Cater+Event Gala Awards

Your best work deserves its moment.

You created an experience worth talking about. Put the creativity, expertise, and teamwork behind it forward for industry recognition through the Cater+Event Gala Awards.

Submit Your Entry

Important Dates

Deadline line through October 31 Regular entry rate: $125 per entry through October 31. Final submissions close December 4, 2026. Joint-entry pricing is separate.

Deadline line from November 1 Entries are open through December 4, 2026. Late submission rate: $175 per entry. Joint-entry pricing is separate.

Recognition that keeps working after the applause

Your work already says a lot about your business. Industry recognition can give you another way to tell that story.

A Gala Awards achievement can become something to share in client proposals, on your website, across social media, and with the team that made it possible. It’s an opportunity to showcase your expertise, celebrate your people, and give prospective clients a reason to take a closer look.

The Cater+Event Gala Awards unite the heritage of the Achievement in Catering Excellence Awards and Special Events Gala Awards. Whether this is your first entry or you’re returning with your latest achievement, put forward the eligible work that shows your team at its best.

What recognition includes

Every winning entry earns a personalized engraved Cater+Event Gala Awards trophy along with digital credentials to showcase on your website and in email signatures.

Recognition through the Cater+Event Gala Awards extends far beyond the trophy. All finalists will receive:

Complimentary pass to the Cater+Event exhibit hall
Discounted ticket to the Closing Night Celebration
Media exposure through the Cater+Event website and newsletter
Promotion across Cater+Event’s social media channels

Winners will also be invited to attend an exclusive reception during this year’s Cater+Event conference in New Orleans, connecting with industry leaders and fellow award recipients.

2027 Award Categories

Find the category that fits your work

From the food and service to the design and experience, every project has a story. Explore the category requirements and choose where your strongest eligible work belongs.

Corporate & Association Events

Fundraising & Nonprofit Events

Catering

Weddings

Social Events

Design, Décor & Entertainment

Specialty Awards

Who Can Enter?

The Cater+Event Gala Awards celebrate outstanding work across catering, events, design, décor, entertainment and more.

Eligible entries must feature work or events that took place between: September 1, 2025 – October 31, 2026

Choose the category that best represents the work you’re most proud of and tell us why it deserves to be recognized.

Find Your Category & Submit

Entry Deadlines & Pricing

Don’t wait to put your best work forward. Enter by the regular deadline to receive the best submission rate.

Regular Submission $125 per entry

Deadline: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Entries must be received by 6 p.m. Central Time / 3 p.m. Pacific Time.

Late-Bird Submission $175 per entry

Deadline: Friday, November 27, 2026
Entries must be received by 6 p.m. Central Time / 4 p.m. Pacific Time.

Joint Entries $225

Joint entries recognize work submitted collaboratively by participating companies.

Start Your Submission

Recognition Takes the Stage in New Orleans

Recipients of the Cater+Event Gala Awards will be celebrated during Cater+Event 2027, March 22–25, 2027, in New Orleans.

This isn’t simply about taking home an award. It’s an opportunity to have your work—and the people behind it—recognized alongside outstanding professionals from across the catering and events industry.

Put your best work in front of the industry and become part of the first class of honorees in this new era of the Cater+Event Gala Awards.

Regular Entry Deadline: October 31, 2026

Recipient Attendance Requirement

All award recipients are required to be present at the Cater+Event Gala Awards ceremony during Cater+Event 2027 in New Orleans. Recipients will be notified 6–8 weeks prior to the ceremony, providing time to make travel arrangements. If a selected company is unable to attend the awards ceremony, an alternate recipient will be chosen.

Is This Your Year?
Think about the work your team has created over the past year. The event that exceeded every expectation. The menu guests are still talking about. The design that completely transformed a space. The wedding that became something extraordinary. The creative idea no one had seen before.

Which one deserves to be recognized?
Put your best work in front of the industry and become part of the first class of honorees in this new era of the Cater+Event Gala Awards.

Regular Entry Deadline: October 31, 2026

Enter The Cater+Event Gala Awards

Turn a standout project into a strong entry

Choose your work Select an eligible project that shows your team’s expertise. Eligible work must have taken place September 1, 2025–October 31, 2026.

Review your category Check the published criteria, required materials, and full entry terms before preparing your submission.

Tell the story Explain the brief, your approach, and what made the result exceptional. Use the category criteria to guide your narrative and supporting evidence.

Complete your submission Finish all required fields, supporting materials, and payment by the published deadline and cutoff.