Win The New Art of Cooking by Frankie Unsworth
***Rachel Khoo would like to thank all the inspiring people who helped make the Khoollect studio a hive of creativity. Although the Khoollect studio’s doors have now closed, you can keep up with Rachel’s newest adventures on RachelKhoo.com and on Rachel’s Instagram and Facebook pages – and, continue to enjoy the Khoollect website’s stories and recipes, which will remain available.***
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Herbs! Often delicious stews and soups can be a rather unexciting to look at, but a quick sprinkle of a herb that complements the flavours of the dish can do wonders! And even simple desserts look so special with edible flowers scattered over.
It’s all about natural light, it always makes food look more appetising!
good light to show the delicious food
a plain background so everyone can focus on the food!
Use nice crockery and a fresk tablecloth.
Fresh Herbs
Edible flowers!
I just put the food in a plate and let the garnish fall, make it rain!
I like to dress my dining table as if I was dressing a room, aiming to make it functional and beautiful. I apply a similar approach to presenting a plate of food, considering colours and textures to see what compliments sitting next to each other on a plate, but I also remember what needs to be served in a practical manner so it is easy and enjoyable to eat.
I use plain, all white crockery and vintage cutlery, I often add sprigs of dried herbs grown in the garden.
garnish with the main ingredients/flavours
Fesh and best quality ingredients!
A tip I’ve learnt is turning the plate, rather than turning your hand and utensil when plating up. Turning the plate makes it easier when for example making a spaghetti nest, or a bit of sauce in a circular shape. Makes it look all pretty and professional!
My top tip… beautiful plates & bowls. I collect them on my travels and have lots of lovely things from around the world.
good, preferably natural, light. White plates. Correctly sized plates for the food – there’s nothing worse than a tiny portion on a large plate…or a larger dish on a plate that’s too small so the food doesn’t have sufficient room to “bresthe” on the plate
It’s all about the herb garnish!
Using smaller plates so the food does not look lost amid the china; so, serving a main on a slightly larger than normal side plate!
Keep it simple = not too fussy, as if it’s been handled too much.
Accessorise! Unfortunately for some, I’m one of ‘those’ people who post food pics on insta (avidly) and my tip is, get a whole production behind you. I always stand on top of the chair (sometimes even in restaurants, to the utter dismay of my boyfriend) in order to get a perfect flatlay. I’ll improvise and put anything on the table, be it my sunglasses, lip balm, change etc., I even include my boyfriend’s perfect cheese-spreading hand movement to add a more ‘personal touch’. Sometimes, chaotic is better so the more accessories, the merrier. I know.. it’s annoying, but I always think, #doitforthegram.
A mish mash of different brightly patterned bowls and plates,’with a vibrant mix of foods and colours 🙂
Use the freshest, best-looking ingredients and don’t over cook the dish.
A good balance of colours to offset ingredients. Even if it’s only two colours for a stark contrast or a single coloured food on a complimenting plate.
Lighting and not too much messing after with filters, people want to see exactly what the food looks like if they try to recreate it…happy baking
Placement on the plate is very important to appeal
Less is more!
I have no artistic talents and so I go for the home made look
I find getting it onto the plate is enough for my lot – cutlery is optional!
I like mixed textures and colours, both in the food and the setting in which it’s served
good lighting , allways
Less is more when serving
Baste everything with melted butter to give it that succulent glisten.
Presentation … No matter how good your food tastes,if it’s not presented properly it doesn’t look appetising.
I think using edible flowers is a great way to enhance food.
salad leaves and herbs sprinkled lightly on the appropriate dish and use a nice plate
I love adding pea shoots, they add colour and texture.
lovely plates and serving utensils
Don’t overcomplicate things – keep it simple.
Fresh food, chicken, veg spices etc makes a difference, stands out more and aroma is really fresh and strong.
The basic thing to remember is the rule of thirds. Imagine you’ve split your picture into 9 squares – you don’t want your subject to be slap bang in the middle, it’s more pleasing to the eye if it’s just off centre and only occupying about 75% of the space.
Choice of plate/Dish/Bowl is often over looked. The choice of size /colour can make a huge difference to the presentation of any foods.
Clean plates, and interesting backgrounds!
Some nice, smooth and shiny yum sauce that covers the meal and also herbs which gives finished look.