The Met Gala is renowned not just for its stunning fashion but also for its meticulously curated dining experiences. Each year, the menu complements the event’s theme, offering guests an exquisite taste of creativity alongside high style. Let’s explore the remarkable culinary highlights from recent editions of the Met Gala, showcasing how top chefs have turned food into an art form.
2024: A Dreamy, Nature-Inspired Menu
Last year’s Met Gala embraced the enchanting theme of Sleeping Beauty’s reawakening. The menu echoed this fairy-tale atmosphere with a fresh spring vegetable salad, elegantly topped with elderflower foam, raspberry vinaigrette, olive crumble, and delicate butterfly croutons. This whimsical spread aligned with the over 270 nature-inspired centerpieces that transformed the venue, creating a cohesive experience between the décor and cuisine.
2023 and 2022: A Blend of Elegance and Innovation
The 2023 event paid homage to Karl Lagerfeld’s love of intimate dinner parties, with a menu crafted by caterer Oliver Cheng. Guests enjoyed a chilled spring pea soup garnished with baby vegetables, truffle snow, and lemon crème fraîche. The main course featured Ora King salmon accompanied by vegetable nage, asparagus, radish, and pickled strawberries—highlighting seasonal freshness and refined flavors.
The previous year’s menu took a more diverse approach. Vegan chef Lauren Von Der Pool led the cocktail hour, while Top Chef’s Melissa King prepared the first course. Chef Marcus Samuelsson handled the entrée, and Amira Kasem from Flower Shop designed the desserts. The selection ranged from coconut ceviche tostada bites and compressed watermelon sushi to truffled potato bites and rice cakes. Entrées like beef tenderloin with collard greens slaw and sweet potatoes with cornbread crumble stood alongside dishes featuring yuzu kosho and Sichuan chili oil, delivering a dynamic fusion of tastes.
2019 to 2021: Classic Flavors with Modern Twists
| Year | Notable Dishes | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Baby shrimp toast, filet of beef, gianduja cake | Balance of rich flavors and elegant presentation |
| 2021 | Collard greens, black rice porcini arancini, apple mousse | Southern-inspired dishes blended with modern techniques |
In 2019, the menu featured delicate starters such as baby shrimp toast and asparagus tart with celery leaf pesto, progressing to a filet of beef entrée accompanied by beet horseradish crema and braised rainbow carrots. The desserts, including gianduja chocolate hazelnut cake and espresso, rounded off a sumptuous meal.
Meanwhile, the 2021 gala offered dishes inspired by Southern cuisine, like collard greens and coconut buttermilk cornbread. The main courses incorporated creamy barley, pickled turnips, and roasted maitake mushrooms, while the apple mousse dessert added a refined finish to the meal.
That said, each Met Gala menu stands as a testament to the event’s dedication to immersive artistry—melding fashion, atmosphere, and gastronomy in one unforgettable night.
For more on the Met Gala and its latest updates, visit the official Metropolitan Museum of Art website.