How to Master the Art of Plating

Choose your mission.

First, you must decide what sort of visual impact you want your plate to make. Whether you want to shock or soothe, your desired objective will shape the composition of your plate.

Build your plate around a “center,” or featured component. This often takes the form of a protein.

Pick a landing pad.

A center is seldom placed directly on a plate, so your featured item needs a place to rest or a “landing pad”. Pureed vegetables can fill this role nicely, but you might also consider using a bed of rice or greens. If your featured item is pasta, this guideline will not apply.

Play up the contrast.

Intensify the visual impact of your plate by utilizing striking color combinations. For example, if your center component is white, such as a piece of cod, set this element on a puree of a brightly-colored vegetable such as sweet potato. If you want to pair your protein with a starch or vegetable that is naturally the same hue, consider adding a bit of another vegetable to your puree to give it some color. You might, for instance, blend fennel into a potato puree to get a spring green backdrop that will make your white centerpiece pop.

Add some flair.

Garnishes do two things: add depth and complexity to the flavor of your dish and enhance your plate’s visual impact with different shapes, textures, and ingredients. Garnishes are the little details that can make a plate really stand out but remember, if all you notice are the adornments, your dish might be too cluttered.

Fresh greens and herbs make a great garnish, but remember to dress them lightly. All you need is a touch

of olive oil, a squeeze of citrus, and a sprinkle of salt to make fresh, raw herbs an enhancing addition.

Get your hands dirty.

Don’t be afraid to use your own hands to dress your plate. Wash your hands, keep them clean, and then touch the food unapologetically! Of course, every component requires its own special handling and finesse, which your fingers might not always be able to accomplish. Don’t tie yourself down to using just one tool for an entire plate. Find the right tool for your objective. For example, to twist spaghetti into a neatly wound nest, select a long-pronged fork. To create a dramatic streak of color across your plate, grab a paint brush and sweep away. Be creative!

Embrace the concept of “mise en place”, which means “for the course.” Have all ingredients ready and accessible. Think about how much easier and more efficient the plating process will be if all the components are at your disposal, instead of at the stove, on the counter, in the fridge, etc.

Like any other art form, plating is a creative, fluid, and organic process, and the guidelines above are not hard and fast rules but a springboard to creativity in the kitchen. Don’t be afraid to branch out and experiment with new or different techniques. After all, this is the time to play with your food!

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