Foods are delicious and presentation adds a unique touch to the art of cooking. There are many plating styles that you can use for your food, but sometimes it’s tricky. It’s time to step up your game and learn how to make the perfect plating! Here are 5 tips for plating food like a chef. These are sure to impress your guests, whether they are coming over for dinner, or if you are serving them at a restaurant. The following five easy steps will take you from amateur to professional within minutes. Give these ideas a try next time you are cooking something special and see what comes out of it!
- Arrange elements in one unified direction
People are used to seeing separate elements of a dish placed in front of them, such as each element separated on the left and right sides of the plate. Instead, try arranging your food in one unified direction. This can be achieved by putting all ingredients that are meant for eating with the same utensil (such as pasta and sauce) together around the perimeter of the plate so that they are easy to access. Then fill in the center with other ingredients or garnishments. Plating it this way will be visually striking and unexpected. This can also be used to create a theme on the plate such as all food placed in diagonal lines. Placing all your elements in a certain direction can also help highlight the main element of the dish. This can also emphasize the colors in your dish, making it more appealing for your guests.
- Use a variety of heights and textures
Make an effort to vary the height and texture of your elements.. This will draw attention and highlight different areas of the plate. It will also create depth and dimension which can lead to a more stunning visual effect for your guests. At first, this may seem difficult, but it is actually fairly simple if you use everyday objects around your house that are of varying height and texture. For example, the bottom of a spoon can be used to elevate an element on top of some sauce or the edge of a wine glass can be used to cut into a vegetable to create height.
- Angle your food 45 degrees
Another plating tip is to angle the food you are putting on the plate at 45-degree angles. This simple technique will make your dish seem more elegant and promote an aesthetic appeal for the guests who are viewing it. To do this, try cutting your ingredients at a 45-degree angle to emulate this look. This method is also versatile and may be used on a variety of dishes, not just vegetables. Also, this restaurant style approach is particularly popular with meat meals, such though as steak and chicken.
- Garnish appropriately
Adding a garnish to your dish is a great finishing touch that can help dress up a plate. When adding a garnish, you want it to be in the same style as the dish you are plating. For a rustic dish, add a freshly picked herb from your garden or some wild greens foraged from outside. Another style of garnish is adding a dusting of spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg. The right touch can also be added with the drizzling of sauces that are complementary to the dish. No matter what you choose, remember that less is more when it comes to garnishing. You don’t want your guests to focus on the toppings, but the food you have created for them.
- Wipe down the plate for a cleaner look
When you have finished plating, wipe down the plate to remove fingerprints or smudges if any. Yes, this may seem like a little thing, but it shows your guests that you take pride in your work. It’s also important to make sure your hands are clean before you start plating, as this will result in dirty-looking dishes. A clean plate makes the food look more appealing and appetizing and also creates a cleaner overall appearance. If you are working on an intense dish, it is best to plate each element first and then combine them all at the end to keep your plate clean.
These are sure to impress your guests, whether they are coming over for dinner, or if you are serving them at a restaurant. The following five easy steps will take you from amateur to professional within minutes. Give these ideas a try next time you are cooking something special and see what comes out of it. Be sure to arrange elements in one unified direction. Placing all your elements in a certain direction can also help highlight the main element of the dish. It would be appropriate to use contrasting colors that still complement each other. Take time when plating to play with different textures on one plate. It’s necessary to make sure that you allow for appropriate space between each element on the plate when they are in serving sizes. Think carefully about your garnish and make sure it has a purpose. It will also bring a pop of color to your dish. When you have finished plating, wipe down the plate to remove any fingerprints and smudges. These are sure to impress your guests, whether they are coming over for dinner, or if you are serving them at a restaurant.
