The Importance Of Plating – Food Decorations And Fruit Carvings
One of the most overlooked aspects of running a successful restaurant is proper plating. In other words, there is not enough attention being paid to food decorations and fruit carvings. This is a mistake numerous restaurants make, especially if setting the business up and running involved a considerable investment!
Human psychology clearly shows that the taste of food is directly linked to its aspect. I’m sorry, my dears, but it seems we are superficial creatures after all! Indeed, the better a dish looks, the more delicious we perceive it.
In order to make a dish look attractive and enjoyable, restaurants must first stimulate the eyes through color. Then, the nose, through smell. Only after the eyes and the nose are seduced via successful plating (food decorations), can we pay attention to taste. Ironically, much of the way food tastes comes from its aspect and smell. This is why a lot more attention should be paid to the way dishes look.
Restaurants such as Sweet Carolina Kitchen & Bar in London understand that the success of a dish is linked to the way it is presented. This is one of the reasons why successful restaurants always serve impeccable dishes, in terms of aspect, flavor, and texture. Master chefs know this very well, which is why they insist on proper plating. Moreover, food decorations, such as fruit carvings, for example, can elevate a rather bleak dish in no time! But what are the components of good food presentation? In order to shed more light on this matter, we’ve come up with the following tips!
Food Decorations Tips
1. Imaginative Food Decorations
You can literally add an artistic vibe to your dish by drawing next to or around the food a geometric shape or pattern. Most restaurants use sauce. Think thin, elegant lines! However, you don’t have to limit yourself to lines made out of the sauce. There are many inventive ways you can go about it. For example, you can create little clusters of wheat sprouts, spread along the shape of a stake. The only limit is your imagination.
2. Variety & Contrast
Perhaps the most important rule about food presentation is balance. In order to ensure proper plating, you must balance two factors: variety and contrast. It’s a good idea to have few textures on the plate, but doing that for the sake of having textures is the wrong way to go. Instead, pay attention to how the textures of the foods combine. Matching portion size with plate size is also an important thing to keep in mind.
3. Garnish: To Add Or Not?
Most dishes look empty without garnish. Beef tenderloin, for example, would look bizarre on a plate without carrot gratin, as it completes the look and adds a pop of color. Putting them side by side though is not enough. You must also think about how the textures of the food combine. If they work together, serve them. If not, opt for something else.
4. Fruit Carvings
While destined almost exclusively for dessert, fruit carvings are extremely popular and effective. They really do elevate any dish! Fruit carving is very common in Europe and Asian countries, which is where it also originated. From watermelons, apples, pineapples, and cantaloupes, the only limit is the artistry of the chef!
All in all, food decorations are essential for any restaurant that wants to offer its clients a 5-star experience. Not only do these speak highly of the level of professionalism of the chefs, but they also ensure the success of the restaurant. After all, before we taste the food, we must first be conquered visually.
