Key Takeaways:
- The 2026 awards circuit has highlighted the issue of poor catering at high-profile events, with celebrities speaking out about the lack of decent food.
- Several stars, including Janelle James, Stellan Skarsgård, and Oprah Winfrey, have publicly criticized the food served at awards shows, with some even sharing photos of unappetizing meals on social media.
- The issue is not limited to one event, with celebrities sharing their disappointing dining experiences at various awards shows, including the Critics’ Choice Awards, Met Gala, Oscars, and SAG Awards.
- Some celebrities have taken matters into their own hands, smuggling food into events or ordering takeout to their hotels.
- The discussion around awards show catering has sparked a larger conversation about the prioritization of aesthetics and sustainability over the basic needs of guests.
Introduction to the Hunger Games of Awards Show Catering
In the high-stakes world of Hollywood awards season, the glamour and glitz of the red carpet are often overshadowed by a more pressing concern: the lack of decent food. Despite the millions of dollars spent on producing these events, the catering often falls short, leaving celebrities and attendees alike feeling hungry and frustrated. The 2026 awards circuit has seen a surge in celebrities speaking out about the poor food, with many taking to social media to share their disappointing dining experiences.
Celebrities Speak Out Against Poor Catering
One of the most shocking examples of the "dinner-less gala" occurred at the Critics’ Choice Awards, where several stars took to the stage and social media to air their grievances. Janelle James, winner of Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, quipped about the limited menu, saying, "The best thing about being nominated four times is realizing they’re never gonna feed us at this thing." Stellan Skarsgård, meanwhile, became the face of awards show hunger when a photo of him looking visibly distressed at a small plate of crackers went viral. Even Oprah Winfrey was not immune to the catering catastrophe, with a photo of her reacting in shock to servers circulating with individual pizza slices tucked inside plastic bags.
The Issue is Not Limited to One Event
The problem of poor catering is not limited to the Critics’ Choice Awards. Celebrities have shared their disappointing dining experiences at various awards shows, including the Met Gala, Oscars, and SAG Awards. At the 2023 Met Gala, Priyanka Chopra Jonas revealed that there was no bread served with dinner, leaving her feeling hungry. Keke Palmer, meanwhile, shared a photo of a wilted-looking plate of barley, mushrooms, and zucchini at the 2021 Met Gala, forcing the event’s chef to defend the three-course vegan menu. Simu Liu, star of Barbie, provided a comprehensive food review of the Oscars, rating the ceremony snacks a measly 3/10, but giving the official Governors Ball a glowing 11/10.
Celebrities Take Matters into Their Own Hands
In response to the poor catering, some celebrities have taken matters into their own hands. Julia Butters, then 10 years old, arrived at the 2020 Oscars with a turkey sandwich stowed inside her bejeweled Marzook bag, saying, "Sometimes the food here is not for me." Gemma Chan, star of Crazy Rich Asians, utilized the massive pockets of her pink Valentino gown to smuggle cookies and rice crackers into the 2019 Oscars. These moments of "survival of the chicest" have become a recurring theme in celebrity scrutiny, as fans wait to see which star will be the next to break the "no eating" taboo.
A Larger Conversation About Priorities
The discussion around awards show catering has sparked a larger conversation about the prioritization of aesthetics and sustainability over the basic needs of guests. Alex Borstein, star of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, posted a photo of her plant-based meal at the 2020 SAG Awards, captioning it, "In the words of John Merrick, ‘I am not a rabbit!’" Her commentary highlighted the tension between Hollywood’s noble sustainability goals and the basic caloric needs of performers who have been working since dawn. As the conversation continues, it remains to be seen whether awards show organizers will prioritize the needs of their guests, or if celebrities will continue to speak out against the poor catering.