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X users are scrutinizing the food served at the Critics Choice Awards after one journalist’s picture went viral onlineThe photo shows a charcuterie-like plate of food akin to airplane food, according to quippy social media followersAbbott Elementary’s Janelle James poked fun at the food during her acceptance speech on Jan. 4
Fans are hungry for more details about the Critics Choice Awards’ food.
Following the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, Jan. 4, social media was abuzz over Timothée Chalamet’s loving shoutout to Kylie Jenner, host Chelsea Handler’s quips and a measly-looking dinner plate.
New York Times columnist Kyle Buchanan shared a sneak peek into the awards show’s food, posting a picture of the “snack plate” on X. The post, which has over 2.8 million views as of this story’s publication, looked like it included grapes, a handful of crackers, two wedges of cheese, a spoonful of hummus, bruschetta, caprese skewers, one spanakopita and a few dried apricots.
A plate of food at the 31st Annual Critics’ Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 4.
Anna Webber/Getty
Several X users poked fun of the plate in the comments section, comparing the snack plate to airplane food or the infamously bare-bones meals from the Fyre Festival.
Even during the awards show, the dining options inspired jokes. Abbott Elementary’s Janelle James quipped about the food as she accepted her award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
“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!” James, 46, laughed while holding up her trophy.
Chase Infiniti, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Benicio del Toro at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 4.
Phillip Faraone/Getty
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This is not the first year that celebs are speaking openly about the food (or lack thereof) at awards shows.
During the 2024 Critics Choice Awards,The Color Purple’s Fantasia Barrino Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks and Oprah Winfrey were recorded responding to receiving bagged pizza. In the clip, Barrino asked, “Where are the lamb chops?” while Winfrey pointed to her mouth and said, “I’m not messing up my lips!”
Celebs have been photographed (looking at you, Paul Giamatti!) going to In-N-Out after awards ceremonies over the years. In 2024, Jimmy Kimmel told PEOPLE it’s “tradition” to head there after the Oscars.
“I think part of why is because when people are in L.A., one of the things on their list is to go to In-N-Out — and there are a lot of people that are in L.A. just for the Oscars — so they wind up going like, ‘Okay.’” Kimmel, 58, said at the time. “Also, you get very hungry, so In-N-Out is definitely the award show tradition. Nothing against McDonald’s, but on award show night, it’s In-N-Out.”
Dining and Cooking