Creative Presentation: 3 Tips for Plating a Meal

Today, being Easter, is a time when many of us are having brunch, whether at home or out at a restaurant. If you’re entertaining at home, you may be thinking about how to make the experience memorable. Since it’s been proven again and again that we experience food with our eyes, as well as our mouths and noses, I think a great presentation or plating is a good way to go.

Above, you’re looking at a plating done by my mother for an impromptu family brunch (I promise this photo is not staged; she really plates things this way). At my parents’ house, we believe in setting the table, having a great bread basket with some butter and jam, and presenting the food in an interesting way. By putting the ball of potato salad (made round with an ice cream scoop) on a lettuce leaf, my mother has given some nice color contrast. Some cold cuts, simply folded, and a little grouping of strawberries (with a mint sprig) creates the perfect little vignette. Mom keeps it simple, but makes sure that each color pops on the white dish. (White dishes are a staple of her kitchen.)

If you’re planning on doing a little plating yourself, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Keep it clean. Don’t overcrowd your plate; notice that the bread is separate and the servings are not huge. You can have separate serving dishes that hold the extra food.
• Get creative with garnish. If you have herbs or mixed greens, they can be a great way to present foods. Notice that in restaurants they often serve things on a bed of baby spinach or mesclun for contrasting color.
• Make it an occasion. This last tip is less about the plate itself and more about the entire table setting. Even with paper napkins and straws for the kids, my mom creates a sense of occasion by putting out silverware and some nice glasses, along with candles on the table.

I hope these tips are helpful for you — bon appetit!

Update: Because of the website reformat, I’ve lost some of the photos on the site including the ones that used to be above.