A GUIDE TO FOOD PRESENTATION
TAKE THE TIME TO PRESENT YOUR MEAL An artfully presented meal can work wonders. Whether you’re holding a corporate or personal event, meal presentation should be eye-catching and entice all of the senses. It is important to not only take the time to plan and prepare a special meal but to also take care when transferring food to the plate. The reasonable amount of extra effort leads to a greater appreciation of the meal by your guests.
TABLEWARE The detail and beauty of a meal stands out more clearly when tableware is a basic color. Over-sized white dishes are the perfect choice because they provide contrast and make colors pop. The cutlery, glasses, and linens also contribute to the overall appearance of the dish upon the table, so these elements should also be carefully considered.
BALANCE Food and garnishes should bring variety and contrast to the table, and combinations should be attractive. For the plate, placement is key. If faced with lots of ingredients, think of a clock while plating. Starches should be placed at 10 o’clock, proteins at six o’clock and vegetables at two o’clock.
PORTIONS
Portion size is crucial. You don’t want to overload a plate but you should create compact, elegant servings. The smaller the portion, the easier it is to creatively arrange. Foods should also not be flattened onto the plate but rather plumped to appear more fresh and palatable.
DECORATION The plate and decorations should complement your culinary masterpiece. Think beautiful bowls and glasses in different shapes and colors. Serve bite-sized appetizers carefully arranged on platters.
TEMPERATURE Always check the temperature of food before serving it. Beautiful presentation loses its impact if the food is cold. It is important to remember that food may cool down in the time it takes to decorate the plate. Garnishing the plate before placing the hot food should mitigate this.
MIX SHAPES, COLORS, AND TEXTURES Food is naturally beautiful, with an array of shapes, colors and textures. Take advantage of the beauty by spicing up your plate with vibrant hues. Garnishes should be used to enhance the presentation and should match the ingredients and flavors of the dish without overpowering it. Add height to a dish by layering food to take the artistic presentation a step further. Most importantly, remember to keep the edges of plate clean using a damp sponge or paper towel.
DINING Simple and correctly placed table decorations are sure to please. The table should be set properly with knives, forks, napkins and glassware in the correct place. Overall, a comfortable and relaxed environment makes for the best dining experience.
Located in Laguna Canyon in Laguna Beach, California, [seven-degrees] is a distinctive special events venue. Its position on the hillside is perfect for cocktail receptions, weddings, corporate events, seminars, sales meetings, fundraisers and performances. Any event you can hold, we can accommodate. [sevendegrees] offers full-service planning, design and production, ensuring your event is a work of art. http://www.seven-degrees.com 1-949-376-1555 x106
Summary • The first thing we experience with food is the look, then the smell, and lastly, the taste. This is why it is important for any event, whether corporate or personal, to impress your guests with a perfectly crafted food presentation. Among many elements, you must consider balance, portions, decorations, colors and textures. This is the time to be artistic and creative, pulling out all the stops.