Designing Food Zones That People Don’t Just Eat At, But Instagram!

By Ashi Vora- Junior Project and Marketing Manager, Gourmet Tales Co.

Let’s face it- we live in a world where the phone eats first.

Food zones today aren’t just about feeding people. They are about feeding the feed. Whether it’s a wedding, a brand pop-up, a concert, or a flea fest- food needs to perform. It needs to drip, pop, swirl, sizzle…and sparkle under the right lighting.

Food is the New Theatre

Gone are the days of boring buffet counters and generic chafing dishes. Guests now crave drama with their dessert. They want croissants oozing with Nutella, sushi torched on the spot, pani puri shots served in test tubes- anything that screams “RECORDING NOW” energy.

Remember those neon signs at The Grub Fest? Or the rainbow dumplings from The Art of Dumplings? Or that Magnum croissant everyone posted from T&T? That’s the vibe.

Looks Are Great, But Function Wins 

Yes, visuals matter, but chaos doesn’t. Of course, nobody wants to queue endlessly for that flaming cheese slider. The best- designed food setups flow. From smart signage and intuitive layouts to clean, quick plating and easy-to-hold portions- the experience and vibe matters just as much as the aesthetic. If the line kills the vibe, the Instagram story probably won’t make it either.

The ‘Instagram- Ready’ Design Code

Food zones are being designed with a photography-first mindset. Think fairy lights, mood boards, cheeky menu names, colour-coded plating, and takeaway packaging that feels like a gift box that pops on the screen. From matte ceramic plates to neon-lit name boards, every element is curated to be scroll-stopping. If you’ve ever seen the Matcha Strawberry Tres Leches at Bombay Sweet Shop, you know exactly what we mean- its edible art made for the feed. 

If It’s Not on the ‘Gram, Did You Even Eat It?

We’ve all been there, the table’s set, the food arrives, and before anyone dares to take a bite, there’s a quiet scramble to get the shot. Overhead angles, soft napkin props, maybe even a fork mid- air for that candid magic. Because in today’s world, a meal isn’t truly served until it’s posted.

But why?

Beyond aesthetics, sharing our food is a way to share our story, our taste, our tribe and our moment. It is a lifestyle flex meets memory bank, wrapped in a perfectly filtered frame. Psychologically, it taps into our need for connection and self- expression. When we post our brunch or cocktail flight, we’re not just saying “look what I ate”, but “look at the experience I’m having.” It’s validation, community, and storytelling all in one delicious frame.

So Where Does GTC Come In?

At Gourmet Tales Co., we are not event managers or caterers. We’re idea- makers. We consult with brands, venues, planners, and creators to help them shape experiences that look as good as they taste- and stay with guests long after the event is over.

We help answer questions like:

• What belongs on the menu and the menu board?

• What does this space need to make people stop, click and share?

• What’s the most viral format for this crowd, in this setting?

We don’t build the stalls- we help imagine what should be in them.

Because today, food isn’t just served. It’s curated, captured, and shared.

And the best events? They don’t just feed people. They feed the feed. Which one is the most foodilicious event you have attended?