Events are great for bringing people together, raising money, and justifying three different kinds of dessert. But when the guests go home and the buffet is still half full, all that extra food can quietly turn into a big waste problem. In the U.S., nearly 40% of the food supply is wasted each year, much of it ending up in landfills and contributing to methane emissions and climate change. At the same time, about 47 million people in the U.S. live in food-insecure households, including nearly 14 million children.

When guests talk about the food at an event, they’re often not reminiscing about those truffle shavings or filet mignon medallions. More likely, they’re buzzing about how it was served. A creative presentation can turn the humblest snack into a showstopper. The great news? You don’t need a Michelin chef or an emergency catering fund. With a little imagination, you’ll prove that it really is all about presentation.