become the talk of the town.
A Meagre Meal for the Stars
Attendees at last Sunday's ceremony, a who's who of film and television, were served what has been widely derided as a lacklustre and minuscule meal. The offering, which was quickly dubbed a 'snack plate', consisted of a handful of pita chips, two small bunches of grapes, two cheese wedges, a small side of bruschetta, and two cherry tomatoes paired with cheeseballs and basil, all accompanied by a tiny dollop of hummus.
New York Times reporter Kyle Buchanan shared a photo of the meal online, captioning it: 'Hello from the Critics Choice Awards and our dinner, this snack plate.' The image swiftly drew comparisons to the infamous failures of the Fyre Festival and unappetising airline food, with the public and celebrities alike expressing their disbelief.
History Repeating: A Pattern of Poor Catering
This is not an isolated incident in the world of prestigious awards ceremonies. The issue of underwhelming food for A-list guests has a notable history. Back in 2013, Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence famously complained of being 'so hungry' on the red carpet, lamenting the length of the show.
More recently, the 2024 Critics Choice Awards faced similar scorn for serving pizza in a paper bag. A viral clip showed stars like Taraji P. Henson and Fantasia Barrino receiving their slices, with Barrino joking, 'Where are the lamb chops?' Oprah Winfrey notably refused to eat hers, citing concerns about ruining her makeup.
Celebrity Reactions and a Rare Bright Spot
The 2026 meal did not go without direct commentary from the winners' podium. Janelle James, who won Best Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series for Abbott Elementary, used her acceptance speech to mock the catering. 'The best thing about being nominated four times is I'm finally realizing they're never gonna feed us at this thing, it's gonna be just grapes and ice cream every year, but this makes up for it!' she quipped.
There have been exceptions to the rule. In 2018, Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel took a proactive approach, providing each guest with a personalised snack box. 'We don't like it when people are hungry,' he explained, also announcing a donation to a food bank for each box given out. This gesture remains a rare highlight in the often-criticised world of awards show hospitality.
The consistent mockery of these meals highlights a curious disconnect between the opulent image of Hollywood and the sometimes surprisingly modest reality experienced by its biggest stars during long, high-profile evenings.
