Food Presentation Ideas

Have you ever been presented with a plate of food at a restaurant which made you go "wow" even without your tasting the dish. This is because the plating and presentation of the dish was harmonious and well balanced which instantly made the dish more appealing and exciting. A well presented plate of food enhances the dining experience. Professional chefs and fine dining restaurants will have you believe that creating such beautiful plates of food requires years of skill. But with a bit of imagination you too can present great looking dishes. Creative food presentation ideas are those in which there is a balance of color, texture and shapes. The plate on which the dish is presented should be proportional to the size of the dish. To make your dish aesthetically appealing there should be a combination of two or three colors on the plate. Pan roasted Sea Bass with roasted heirloom tomatoes and arugula salad looks much more appetizing than poached chicken with mashed potatoes. When you are serving meat and poultry, try accompanying it with steamed or sauted vegetables to add a dash of color. Garnishes in the form of chopped parsley, coriander and chives can also be used to introduce color to the dish.

Creative Ideas for Plating and Presenting Food

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If you are planning a cocktail party, then choosing the right mix of drinks and food is very important for the party to be successful. Appetizers or amuse bouche are an integral part of a menu. Appetizers which are small enough to be eaten in a single bite can be served in beautiful decorative spoons. Alternatively, you can also serve them on a bed of lettuce or cabbage leaves.




Cocktails and drinks that are garnished looks much more refreshing and enticing. For garnishing your drinks, you can use a strand of orange peel or lemon peel on the rim of the glass. Add a slice of fruit like a starfruit or kiwi in cocktail glasses to add more color and interest.




If you are serving a fruit salad you can use a pineapple to serve the salad instead of a regular glass or ceramic bowl. For this you need a medium-sized or large pineapple. Discard any brown or discolored leaves from the pineapple and trim the top. Cut the pineapple into two equal parts and cut a thin strip of the pineapple to make the base. Remove the core of the pineapple by using a serrated knife and scoop out the flesh from each half. You can use this pineapple bowl to hold a fruit salad or salsa.




Another great food presentation idea is to garnish main courses with green onion curls and tomato rose. For making green onion curls you need crunchy fresh spring onions and some ice cubes. Trim the spring onions and cut the stems into 4 inch length. With the help of a kitchen scissors, cut each of the spring onion segments into 7 to 8 narrow strips reserving the end of the section. Fill a large bowl with ice cubes and add the spring onions. Refrigerate until the spring onions curl. For making the tomato rose, peel tomato with a sharp knife ensuring that the peel is about 1 inch wide and continuous. Place the peel on a flat surface like a wooden chopping board, and gently roll up the peel to resemble a rose. Add a sprig of mint to make the leaves. Another simple food presentation ideas is to add a sprig of dill leaves.




Serve the main course in pristine white china and drizzle sauces in geometric patterns. You can also use a pastry brush for brushing a thick sauce on to the plate. You can use jus gras or barbecue sauce for garnishing steak and chocolate sauce or creme anglaise for pastries and cakes.




You can also use crystalline edible flowers to decorate cakes and pastries and it is among the best food garnishing ideas. To make crystalline flowers, take any flowers of your choice and brush them with a water and egg emulsion. Dip the flowers immediately in a bowl of granulated sugar, making sure that it is evenly coated. Arrange the flowers in a wax paper and let it dry.




Garnish appetizers with sliced cucumbers, Kalamata olives or capers to add texture and flavor. You can also add sliced orange segments for garnishing your dish. Powdered sugar or icing sugar can also be sprinkled over brownies and cakes. Make sure that the garnishes that you are using complements the flavor of the dish.

Striking a harmony between color, texture, shapes and arrangements form the basis of a stylish food presentation. The food presentation ideas are becoming increasingly flamboyant and artistic. Avoid over-garnishing the dishes and be creative and innovative in presenting the food.