Award season usually delivers polished speeches and red carpet fashion, but sometimes the most entertaining moments happen far from the stage.
At the recent 2026 BAFTA Awards, a handful of Hollywood stars found themselves sampling classic British snacks in front of the world. There was laughter and more than a few eager grabs for brightly colored packets and fun new flavors as the excitement shifted from the stage to what was waiting inside each bag.
What are the BAFTA Film Awards?
The BAFTA Film Awards are annual honors presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Often described as the British equivalent of the Oscars, the ceremony recognizes excellence in film across various categories.
The awards take place in London and draw major stars from both British and international cinema. The BAFTAs are often seen as a key indicator of which films and performances may gain momentum later in the awards season. This year, the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards were hosted by Alan Cumming and held at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
British snacks
When in London, you have to try the local and popular snacks. Alan Cummings decided to do a little crowd work at the BAFTA Awards, stating that people in the crowd were starting to "get a bit peckish," so he knew it was the perfect time to hand out some very British snacks.
First on his snack stop was Emma Stone, whom he offered Hula Hoops, described as a "glutenous ring with salt on it."
Hula Hoops are a classic British crisp snack shaped like small rings. They’re known for their airy crunch and bold seasoning. The ring shape is part of the fun, with people remembering sliding them onto their fingers before eating them.
Stormzy was next on the snack radar, and he told Alan Cummings that his favorite snack was "the Skips."
Skips are an airy British crisp made from tapioca and flavored like prawn cocktail. Unlike traditional potato chips, they have an almost melt-in-your-mouth texture that dissolves quickly as you eat them.
Moving on to Timothée Chalamet and Kylee Jenner in the crowd, he gave Timothée a "package of scampi fries." He then asked Kylee if she's ever "had her gums around a giant Jammie Dodger."
Scampi Fries are a classic British pub snack known for their bold seafood flavor. Despite the name, they are not actual fries. They’re small puffed corn snacks shaped a bit like thick chips. The smell is noticeable right away, and that’s part of the appeal.
Jammie Dodgers are a British biscuit made of two shortbread cookies sandwiched together with a layer of raspberry jam. The top biscuit usually has a heart-shaped cutout so you can see the bright red filling. The texture is crumbly and slightly buttery, while the jam adds a sweet contrast.
Up next was Leonardo DiCaprio. He was asked, "How do you like the idea of an Oaty Hobknob Flapjack?" To which Leo replied, "Sounds fantastic."
An Oaty Hobnob Flapjack is a soft-baked oat bar inspired by the flavor of classic Hobnobs. While traditional Hobnobs are crunchy oat biscuits, the flapjack version is chewy and dense, more like a bar than a cookie. The texture is rich and slightly sticky, with a hearty oat flavor. Some are topped with chocolate as well.
Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale, described by Alan Cummings as the most "gorgeous couple in Hollywood," were handed Twiglets.
Twiglets are a distinctive British snack made from wholewheat, shaped into thin sticks with a crunchy bite. They’re baked rather than fried, which gives them a firm texture and a slightly toasted taste.
What really sets them apart is the flavor. Twiglets are seasoned with yeast extract, giving them a savory profile that many compare to Marmite.
The takeaway
Award shows are built on prestige and carefully planned moments, but sometimes the most memorable scenes are the simplest ones. Watching major film stars pause the glamour to taste Hula Hoops and Scampi Fries offered something refreshingly human.
The segment also worked as a light cultural exchange. British snacks that are everyday staples in the UK became novelty items in the hands of Hollywood actors. What is ordinary in one country can feel completely new in another, and that contrast made the moment fun to watch.
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