Critics Choice Awards Faces Backlash Over ‘Sad’ Snack Plate Served to Stars
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The 2026 Critics Choice Awards, a night that brought together Hollywood’s elite from Leonardo DiCaprio to Timothée Chalamet, has unexpectedly sparked a viral conversation—not about the winners or the speeches, but about the food served to attendees. Hosted by Chelsea Handler, the event’s modest “snack plate” dinner quickly drew criticism and ridicule after reporter Kyle Buchanan shared a close-up photo of the meal on social media. The plate, featuring bruschetta, grapes, cheeses, and skewers, was widely described as underwhelming and insufficient for a star-studded evening.
“Hello from the Critics Choice Awards and our dinner, this snack plate. Follow along for updates…” Buchanan tweeted, alongside the now-infamous image. The reaction was swift and scathing. One Twitter user quipped, “I didn’t know rabbits were attending,” while another likened the offering to airline food, saying, “This looks like it was purchased for $14 on a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Houston.” Others lamented that the critics deserved something more substantial after a long night of celebrating cinematic achievements.
However, not all responses were negative. Some defended the snack plate as a practical choice for an event where guests need to remain attentive. On Reddit, one user praised the meal as “the perfect ‘I’m hungry, but we’re supposed to be paying attention, lemme grab a bite really quick’ plate.”
The food controversy echoed comments made earlier in the evening by Janelle James, who won Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on Abbott Elementary. During her acceptance speech, James joked about the lack of food at the Critics Choice Awards, saying, “The best thing about being nominated four times is I finally realized they’re never gonna feed us at this thing. It’s gonna be grapes and ice cream every year, but this makes up for it!” Her remarks were quickly linked to the viral snack plate photo, with many online agreeing that her humor hit the mark.
This is not the first time the Critics Choice Awards have faced scrutiny over their catering choices. In 2024, Oprah Winfrey was famously surprised when served what was described as “pizza in a bag,” an incident that drew widespread attention and criticism. Film producer Jen D’Angelo later called the offering “absolutely revolting 3D printed ass pizza,” highlighting the ongoing dissatisfaction with the event’s food.
As awards season continues, the discourse surrounding the Critics Choice Awards’ dining arrangements raises questions about the expectations for hospitality at high-profile industry events. While the focus typically rests on the accolades and performances, the quality and presentation of food have become a recurring topic of conversation, reflecting broader cultural conversations about luxury, value, and respect for guests.
For those interested in the logistics and standards of event catering, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides guidelines on food safety and preparation that caterers at large events must follow. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers resources on preventing foodborne illnesses, crucial for gatherings of this scale.
As the Critics Choice Awards look to future ceremonies, the buzz around their snack plate serves as a reminder that even the smallest details can capture public attention and shape the narrative of an event. Whether the organizers will respond by upgrading their menu remains to be seen, but for now, the internet’s appetite for commentary on awards show food shows no signs of slowing.
More on the topic can be found through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s food industry standards, which ensure safe working conditions for those preparing and serving food at large events, underscoring the complexity behind every plate served at major ceremonies.
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