First impressions matter, and with Angie’s, our platters delivered have visual appeal that excites and encourages guests to dig in. The way your food is presented at an event or gathering is as important as the way it tastes. With that in mind, it can never hurt to receive a bit of advice regarding plating and aesthetics.
In this article, we will be sharing tips and tricks to help you present your platters delivered in a way that enhances the overall dining experience for your guests, both from a visual and a functional perspective. This enables your platters to be a show-stopping centrepiece and conversation starter at your next function. If this topic piques your interest, we encourage you to read on.
Why Presentation Matters
Have you heard the saying “We eat with our eyes first?” Well, it’s the truth; we are visual creatures, and our brains rely heavily on our sight to help us decide what to eat. The colour, shape, texture, and overall presentation of a dish significantly influence how appetising a meal appears.
A part of the reason we came to be was because there was a distinct lack of creativity in the industry, this inspired Angie Steele to bring some much-needed imagination into the catering space. The traditional platters on offer for events and gatherings often appear bland and lifeless, whereas we see food as something so much more. Cooking is a creative outlet, and we believe food should not only act as fuel for our bodies but also our souls.
Food has a magical way of bringing people together, it becomes part of celebration and is a universal language that can unite different groups of people. A well-presented dish can also be a form of visual storytelling, the way colours, textures, and shapes are arranged can invoke a sense of intrigue and excitement. The presentation of your food shows care and attention to detail that can turn even the simplest dishes into something memorable.
The History Of Food Presenting And Plating Techniques
Attention to detail and care in the way food is displayed is nothing new, human beings, since ancient times, have recognised the importance of meal presentation alongside taste. Hieroglyphics show that the Egyptians would organise food offerings that showcased a variety of dishes, all arranged in artistic patterns on plates or woven mats. While the Romans enjoyed hosting extravagant banquets with marvellous selections of fruit and vegetables.
In Medieval Europe, large decorative platters were often displayed on levels to create height and grandeur, communicating wealth and power. Whereas in the Renaissance period, plates became smaller, with greater attention to detail and a desire for balance and symmetry. Smaller, more intricate platters were laid across tables showcasing culinary artistry.
Fast forward to today and the art of food presentation is continuing to evolve. What we feel is lacking in modern dining is a deep connection to the food we consume, where it comes from, and how it looks, feels, and smells. Food is a celebration, and eating should be a mindful and engaging experience.
A current growing trend is farm-to-table, with the use of seasonal and fresh produce. At Angie’s, we like to keep up with the latest culinary trends and provide fresh platters delivered using local and seasonal ingredients, celebrating the natural beauty of each element. We like to layer our dishes using a variety of textures, colours, and complementary flavours to create a full sensory experience that your guests will surely remember.
Tips For Platter Presentation And Table Display
Planning and hosting a fantastic event or gathering takes up quite a bit of time and energy, with cooking being one of the most important and time-consuming activities. At Angie’s, we will happily assist you in this endeavour, our unique, mouth-watering platters delivered are perfect for any occasion. This allows you to focus on laying these already beautifully presented dishes out in a way that communicates your desired vision. Here are a few simple tips and techniques to help you make the most out of your Angie’s platters delivered.
1. Planning And Preparation
Occasion or theme: Is your party or event focused on a specific occasion or are you planning to create your event around a unique theme? Aligning your food with the theme or occasion of your event creates a more memorable and enjoyable experience. For example, if you are hosting a Women’s Day brunch at the office, you may want to offer platters that are healthy, convenient, and sophisticated to ensure your colleagues have the energy to continue with their work activities. This also helps to create a stress-free, convenient experience for those who may have limited time to socialise.
A few great examples from our menu include our smoked salmon and dill cream cheese bruschetta, or Coconut Yoghurt Pots with Granola and Berries. If you are hosting a Bazaar feast, then you may want to offer vibrant Middle Eastern dishes to teleport your guests. A few wonderful examples from Angie’s Menu include our coriander herb falafel wraps topped with smoked aubergine puree, or our spinach and mint spanakopita served with a whipped sweetened feta.
Guest Count: Creating an accurate guest count will allow you to order the perfect amount and variety of platters delivered to ensure your guests are satisfied. Knowing the number of guests also allows you to think about the overall presentation of your meals and how you can arrange your platters strategically for easy access and to avoid overcrowding.
Dietary Needs: It is vital to understand the dietary requirements of your guests ahead of time so you can plan your food accordingly. Luckily, at Angie’s, we offer a wide variety of options to cater for those requesting vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free meals.
