The Critics Choice Awards, a prestigious event marking the beginning of the 2026 awards season, took place in Santa Monica over the weekend. Known for its star-studded guest list and glamorous atmosphere, the ceremony is a highlight on Hollywood’s calendar. However, this year, the event faced unexpected ridicule online, primarily due to its underwhelming food offerings.
Attendees were greeted not with lavish spreads typical of such high-profile gatherings, but rather with a rather lackluster selection of cheese, grapes, and crackers. This disappointing menu was highlighted by New York Times reporter Kyle Buchanan, who shared a photo of the uninspiring plate on social media. His post, which simply stated, “Hello from the Critics Choice Awards and our dinner, this snack plate,” quickly garnered attention and sparked a wave of mockery.
The image depicted a haphazardly arranged plate that many deemed “sad.” Social media users were quick to draw comparisons to the infamous Fyre Festival, a notorious event that promised luxury but delivered disaster. One commenter humorously likened the Critics Choice meal to the infamous cheese sandwich served at Fyre Festival, which had become a symbol of the event’s failure. This comparison only fueled the online ridicule, as attendees and followers alike expressed disbelief that such a meager offering could be presented at an awards show.
Comments ranged from light-hearted jabs to more pointed critiques. One user quipped, “This looks like a meal on a United flight, not at an award show,” while another remarked, “The critics should choose something more substantial for dinner.” Even high-profile guests were not spared from the unimpressive fare, as it became clear that everyone, regardless of their status, received the same uninspired platter.
The lack of substantial catering was not lost on the award winners either. During her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, actress Janelle James humorously referenced the mediocre food. “The great thing about being nominated four times is I finally realized they ain’t never gonna feed us at this thing,” she quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience. Her playful acknowledgment of the situation highlighted the absurdity of the event’s catering choices, further amplifying the conversation around the topic.
As the evening unfolded, the juxtaposition of the glitzy atmosphere and the disappointing food became a focal point of discussion. While the Critics Choice Awards are typically a celebration of artistic achievement, this year’s event will likely be remembered for its culinary shortcomings. The online backlash serves as a reminder that even the most glamorous events can falter in unexpected ways, leaving attendees and viewers alike to wonder what went wrong in the planning process.
The Critics Choice Awards, while a significant event in the awards season, now faces a unique challenge: how to recover from the online ridicule surrounding its catering. As the awards season continues, it remains to be seen whether other events will take note and ensure that their food offerings meet the high expectations set by the star-studded guest lists and glamorous red carpets.
