Plate like a pro - tips to garnish dishes

The plate is your canvas. From its shape and shades, plates play an essential role in making a dish look appetising. Studies have proven that food served on red plates are consumed less in amount when the same dish is served on white plates. How you present a dish is as important as its taste in winning your guests' heart.

Here are some tips to plate your dishes like a pro:

- Contem'plate' your designs

Plates should be chosen as per the shape, colour and texture of the dish being served. Freshly cut veggies or salads look better on an oval white plate than round plates. Similarly, sushi or patties are best served on white, wood or black rectangular plates.

Play with some geometry. Go for fun-shaped plates if you are serving a simple and smooth-textured dish.

- Be a sauce maestro

To sauce up a dinner, throwing in some interesting sauce patterns on your serving plates is a great way. It works best with starters and desserts. You can drip it, brush it or draw with as you like. But you should always keep in mind that the sauce drizzle on the plate is something that would pair well with the dish being served. Serve the chocolate sauce with pastry, and mayo dip with fish fingers, as simple as that.

If you are using a thicker sauce, dip, or cream, opt for fun-tipped piping nozzles.

- Chocolates perk up looks

If you are up for enhancing the looks of your desserts or pastries, melted chocolate would become your best friend. Pour it into moulds or cut out into desired shapes after cooling down. Experiment with dark, white and milk chocolates to make interesting patterns.

- Let shapes retain form

Make sure that the presentation stays sharp before you serve it. The lack of defined shapes and patterns gives a messy look to presentation. If you are using frostings, creams or chilled items, keep the temperature of the plate and surroundings in check to ensure it would not melt away.

- Opt for the right shade

Go for contrasting shades while choosing the plate and garnish. For a light-shaded dish, choose a bright plate. For a smooth dessert, opt for some crispy garnish.

- Craft veggies

Fruit and veggie wedges are the most basic garnish you could serve with literally anything. Go for olive skewers, peels and leafy vegetables to make it look classy and elegant. Experiment with your artistic side by brushing food colouring to fruit flowers and fondant. Spray some gold dust to give it a deluxe look.