The Food Network is one of the most popular television channels to watch. So no wonder why brides are asking for more artistic presentation of their reception dinner. Even if it’s, “Just Chicken,” it better be beautiful!
Food styling is actually the wrong term; it should be food presentation but most people are saying ‘styling’ because they want the style of restaurant food for their wedding reception. So how do you begin? You start with the catering manager and the Chef as this will be considered to a certain extent, a customized menu.
We always like elements that are stacked, giving the plate a dramatic element of height. Also painting a plate with a brush, accents the presentation of the entrée with added texture. Whatever your Chef designs, you will be sure to be pleased. Allowing a Chef the opportunity to “play with the food” is a great chance to show their artistic and creative side.
Sometimes it’s fanning the asparagus or potato wedges in a way to create a wave of color or sometimes it’s an element simply stated. The placing of items in a deconstructed manor has been recently been most popular with the presentation of salads. Our latest discovery was very intriguing – a Caesar salad with the dressing placed on the bottom and the salad placed on top. This showcased the brilliant greens in the romaine lettuce and the shaved Parmesan cheese curls. Gone was the blob of pre-mixed Caesar salad on a salad plate; and guests simply mixed their salad at the table.
So if you are wondering how to decorate your wedding reception on a budget, don’t forget to style your food presentation, your guests will be WOWed with the artistry and you will be able to stay within budget.