How can I improve my food presentation and plating skills?

Question

A cookbook?? I wasnt looking for such an obvious answer

Answer 1

You're right, and answer of "cookbook" would be too obvious.

However, they should not be overlooked.
Martha Stewart (yes, the one-time jailbird) has some excellent books available which deal with presentation.
Check you local library first as these, or books from other authors related to this might be available. You'll want to peruse as many sources as possible.
Ask friends if they have food presentation books -- might be a wedding gift never used.
Failing the above, Amazon.com, Overstock.com, and Buy.com are excellent sources.
In fact, just a few trips to a local bookstore to peruse these might serve your purpose. If something really tickles your fancy, you can save a few bucks by buying it from one of the on-line sellers noted above.

Good luck --

Answer 2

I think the best answer to your question is simply: don't be shy. Try different things, like spooning sauce randomly around on a plate before setting the meat on it, or fiddling around with lemon peels and veggies for garnishes. It's not necessary to go over the top, but if you feel your skills are lacking, my guess is you're staring at plates and not letting yourself try things. Chances are that if you do ten plates that are silly and overdone, your eleventh plate will be better.

Answer 3

Practice, practice, practice. Be sure you're using the right dishes (cream soups in a rimmed soup bowl - not) for the right foods. Limit the number of garnishes, let the food show itself. Strain your sauces. Use white plates. Desserts look especially lovely in individual ramekins. Pay attention to color and texture. Grilled steaks should have nice crispy marks from the grill, for instance and look nice with just an artful dollop of herbed butter. Steamed fish can look blah, put it next to a colorful vegetable. OK done rambling...good luck!

Answer 4

Pretty much a combination of Lynn and Josh. Look at what other people use and their techniques and practice some of your own. Garnishing and plating artistry is almost habitual to todays chefs cause they've done it so much.

Try to find some of your own signature styles. And try with diffrent platers

Answer 5

Just cook it properly and make it look nice, don't overdo it.

Answer 6

look at magazines advertizements are great finde out what the top people are doing

Answer 7

get a cook book that tells you what to do