5 Food Presentation Tips that Go a Long Way

Whether you’re having a friend over for a light lunch, or the whole family round for a big dinner, how you present your food can make a big difference. Here are some great food presentation tips that go a long way. 

Understandably, you will want to pull out all the stops to impress your diners, so knowing the right tips and techniques can turn any food you serve into something eye-catching and appealing. Here are five food presentation tips that go a long way.

Organization

Before you begin, it’s important that you’re organized and well prepared to create an exciting looking dish. To impress your guests, having a plan in your head on how you want your end product to look will make a big difference. The last thing you want to do is waste any food, so before you host your dinner party, you may want to do a practice run first. It can be stressful getting it right, so doing a trial run first is your best bet.

Choosing Your Plate

The type of plate you pick can be the make or break when it comes to impressing your guests. While no one is saying you must purchase fancy, expensive plates, you do want to get your dinner off to a good start, so thinking about the colour, size, and the shape of the plate is a must. Instead of sticking to a white plate, why not use a wooden tray to serve your food? Cheese and meats go well on wooden trays and are sure to catch the eye of your guests.

Portion Control

Whether you’re having a few friends over, or the whole family are coming for a bite to eat, it’s only normal that you will want to go all out to ensure each member is satisfied and well fed. However, the amount you serve can end up doing you more harm than good. Before you serve your food, always judge your portion sizes. If you’re using a large plate, that doesn’t mean you have to fill it to the brim. When it comes to presentation, it’s all about balance in the long run.

Go the Extra Mile

If you are cooking for family or friends, it’s important that you think beyond the plate when regarding presentation. Not only should you create a dish that’s appealing and enticing to guests, but you should also focus on how the room looks, as well as the types of glasses and cutlery you use. Making sure everything matches can make a world of difference. If you’re having a romantic dinner, why not add a couple of candles to really set the scene? Your guests will be judging you on more than just how the food looks, so going the extra mile will score you some extra brownie points.

Garnishing

Adding a few herb leaves, a sprig of mint, a bit of dressing, or a slice of lime or lemon can be a great way to enhance how the dish looks. If your food is primarily one colour, adding some garnishing can add a different colour dimension, making your food look more appetizing and appealing to your diners. Just like with portion control, it’s important not to go overboard with the garnish, instead, add small but subtle bits that can transform a dull looking meal into something tasty and mouthwatering.

Whether you’ve just stepped foot in the kitchen, or you’re an avid cook, how you present your food can make a huge difference. For your guests to be satisfied and leave with smiling faces and filled tummies, going above and beyond and paying attention to the detail of your dishes will really show. Whether it’s picking the right serving tray, understanding portion control, or adding some garnishing to complement a dish, there are so many food presentation tips that you can use to impress your guests.