How to plate dishes worthy of a fine dining restaurant — the complete guide

Food is becoming an art form more than ever before and presentation is almost as important as taste: we eat with our eyes first, don’t we? This complete guide will provide you with everything you need to know to plate dishes worthy of a fine dining restaurant. You will find tips on how to bring the right elements together, choose the right plates and find your tone of voice and style of plating.

The elements on your plate: the 10 commandments of plating

I am a firm believer of the effectiveness of lists and rules. This list of basic dos and don’ts is my rulebook, and I recommend following it to take your plating skills to the next level.

1. Thou shalt never overcrowd the plate

White space (the space surrounding your various elements) is crucial to make your elements stand out. You can either use larger plates or smaller portions.

2. Thou shalt never add anything to the plate that should not be eaten