There’s something magical about combining art and cuisine in one unforgettable evening. Recently, Good Food Events + Catering had the honor of catering a private event at the Chihuly Collection in St. Petersburg, Florida—a breathtaking gallery of world-renowned glass art, managed by our partners at uDream Events. The bold colors and sculptural beauty of Dale Chihuly’s work provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of exceptional food, fine conversation, and elevated hospitality.
A Warm Welcome: Cocktail Hour
Guests arrived to the glow of glass installations and were greeted with a thoughtful selection of signature passed hors d’oeuvres. Each bite was designed to be both approachable and memorable—whether it was the prosciutto-wrapped black mission fig with herbed goat cheese (a sweet and savory favorite), the delicate wild mushroom tart with mascarpone, or our always-popular pan-seared lump crab cake with Creole remoulade.
The hors d’oeuvres continued with a vibrant Key West ceviche—bright with key lime, shrimp, and bay scallops served with a crisp plantain chip—and a nod to Tampa’s culinary heritage with beef empanadas topped with chimichurri crema. The mix of flavors set the stage for the interactive dinner experience to come.
Dinner by Design: Interactive Stations
We believe food should be both delicious and engaging. For this event, guests enjoyed chef-attended food stations that encouraged mingling, sampling, and savoring. Each station offered a carefully composed small plate, ensuring every guest could indulge at their own pace.
The Bistro Steakhouse Experience
Our chefs hand-carved tender bistro steak to order, offering a choice of sauces including classic bordelaise, brandy peppercorn cream, or a decadent caramelized leek + gorgonzola fondue. Paired with herb-roasted fingerling potatoes and creamy spinach, this station brought the richness of a classic steakhouse into the gallery setting.
The Caprese Bar
One of the evening’s most visually striking stations—and a guest favorite—was the Caprese Bar. Guests created their own small plates from a selection of heirloom and cherry tomatoes, fresh and marinated mozzarella, and delicate slices of prosciutto, with flavorful touches like pesto, balsamic glazes, basil, and artisan sea salts. It was a fresh, colorful complement to the heartier stations and a perfect pairing with the artful backdrop of the Chihuly Collection.
The Pasta Creation Station
Interactive dining continued with our chef-attended pasta station, where dishes were cooked continuously for guests to enjoy hot and fresh. The offerings included:
- Smoked Mushroom + Cavatappi with roasted broccolini and blistered grape tomatoes in a parmesan cream sauce (vegetarian)
- Butternut Squash Gnocchi with crispy sage, kale, and pine nuts in a brown butter sauce (vegetarian)
- Duck Confit Cavatelli with oyster mushrooms, spring peas, and roasted garlic cream sauce
This station drew a crowd all evening, as guests watched their dishes come together and enjoyed a truly made-to-order experience.
A Perfect Pairing: Art + Cuisine
Catering at the Chihuly Collection is always a special experience—where culinary artistry meets world-class visual art. At Good Food Events + Catering, we pride ourselves on creating events that feel as seamless and inspiring as the settings they’re held in.
Whether it’s a wedding, corporate gathering, or private celebration, we love helping our clients bring their vision to life in some of Tampa Bay’s most iconic venues. The Chihuly Collection is a jewel among them, and we were honored to provide an evening of food and hospitality as striking as the art itself.
👉 Ready to plan your next unforgettable event? Let’s bring your vision to life with scratch-made food, impeccable service, and the perfect venue partner. Contact us today to start planning.