CHARMING FOOD COVERS FOR SUMMER ENTERTAINING
A guide to the most charming food domes on the market. Our favorite food covers to keep food safe and protected from unwanted bugs in the summer. They’re essential for summer entertaining!
Summer is all about entertaining, especially outdoor entertaining. Unfortunately, the bugs also enjoy the summer heat. We live in a ranch area and have a lot of flies in the summer. Literally the worst! They go away when the sun goes down, but they’re a nuisance during the day.
Of course, we can keep the food inside the house, but the doors are always open, allowing the flies to come in. It’s important to make sure the bugs are not infesting the food.
We want to be practical and cover our prepared food, but also keep the party charming. When we visited Stockholm’s Rosendals Trädgård, I fell in love with their mesh food covers in their outdoor cafe. I actually found a very similar mesh food dome sold at Target!
MORE WAYS TO KEEP BUGS AWAY FROM AN OUTDOOR PARTY
Battery Operated Fan – This is one of the best tricks and works well. Keep a small fan near the food. The cool air keeps the bugs away and creates a nice breeze for hot summer days.
Bug Lanterns – Keep these further away from the party and food, but you can hang them in a tree way off to the side. They attract and kill flies.
Citronella Candles – Always a nice ambiance and helps keep bugs away. Here’s a fun tutorial for How to make Recycled Tin Citronella Candles.
Bonfire – This helps with flies as they do not like smoke. If you toss some herbs in that works even better to help with mosquitos. They hate the smell of herbs!
What’s not so great is bugs, animals, and outdoor debris getting into your feast.
Thankfully, there’s a simple solution to keeping pests at bay without having to constantly swat them away: food covers. The food covers highlighted here serve a functional purpose while also contributing to the overall aesthetic of your outdoor dining spread. From fancy glass cloches that turn anything you put underneath them into a stunning centerpiece to vintage-inspired mesh domes and lightweight food tents, food covers come in a variety of designs and at a range of price points. Here are our favorite options.
The Best Food Covers for 2022
- Crate and Barrel Food Tent
- Dot and Army Outdoor Net Food Cover
- Baird Covered Server
- Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Mesh & Wood Food Dome
- Williams Sonoma Olivewood Board with Cloche
- Terrain Mesh Food Cover
- Destination Summer Bamboo Food Tent
A collaboration between Food52 and Dot and Army, a home goods store based in Brunswick, Georgia, these lightweight net food covers are perfect for picnics. They measure 25 x 26 inches and fold up flat like a cloth napkin, which means that they’re easy to pack. What’s more, the corners are weighted so they won’t fly away on a breezy day. And since they come in a variety of colors and patterns, you’re sure to find one to match your aesthetic.
