Most of us don’t take too much time to consider the aesthetic appeal of what we eat. Taste, nutrition and convenience are generally the elements we take into account when choosing what to put in our mouths, but the artistic allure of our meal may not often be a deciding factor. Every once in a while, however, we are treated to one of those special events — a wedding, graduation or some other celebration — where we encounter food so artfully crafted it’s difficult to destroy by consumption. Some La Jolla caterers take the challenge to marry visual and culinary art an extra step, creating tiny masterpieces you can fit on a fork. Giuseppe Ciuffa, owner of Giuseppe Fine Catering (and the Museum Café at the Museum of Contemporary Art, La Jolla) approaches every catering job with a unique angle. Customization is at the center of his business model, and no two events are alike. “Everything I do is based on the client’s vision,” he said. “I put a lot of thinking and research into every event, and I make sure I understand that vision. My motto is to exceed my client’s expectations.” Ciuffa said catering allows him to combine his love for cooking with his artistic creativity. He regularly does about two weeks of research before he begins creating menus and adding artistic elements. As extravagant as some of his events sometimes are, he said he has never failed to meet his creative vision. “I know what can be done, and I always find a way to do it,” he said. Giuseppe Fine Catering is just one option for catering services in La Jolla. Others are The French Gourmet, which has a top-notch pastry chef for creating artsy desserts, and Girard Gourmet, which sells “designer” cookies and prepares food made from the owners’ personal farm in Julian. All fulfill different niches, but all take food to new heights by adding that extra element: something interesting to look at before you scarf it down.