An Unofficial Masquerade Green Room Food Guide

For those that don't know the term from theater, a green room is where you wait before your performance. For masquerades held at science fiction and fantasy conventions, it is where you wait and get processed to compete or exhibit your costume presentation.

People who participate in masquerades have debates about the food that should be in the masquerade green room.

Please keep in mind that green room food is meant to be snacks and not someone's main meal. If someone is making a meal out of the snacks, get some money from them, and send someone out to get real food for them. If all else fails, get food from the con suite for these individuals if possible.

A rule that that has been suggested by a costumer that should be applied to everyone who enters the green room is:

Absolutely no messy or greasy foods allowed inside (this includes pizza).

This costumer felt that if a person is finishing up a messy food, let them finish it up outside and then come in a few minutes late if need be. You don't want someone's costume to be destroyed because of something that someone else is eating. Some people put considerable hours/days/months/years into their costume, and it is not fair to them to have someone else destroy their costume because of grease or a spill.

The following information was distilled from an online discussion, and includes people's suggestions for what should be in a green room. It has absolutely no official standing or implications of anything official. People are welcome to modify or use these suggestions as they see fit.

Absolute Minimum

If you have no budget and can provide nothing else, please be sure that you have these items for your contestants. These items will make life for the contestants and you a lot easier and pleasant.

Water service.
Flexible straws.
These come in handy for people with masks or lots of makeup on their faces.

Good To Have

These are foods that people consider valuable to have in a green room, and some people consider these to be a minimal requirement. If you think finger foods, you'll be on the right track.

Cookies - non-messy like vanilla wafers. No chocolate cookies - leaves too much of a mess.
Cheeses - Cube at home. You don't want to have to cut the cheese in the green room, you'll be too busy. Jack and cheddar are the best ones to get. Some hotel or convention site contracts will require you to order a cheese platter from them. Costumer experiences suggest not getting cheeses like brie or other soft cheeses.
Veggies, no dip - carrots and celery should be no longer than three inches. Baby carrots are an ideal size.
Hard candies to suck on.
While not a food, you'll need paper towels and a trash can.

Desirable Items

These foods are ones that people appreciate being in the green room. If you have the budget available, they are nice to have.

Soda/Diet Soda in bottles. Cans get left behind and knocked over, creating more mess to clean up. Cola and clear for those that don't like cola.
Electrolyte Replacements - Gatorade, Powerade, or equivalents. Some people can get hot in their costumes, and this might be better to have on hand than just water. It could help keep people from keeling over.
Pretzels - small twists rather than sticks.
Crackers - small oyster are convenient for people with masks/makeup on.
Nuts
Diabetic candies - no sugar added.

Some people think that candy is an absolute necessity. Others discourage it.

Page maintained by Carole Parker