Edible Tablescapes: Festive Centerpieces and Place Settings from the Garden
A table setting created from fresh fruits and vegetables is a perfect way to welcome family and friends to savor a delicious meal together. Run a garland of fruit branches down the table’s center for a rustic vibe or put some vibrant chard in a jar to brighten up your kitchen on a wintry day. Go elegant and conjure up images of a Flemish still-life painting by creating a luscious masterpiece of cascading grapes and other colorful seasonal fruits.
Your edible table decoration can be a feast both for the eyes and for the taste buds—to be eaten after the meal, of course! Unlike traditional flower arrangements, you can nibble on some of the fruit or cook the veggies the next day. You can even send some home with your guests as a way to commemorate the occasion.
The great part about edible tablescapes and centerpieces is they are easy to assemble. Arrangements can be as simple as putting a bunch of fresh herbs in Mason jars, or using fruit tree branches, edible flowers and fruits in a centerpiece or as memorable place setting. Mix a few combinations and you’ll have a photo-worthy bouquet. And the possibilities are as endless as what is in your yard, farmers markets, grocery stores—and imagination.
What a better place to show off some inspirational edible tablescaping ideas than setting them in the rooms of the historic Filoli estate and gardens in Woodside, where food was prepared, grown and shared. In honor of Filoli’s centennial celebration, these table settings take inspiration from the centennial themes of the Land, House and Garden. Seasonal bounty from Filoli’s orchards and kitchen gardens were used in these edible tablescapes, along with fruits and vegetables sourced from local farmers markets and neighborhood yards.
Get inspired!
Mason Jar Charmers
Set in Filoli’s vintage prep kitchen, this simple yet colorful rainbow chard bouquet along with its sidekick of rosy radishes topped by purple kale and lavender are cut from the estate’s Victory Garden and radiate farmers-market charm. Using glass Mason jars allows the color and beauty of the herbs and vegetables to be seen from top to bottom. A super fresh and great budget alternative to traditional fresh-flower bouquets, and a welcome complement to any farm-to-table-inspired meal.
Rustic Harvest Runner
Filoli’s Garden Room with its soaring windows and doors sheds a soft afternoon light on this grand garland of chestnut, apple and pear branches harvested from the estate’s orchards and gardens. Fresh artichokes and cut fruits add to the rustic feel. This lush centerpiece brings together the best this season has to offer and would be equally at home on a sideboard, foyer table or mantle.
Noble Edible Grandeur
Pops of deep purples, rich reds and hints of dark green make for a vibrant fall palette in this edible centerpiece. Grape leaves topped with multi-colored grapes from Filoli's orchards, red pears, prunes, figs and blackberries combine to create a truly elegant centerpiece worthy of a Vermeer painting.
