Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce

Dining is something we do for substance. It is something we do as a social occasion. We enjoy it with our friends and families. Everyone of these occasions can be special. But the great taste of our food is only part of the dining experience.  We seek to treat not only our palette but also to enjoy a feast with our eyes.  Visual dining is a very important part of the experience. Liven up your dining experiences by creating food that not only dazzles the tongue but is also “Pretty Food - Food That Looks Great on the Plate”.

Begin by creating a frame with your table setting.  The utensils on the left and right hand side, a wine glass at the top, and a napkin posed to be moved to our lap.  Consider the purchase of white plates. Restaurants use them, you can too. They’ll make the colors and texture of your food really “pop”.  Your guests will be impressed before they take their first bite.

When choosing what is going on the plate, put nothing that the diner can’t enjoy on it, nothing inedible. If you put a garnish on the plate, it should complement the food on the plate. Consider putting an ingredient that you used in the meal on the plate such as Rosemary and Garlic Potatoes or a sprig of Rosemary. If the dish is really complicated, go with a simple garnish. If the dish is simple, go with a more complicated garnish. Use platters to serve meats and vegetables with a little garnish on it.

Another important technique to help with your presentation is to add natural colors to the plate. Add a slice of fruit or edible flowers gently placed on the plate or platter. Think geometrically and rise above the plate. Lean a pork chop on the mound of mash potatoes in the middle of the plate and on the other side of the mound, lean some asparagus. Shred a few carrots and add this to the middle of the pile for some color.  Set your inner artist free and your guests will thank you for it!

Odd numbers are also the preferred way to place food on the plate. Add 3 different food items versus 4 different food items. If you are garnishing the plate with fruit, add 1 piece or 3 pieces, never add an even number.

Lastly, remember you can always sprinkle and drizzle a variety of items on a plate to make it look nice.  Nuts, powdered sugar, and herbs can all be sprinkled on a plate. Keep on hand a few squeeze bottles and use these for liquids. You can easily add some excitement to a white plate with vanilla ice cream by making a few dots on the plate and drizzling the sauce over the top of the ice cream.

Whatever you chose, remember the dining experience is just that, an experience all your own.  A little creativity and attention to the visual experience serves to heighten the senses and transform great taste into great dining.

By Lisa Lefner, President

Urban Chef, Inc.

‘Your Invitation to Gourmet Living’

A Gourmet Lifestyle Company serving the Chicagoland area

www.urbanchefchicago.com

lisa_lefner@urbanchefchicago.com

312-213-6648

As our businesses change with the times, so too must the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce.  We are very excited to be rolling out new initiatives that will allow our members to network in a whole new way!

In this high speed age of technology, business professionals are always on the hunt for the latest and fastest way to advertise, sell, and network.  That is why the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce is rolling out its “High Speed Networking”. 

Beginning in May, the Tinley Park Chamber will post a new comments and topics that our members can view and post their own comments or experiences.  This new form of networking will allow EVERY member an opportunity to get involved in a more digital way.

The first topic of the month will be posted in May.  If you have ideas and/or articles you would like to submit, please e-mail them to info@tinleychamber.org.