When we eat, we first start by eating with our eyes. We inspect how each component on a plate looks. Does it appear fresh? Is it prepared correctly? Does it resemble the food plating images on the menu or at least what our mind’s eye tells us it is supposed to look like?
Even before a single morsel touches our lips, we take in the food laid in front of us with our senses. And our eyes are the first to do so. They say that first impressions matter and the same principle goes into the food we are served either at home or when we dine out.
And if you happen to be a chef, serving up fine cuisine or modest fare, you know well enough to make the food look just as good as it tastes. Therefore, a chef needs to master the key components of food presentation. When combined with practice and creativity, having these basic techniques under your belt can result in a culinary masterpiece.
The 5 Basic Fundamentals of Plating
Plating food isn’t just about randomly putting a meal on a plate and throwing on garnish. A well-presented plate can instantly elevate the simplest dish. If this is the case, what is plating exactly? Food plating is a technique of strategically and artistically arranging food to make it enticing to the person it is served.
Though the term plating refers to the finished food presentation, there are several elements you should consider to pull it off successfully. These are the 5 essential elements needed to produce food art properly.
1. Create a framework
Begin by drawing out or making sketches so that you can visualize the plate. Use objects, pictures, and even sculptures as inspiration. Execute your vision by putting together a “practice plate.”
2. Keep it simple
Select one ingredient to focus on and use space to simplify the presentation. Clutter distracts from the main elements of your dish and might make it confusing for the diners to figure out what to focus on. Use food garnish sparingly!
3. Balance the dish
Play with colors, shapes, and textures but make sure not to overwhelm your diners. Your presentation techniques should provide an aesthetically appealing meal without overpowering its flavor and function.
4. Get the right portion size
Ensure that there are the right amount of ingredients and that the plate complements the dish – not too big or small. Put together the right proportion of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables to create a nutritionally balanced meal. On the visual aspect, having even distribution results in stunning food presentation.
5. Highlight the key ingredient
Don’t forget to allow the main ingredient to stand out, but also pay equal attention to other elements on the plate, such as garnishes, sauces, and even the chinaware used.
Food Presentation Techniques: the Basics
Now that you’ve gone through some pivotal components needed in food plating. It’s time to understand a basic food placement method that every chef should know.
The image below shows a classical plating technique that uses the three food items of starch, vegetables, and main in a specific arrangement.
A simple guide to a classical plating is to think of the plate as the face of a clock.
Using the clock analogy, arrange individual food items in the following manner:
- Main: Place your main ingredient between the 3 to 9 o’clock position.
- Starch: One of the best food presentation techniques is remembering to place the starches between 9 to 11 o’clock.
- Vegetables: Lastly, use the 11 o’clock to 3 o’clock position as a guideline to position your veggies.
Many chefs and restaurant kitchens apply the classical plating approach. It is easy to remember and replicate, especially when order tickets are piling up. Another thing worth considering when plating food is the type of cuisine presented. Bear in mind that some cuisines look better on a flat plate while others shine brighter when opting for unique wares to accompany them.
Food Plating for Asian Dishes
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As previously mentioned, certain cuisines become more appealing and mouthwatering when it is plated in an unorthodox manner. For instance, Asian dishes with their unique appearance, style, and manner by which it is eaten will do better when plated differently than, for example, French cuisine. Take note of these food plating ideas that you can use for Asian food.
Communal
It is typically in Asian culture to share food. Although a little challenging to plate, it is still possible to make a communal set up a feast for the eyes and the belly. Opt for interesting containers and bowls instead of plain white china. Some great food vessels include wanna leaves, dim baskets, and steamboats.
Individual
Fusion dishes are pretty mainstream these days. Many of which tend to adopt a modern food plating style. This kind of food art showcases smaller serving sizes perfect for highlighting with sauces and food garnish.
One-Dish meals
A dish like nasi lemak is a complete meal. Typically, the starch is usually plated in the center, then topped with the protein, while the vegetables are placed around the sides. For plating food like one-dish meals, visual appeal can be achieved with a good balance of color and texture.
Food plating is a fun way to showcase a dish. When it is done perfectly, it leaves the diner wanting to dig right in after taking the necessary photos first. Although some chefs are gifted with creative plating skills, the rest need to study and practice food presentation techniques. If you need to learn how to plate, start by mastering the basics.
Keep these tips handy when planning and practicing your plating techniques, then showcase your talents when plating your unique creations.
