Christmas tip: the ultimate guide to plating
If you follow this step-by-step plan and these tips, even the biggest klutz in the kitchen can serve their guests a beautifully plated dish.
Choose the right plate
The first step is immediately one of the most important: choose the right plate. Try several plates for your dish and decide which one suits it best. Not too big and not too small, otherwise the focus shifts away from the food.
Warm the plates
Warm dish? Warm plate. This way, the food stays at temperature longer, which is more enjoyable. Put the plates in the oven for 10 minutes at 80 °C. Little effort, major upgrade.
Stacking
Okay, now we’re actually going to start with the food. Work from the center, preferably upward. Stack ingredients on top of one another instead of placing them next to one another. Trust me, it works.
Odd numbers
This one is important. Use odd numbers: three balls look better than four. Experiment with where you place the ingredients and decide what works best.
Space
Make sure it looks fresh and spacious, because that makes it look much more appetizing. Work with herbs and leaves of parsley, lettuce or basil, or grate ingredients over the whole dish.
Color
Make sure it looks fun and playful. Alternate colors and use different textures; that’s tastier for a change, too.
Less is more
Leave the edges empty; if the center is filled, that’s enough. It should be clear and not too busy. That way, you can immediately see what you’re actually putting in your mouth.
Finishing touches
Are there still splatters or smears on the edges? Simply wipe them away with a damp tea towel. Again: little effort, great effect.
Serving
Are you serving a dish with fish or meat? The ultimate tip for people with little hospitality experience: serve the meat toward the person. A bit of etiquette is important too. Oh yes, and preferably keep chicken and other poultry whole; it looks better than serving it in slices or pieces.
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