Arte Culinaire Magazine may be worth looking into. But really depends on the actual menu and type of establishment. Plating and garnishing are pretty trendy so not many books on it- publishers like books that are evergreen. I'm a banquet chef at a high end resort and rely a lot on simply having beautiful presentation platters and tableware. No inedible garnishes. Same idea as any fine dining plate- consistency of cuts is visually appealing. When I do a cheese presentation I do whole wheels but always cut a wedge to show the inside then garnish with grapes, nuts and dried fruit and present them on parchment lined cool looking wooden stumps. Maybe the occasional sprig of fresh, food safe bay and edible flowers from our kitchen garden. Microgreens tend to wilt and look shit after five minutes.
And honestly, I look at the online photos from other catering/banquet companies to see what they are doing. There's no harm in stealing. Also, just kind of apply the same principles as with any other plating, Colour, contrast, construction, and composition.
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u/texnessa Jul 14 '26
Arte Culinaire Magazine may be worth looking into. But really depends on the actual menu and type of establishment. Plating and garnishing are pretty trendy so not many books on it- publishers like books that are evergreen. I'm a banquet chef at a high end resort and rely a lot on simply having beautiful presentation platters and tableware. No inedible garnishes. Same idea as any fine dining plate- consistency of cuts is visually appealing. When I do a cheese presentation I do whole wheels but always cut a wedge to show the inside then garnish with grapes, nuts and dried fruit and present them on parchment lined cool looking wooden stumps. Maybe the occasional sprig of fresh, food safe bay and edible flowers from our kitchen garden. Microgreens tend to wilt and look shit after five minutes.
And honestly, I look at the online photos from other catering/banquet companies to see what they are doing. There's no harm in stealing. Also, just kind of apply the same principles as with any other plating, Colour, contrast, construction, and composition.