Whether you’re preparing a gourmet dinner for friends or serving up your latest creation at the market, it’s always a good idea to give your food a little bit of extra flair. After all, visual cues impact how your dishes taste!
To help you achieve this, we’ve put together the top 5 ways to decorate your food. With these simple ideas, you can turn your usual meals into works of art that your guests will love!
1. Decorate the dish itself
Whether you’re planning a dinner party or serving family meals, food decoration is an art that can add a lot of depth and beauty to your plate. It takes some creativity and practice, but the results are well worth it!
Visual cues play an important role in how we perceive the flavor of dishes, so it’s crucial to make sure you’re using them to your advantage. These simple food decorating tips will help you transform your ordinary dishes into works of art that your guests will love.
First, decide how much space you want on your plates. Ideally, you should have enough room to comfortably place all the main components of your dish without overlapping or crowding them.
Another important consideration is plate size, which should be equal to or smaller than the dish’s portion. Choosing the wrong size can make your food look messy and disorganized.
For example, a grilled steak on a small plate would appear tiny and undersized. Similarly, a large plate of a small dish like soup or salad would look unattractive and awkward.
To create a stunning effect, start by placing the entree on top of a side dish, then center your other ingredients and finish with a garnish or addition that complements but doesn’t crowd the plate. Try a lattice pattern of drizzles on a plate with an off-centered slice of cake, or sliced fanned strawberries around your dessert.
Then, consider the colors and textures you want to use to highlight each component of your dish. Mix contrasting shades and textures to give your plate variety, but shy away from too many contrasting colors or textures, as this can cause the arrangement to be too busy or disorganized.
2. Decorate the platter
Plating is a very important aspect of food preparation. It creates a first impression about the food and also indicates how well it has been cooked. It also enhances the experience of eating the food.
There are many different ways to decorate your plate. You can use sauces, patterns and other decorations that make your plate look artistic and beautiful.
The first step is to decide how you want your food to be arranged on the platter. You can sketch it out before you start cooking to ensure that you will have a symmetrical food arrangement.
A good plate layout draws the eye and makes it easy for people to navigate across it, without it looking lopsided. To avoid a crowded or skewed platter, start by placing the main dish in the center and working your way out, adding sides and garnishes as you go.
Garnishes add color, texture, dimension and identification to your plate, while also helping it stand out from the rest of the foods on the table. They are also a great way to bring out the flavor and complement the colors of your main dish.
Some of the most common garnishes include green vegetables such as kale, cabbage and broccoli florets; fruits like pomegranates and oranges; and dried fruits, such as nuts or raisins.
Fruits and vegetables can also be carved into interesting shapes, such as rosettes or rabbits. This can be done with a fruit peeler and is a great way to make your serving platter more visually appealing.
Edible glitters are a great way to add a little sparkle to your plates, and they can be used on any food. Try sprinkling them on cakes or baked goods to add a touch of glam.
3. Decorate the tablecloth
Tablecloths are an essential part of any event, whether it is a formal dinner or a simple gathering. They not only protect your table from stains and wear but also add an extra touch of elegance to the dining room.
However, they can be a pain to keep clean and maintain. Often, they get dirty or stained through regular use and may be damaged in the wash.
That’s why it’s a good idea to repurpose tablecloths, instead of throwing them away. They can be made into wall coverings, curtains or even a canvas!
The first step is to choose the fabric. There are many options including cotton, polyester, linen and canvas. You can even find lace fabrics which are a lovely addition to a party decor.
Choosing a neutral fabric will allow you to focus on the other elements of your tablescape. It will also give you a blank slate for accenting it with colorful blooms, metallic flatware and other decorations.
If you’re going for a coastal theme, try using blue hues on your linens. These can help tie the overall look together and create a cohesive theme for your special day.
Another way to make your tablecloth stand out is by adding a border. You can do this with a decorative trim called gimp.
To add the gimp, you’ll need to unfurl a spool of this trim on a flat, level surface and mark it to the finished perimeter length.
Once it’s cut, you can either sew it to the tablecloth or attach it with adhesive bonding tape. Either way, you’ll need to press or steam the trim before it goes on the table to activate the bond.
4. Decorate the napkins
When it comes to your tablescape, the napkin is one of the most important pieces. This is because it sets the mood and helps to tie the whole set together. Whether you’re serving a simple dinner or an extravagant brunch, there are many ways to decorate the napkin so it works with the rest of your theme and creates a unique look.
When choosing a napkin, it’s a good idea to consider what material you prefer. Linen can make a table feel more luxurious and sophisticated, while cotton is a more practical option for everyday use.
You can also choose a napkin with a pattern that matches your theme. For example, if you’re planning a rustic or nature-inspired theme, look for napkins with a pattern that features a natural texture like wood or leaves.
Another way to add some color to your napkin is by drawing on it with a bleach pen. This is a great way to get creative with a reusable napkin and can be a fun project for you and your kids.
Folding your napkin is a great way to add flair to your table setting, and it’s easy to do. For an elegant touch, try draping your napkin down at each place setting or folding it around the plate for a layered look.
You can even tuck in greenery into the napkin for an extra touch of elegance. Tuck in a single stem of blooms or a few delicate pieces of greenery for an eye-catching centerpiece. If you’re hosting a buffet-style party, you can also place your cutlery in the fold for guests to easily grab when they’re ready to go.
5. Decorate the tableware
Besides the dish itself, the tableware plays an important role in food presentation. It is a good idea to adapt the tableware to the dish you are going to serve, making sure that all the decorations do not detract from it. For example, a soft pink salmon filet served on a dark plate will impress more than a white yoghurt dish on a light plate. This is because dark crockery contrasts with light dishes, while colourful dinnerware makes the food appear exciting.
The tableware is the perfect place to express yourself with an artistic touch. You can use markers, spray paint, craft paint (glass and multi-surface), stickers, alcohol inks, decoupage medium, and other techniques that allow you to create a unique design. These ideas will add a pop of color and make the plates, bowls and tumblers on your table stand out from the crowd. You can even turn ordinary dinnerware into one-of-a-kind pieces that will look great at your next holiday meal or special event! These ideas will give you the creative juices to come up with your own special dinnerware designs. And best of all, they’re easy to do! Get started with these awesome DIY dinnerware decorating ideas today!