Colour And Variety: As mentioned previously, food tells a story, it should be eye-catching and inviting. A plethora of options translates into a diversity of flavours and textures. Think of taking a bite of our burnt red peppers and roasted fennel salad with salsa Verde. Alternatively, you could tuck into a Thai Grilled Chicken Skewer finished with coconut shavings, coriander, and red chilli. For some sweetness, you could opt for our baked ricotta hazelnut cheesecake topped with buttercream. Variety allows guests to be taken on a journey and experiment with new flavour combinations, it ensures you are catering to different palates and dietary preferences, elevating the overall presentation of your spread.
Ordering Angie’s Platters Delivered: Once you have gone through all of the above, you are now ready to pick and choose from a variety of unique platter options from our menu. Including breakfast, wraps and skewers, canapes and nibbles, salad platters, meat and fish platters, desserts, or simply choose a set menu. After selecting your platters from our online menu, we will request your delivery date and time. You can order up to four weeks in advance and we need at least 48 hours’ notice, at minimum. We can deliver anywhere within the M25 via courier or taxi, or you are welcome to collect your order directly from our kitchen in Chiswick. Your food will arrive in biodegradable platters, which you can serve as is or follow the steps below to help you perfect your platter and table display.
2. Choosing The Right Platters Based On Material And Style
If you’re not using Angie’s biodegradable platter base as is, consider which material you wish to use to suit the style and presentation you want to achieve. How you present your platters impacts both the functionality and visual appeal of your presentation. Below, we have shared a few popular platter styles and materials and how best to use them for your event.
Wood board:
- Style: Wood gives a rustic, warm, natural feel.
- Functionality: Wood absorbs moisture so it’s best suited for dry foods, like our vegan caramel shortbreads, mini ham and cheese croissants, or bruschetta with avocado and tomato.
- Presentation: Wood pairs fantastically with a variety of casual or semi-formal gatherings, it will add a natural and warm feel to your event.
Slate board:
- Style: Slate gives off a modern, sleek, and sophisticated feel.
- Functionality: It is non-porous, stain-resistant, and easy to clean, making it ideal for juicy foods, like our satay chicken skewers with peanut satay sauce, or lemon and elderflower mini bundt cakes.
- Presentation: This simple, elegant surface allows the vibrant colour of your platters delivered to pop and will work great with any modern or minimal events.
Stoneware:
- Style: Stoneware adds to an earthy, handcrafted, and rustic atmosphere
- Functionality: Stoneware comes in various glazes, some porous and best for dry foods, while others are non-porous, making them suitable for juicier food options.
- Presentation: Depending on the type of glazed stoneware you have, try to display food that aligns with this earthy rustic style, such as our Honey Roasted Parsnips and Chantenay Carrots with a Coriander Tahini Yogurt Dressing.
Glass:
- Style: Glass offers a minimalist, sleek, and modern feel.
- Functionality & Presentation: Glass is non-porous and minimal, making it perfect for showing off a variety of colourful and textured foods, like our vibrant summer coleslaw and chicken and pistachio pesto platter, layered with sun-blushed tomatoes and parmesan shavings.
- Presentation: Glass creates a clean, light, and airy feel and will allow your platters to pop on the table.
3. Food Arrangement
Grouping by colour and texture: Angie’s platters delivered are already vibrantly curated and packed, so you won’t need to make too many major adjustments. However, you can choose to group similarly coloured and textured items to create cohesion. For example, you could place the Watermelon and crumb feta pot with the beetroot rainbow wrap together to create a gorgeous selection of pops of red.
Play with height: Adding dimension to your table creates a more dynamic display. You can either use tiered platters to give you height or you can build your platters by stacking and layering various elements. This creates a sense of abundance and allows for easier access to different foods on the platter. Try using utensils, like small forks or skewers, to prop up your platters or consider using small bowls to hold dips and jams to create visible differences in height.
4. The Finishing Touches
Garnishes: Sprinkling garnishes from sprigs of herbs like rosemary, thyme, or edible flowers are a great way to add a touch of colour and elegance to your platters. All of our platters come beautifully garnished already, however, feel free to spruce your platters up in any way you like.
Labelling: To make it easier for guests to pick food that suits their taste buds and dietary requirements, it is a good idea to consider creating labels using cards or toothpicks for each platter and indicating which are Vegan (V), Vegetarian (Vg), Gluten-free (GF), etc. – to inform guests of contents.
Choosing Angie’s Platters Delivered For Your Event Or Gathering
As a chef-owned and run business, great food is at the heart of what we do. We have been in the catering industry for over a decade and are incredibly passionate about creating extraordinary dishes served fresh – sure to wow your guests at any event. Not only is the creation of innovative mouth-watering dishes important to us but so too is creating a seamless, hassle-free experience that keeps our customers coming back time and again. If you are looking for world-class platters delivered to satisfy your guests at your upcoming event, then head to our menu and select away!
