Artificial intelligence has officially entered the world of food and events, and wow, it’s made things look stunning. Perfectly styled charcuterie boards, glowing cocktails, elaborate tablescapes that look like they belong in a movie. It’s easy to get swept up in the beauty of it all.

Expectation: This image was generated using AI. Notice the rows of perfectly identical, pre-made drinks that look flawless but a little too perfect to be real. In real life, every cocktail we pour has its own artistry, crafted fresh behind the bar by the Top Shelf team.

What Most People Don’t Realize

But here’s what most people don’t realize: some of those incredible photos making the rounds online aren’t real. They’re AI-generated or carefully styled for photography rather than actual service. And while that might not sound like a big deal, for those of us working behind the scenes at real events, it can create a completely different kind of challenge.

At Top Shelf Cuisine & Cocktails, we love creativity. We want to see what inspires our clients, from Pinterest boards to AI mockups to TikTok videos. Those ideas help us understand the look and feel they’re dreaming of. The difference is, our job is to take those dream visuals and make them work in real life.

Reality: This photo of Top Shelf Cuisine & Cocktails bar setup was taken by Judy Wagner Photo at the Phams’ elegant wedding at The Bower in Edmond, OK. The event was planned by Fête, florals were by *XO Haleigh Kenney, and rentals were Marianne’s Rentals and OKC Marquee Event Rentals.*

Because when you’re feeding and serving 200 guests in Oklahoma heat, a glowing cocktail might not stay glowing, and that tower of food might not stay upright. And don’t even get me started on what the health department would say about some of those AI-generated setups.

What We’ve Learned

AI can help spark imagination, but hospitality is still human. The beauty of a real event is in the rhythm of service, the laughter around the table, and the thoughtful details that make your guests feel cared for. That’s what makes the photos and the memories unforgettable.

So yes, we love seeing those creative ideas float around online. But the real artistry happens when we translate them into something safe, functional, and absolutely delicious without losing any of that visual magic.

What We Strive For

That’s the balance we strive for at Top Shelf: stunning design that’s as practical as it is beautiful. Because Exceptional Service & Unrivaled Experience isn’t just our tagline, it’s the promise we deliver on every single time.