THE DISH By International Caterers Association
A Culinary Spectacle
The CATIE Award Recipient and Finalists for Best Buffet or Action Station
E very year, the CATIE Awards recognize the most innovative and inspiring culinary experiences in the catering industry . The 2025 finalists for Best Buffet or Action Station elevated food presentation and interactive dining to an art form, captivating guests with bold flavors, creative storytelling, and immersive design. Recipient: “Winter Seacuterie” by Proof of the Pudding Taking home the top honor, Proof of the Pudding’s Winter Seacuterie was a breathtaking feast of the ocean’s finest delicacies, masterfully arranged for a private holiday event. Designed to be both a luxurious grazing experience and a show-stopping visual, this station showcased Regiis Ova caviar, Alaskan king crab, South African lobster, Chilean sea bass, jumbo shrimp, and wakame fried oysters, all anchored by a dramatic ice bar of sushi. Each component was carefully curated to balance elegance with guest engagement. A standout feature was the caviar tasting, where guests were guided through the subtle differences of premium selections served with blinis, kettle chips, crème fraîche, and on mother-of-pearl spoons. The pièce de résistance was the towering ice sculpture, which cradled sushi and sashimi in bell-shaped recesses,
Winter Seacuterie from Proof of Pudding was a spectacular feast featuring the ocean’s finest delicacies. Photo courtesy International Caterers Associaton/Proof of the Pudding
engineering marvel, with a conveyor belt adorned in brass gears and Victorian-inspired embellishments delivering small plates to eager guests. The menu paid homage to the era’s aesthetic and industrial roots, featuring smoked trout with crème fraîche and caviar, duck confit on gluten-free seeded crackers, and smoked cheese and potato croquettes over rust-colored romesco sauce. As the plates glided down the custom-built track, guests were enchanted by the theatricality of the experience, capturing videos and marveling at the intricate mechanics. This station wasn’t just about serving food—it was about storytelling, innovation, and creating a truly one-of-a-kind event.
inviting guests to pluck their favorite bite from the frozen display. The seamless execution, premium ingredients, and artful presentation cemented this station as a worthy champion. Finalist: “Mini Entrees Conveyor Belt: Steampunk- Themed Company Rebrand” by Smashing Dishes Bringing the industrial age to life, Smashing Dishes created a Steampunk-Themed Mini Entrees Conveyor Belt that blurred the line between culinary craftsmanship and mechanical innovation. Designed for a company’s post-COVID rebrand event, this station was an
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SPRING 2025 ■ CATERSOURCE
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