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Ideas for dinner party table plates decoration and styles
from: TricaAn integral part of a
dinner party, apart from the right menu, is setting up the table with the right
plates. Here is a guide to perfect plating Be it a lavish
summer lunch, a Sunday afternoon brunch or your baby’s first birthday party –
the food is going to be the focus of your guests. While nothing beats the joy
of a perfectly cooked dish, the plate you choose to serve it in also makes a
lot of difference.
Plates are vital
Plates are definitely an
integral part of the whole dining experience. If you consider food as your
artwork, plates are the border of the frame. They give a definition to the
food. “Very often plates set the mood for the entire table,” says Tricia. So,
if you choose something elegant and classy, your diner will get a hint of
what’s to come. Also, sometimes crockery has technical value, like helping
to maintain the temperature of the food.
White magic
Ever noticed how most
restaurants – be it glamorous or chic – are serving up on plates that are white
in colour? “White is a sophisticated and highly workable colour. All cuisine
looks good when served on white,” says Tricia. Be it an Asian starter or a
European entree, white makes the colours of the food stand out. No wonder most
international brands are also big on white crockery.
Showing off!
Apart from plates being
used to serve food, one can even invest in show plates that are removed from
the table when food is being served. “Show plates are used to round off a table
setting, ensuring a fully dressed table,” says Tricia. Most fine dining
restaurants, invest in gold plated or finely cut plates that are used to create
an impression. You too can keep your expensive cutlery on display before the
meal begins and gently change to plates you want to serve the food in.
What to pick?
Lunch
time: For lunch and
brunch go with classic colours such as white and ivory. It is important that
the plates are light and pretty. Paisley designs or floral prints work here.
Dinner: Here, bolder coloured plates do the
trick. If you still prefer whites, plates with a thick solid black, gold, deep
blue, silver border work well.
Sit-down
meal: Sit down meals
are mostly family affairs. Pick on fine crockery that can either be transparent
with intricate designs or cut work.
Kid's
birthday party: Primary
coloured plates work well here. Play on the party theme. You can go for
crockery printed with cartoon characters, florals or geometric shapes. Keep it
light.
Plating at home
Always break too many elements on the plate
with a centre piece. Like a salad surrounded by starters.
A new way of serving
sauces is either to drizzle it on top of the food or paint the plate with some
sauce and artistically arrange the starter or main course on it. For instance
tip a creamy sauce at the base of your plate and place the pasta on top.
When serving a
cuisine, use combinations of contrasting colours. For instance, a pale mushroom
tempura with a bright apricot and chilli sauce. Dramatic plating always adds to
the experience.
When you have too
many elements on the plate, like a platter of starters, arrange some in small
bowls and place it on the plate, instead of arranging all of them on the plate
itself.
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