Food Presentation Techniques

The 'plating' of food refers to the arrangement of the food on the plate.

Because we eat with our eyes, a few tips can assist us in presenting a visually pleasing product:

• Plan your presentation. Draw a plan on paper and practice doing one plate.

• Keep it simple.

• Use only edible materials.

• Start by arranging food in the centre and work outward.

• If you are adding height, place that food at the back (also called the top of the plate - furthest from the guest).

• Incorporate colour. You may need to use garnishes if your food is monochromatic (one colour only).

• Serve cold foods on plates that have been chilled.

• Serve hot foods on plates that have been heated.

• Keep portion size in relation to the size of the plate. If a small plate is overfilled, it will look messy and unappetizing.

• Leave a border around the edge of the plate - like the margin on a printed page!

• Plate the food as near to the serving time as possible.

• Be creative! Have fun! Practice!