So, while I was doing our latest food shoot at the Steakhouse, I was thinking about my plates that I wanted to shoot. And truth be told, I changed one of them 3 times! Not because, as my wife would say, I am “Picky”…but because the details matter to me and food plating is an art form. In fact, it has been an artform that has been around for centuries, and it is becoming increasingly popular in the world of culinary art.
Food plating involves placing food on a plate in a visually appealing way, and at its most basic level… It is used to enhance the eating experience. Food presentation is an important part of any meal, it can make a dish look more appetizing and inviting. By using food styling techniques such as color, contrast, texture variation, and height differences, chefs can create plates that will tantalize the taste buds. With food plating becoming more popular than ever before, chefs are now able to express their creativity through this unique art form.
Essential Tips for Creating Eye-catching Food Plating Presentations From The Pro, Steve Coppolillo.
Fortunately, I had some mentors that were able to cram the philosophy behind plating into my brain. It can really make the difference between a dish that looks just okay on the plate and one that looks amazing. To help you create eye-catching food plating presentations, here are three essential tips to get you started.
- Plan, plan, and then replan…the ‘measure twice, cut once’ drill will make sure you have a solid shoot with the right outcome. Plan out your shoot with the end goal in mind and work backwards to create that vision on the plate and in your shot. Also, grab inspiration from your fellow Chef’s but never, ever rip off someone else’s work or just don’t rip off my work and we are okay.
- Selecting the right plate might sound elementary, but choosing the right plate for the right dish is the foundation of creative plating ideas and will help you create stunning food photos. Overtime, you’ll learn how to use different plate presentation techniques to make your dishes look even better than they taste!
- To shoot the right shots, you have got to have style! Food styling is another art form that takes years of tips, tricks, and surprisingly, a trip to one of my favorite places- Home Depot! Food stylist have a ton of aces up their sleeves when it comes to taking great shots and the first time I saw our Influx Photographer, Andy (BTW best photographer in the city), spray hairspray on my dishes and pour glue into one of my soup bowls and pull out plastic ice cubes…I did not know if he should be committed or commended!
This is obviously not the type of styling you will be doing, but what you have to understand is that food starts dying (cooling off) as soon as it hits a plate. Your dish will never look better than the first few seconds it’s on the plate. The food needs to be shot quickly or you have to offset the cooling off or dying stage of the food with tricks of the food styling trade.
In conclusion and in my humble opinion, food plating is an art form that can help you elevate any dish and cooking experience. With the right techniques, you can create beautiful and professional looking dishes that will impress your guests and make your meals more memorable. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned old salt like myself, food plating can help you take your cooking to the next level. From simple garnishes to complex designs, there are many creative ways to plate food that will make it look as delicious as it tastes. With practice and patience, you can create stunning dishes that will have everyone asking for seconds. Or, just do what I do these days, call in the pros at Influx– sit back and call the shots during the shoots!
