Met Gala 2025: What’s Off the Plate at Fashion’s Biggest Night

The highly awaited Met Gala 2025 is set to dazzle fans and fashion aficionados on May 5 at 6 PM (ET) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. For Indian audiences, the event will go live at 3:30 AM IST on May 6. This year’s gala marks the first-ever appearances of Bollywood luminaries like Shah Rukh Khan, Kiara Advani, and Diljit Dosanjh, who are all set to make their debut on the grand staircase.

Renowned for its splendor, the Met Gala is meticulously orchestrated each year by Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue. Known for her punctilious attention to detail, Wintour ensures every element—from guest lists to table settings—is immaculately handled. One essential part of her checklist? The dinner menu, which, while still under wraps, comes with a strict list of prohibited ingredients.

Though Chef Onwuachi is designing this year’s culinary experience, some foods are proscribed from the Met Gala Kitchen. As confirmed by insiders, five ingredients are categorically banned:

1. Garlic

2. Onion

3. Chives

4. Parsley

5. Bruschetta

Why these exceptions? According to Josh Jackson, a seasoned chef and catering expert,

“She doesn't want the food to affect the breath of the celebrity guests... She doesn't want to see chives in the guests' teeth. It's understandable.”

Jackson further elaborated that although rare, some individuals may be hypersensitive or even allergic to the allium family (plants like garlic and onions). While that might be a stretch, Wintour’s primary goal is to prevent any gastronomic mishaps on a night ruled by haute couture and close-up cameras.

The omission of parsley is equally intentional—no one wants to find a green fleck between their teeth in red carpet photos. As for bruschetta, the crumbly dish could easily jeopardize a designer outfit, making it too perilous for the polished dining atmosphere.

This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” brings an added layer of cultural reverence and stylistic nuance to the evening. Chef Onwuachi, expressing his enthusiasm, shared: “I am thrilled and honoured to be creating the dining experience for this year's Met Gala... Collaborating on the theme brings a whole new level of inspiration for me and my team.”

From wardrobe choices to plated elegance, every detail at the Met Gala is curated with care and a touch of rarefied sophistication. And while many marvel at the dazzling ensembles, it’s the unseen decisions, like what not to serve, that help keep this iconic night impeccably poised.