Plates

Guidance on Using Plate Sets for Serving Various Dishes

In the world of dining, presentation is everything! It’s no secret that food presentation can either make or break your appetite. Can one dinnerware set hold every kind of dish? It is quite apparent that it cannot.

From pairing the right plates set to considering color psychology for different dishes, a lot goes into using correct plates and cutlery to enhance the taste of the food and levitate the dining experience. 

Fundamental Principles for Pairing Basic Plates

Whether you are hosting a dinner party or want to improve your dining at home, there are some principles for pairing plates to achieve optimum satisfaction.

The visual effect of color coordination

Color coordination is one of the most important things in dinnerware pairing. Color not only adds aesthetic appeal but also impacts the mood and evokes different emotions. For instance, warm colors like yellow, orange, and red bring warmth and happiness and stimulate positive energy, while cool colors like green, blue, and purple make you feel calm and refreshed. 

However, you might get overwhelmed seeing so many color coordinations to choose from. So, we suggest you start with a basic color palette like blue and a neutral white color. While a white color plate may seem dull, together with a warm or cool color, it’ll provide the space for other warm or cool colors to shine. Here are some other color combinations you can try for your plate set.

Gold and White | Coral and Blue | Yellow and Blue | Red and White (for Christmas gatherings) | Black and White | Green and Yellow

Harmony Between the Shape of Dishes and the Selected Plate

Plates and serviceware come in various geometric shapes, including classic round, square, oval, or rectangular. You may even come across some creative ones, such as teardrop-shaped, oblong, or spoon-shaped. The art is to find the perfect blend between the shape of dishes and your selected plates and ensure that your dish is visually balanced and not overwhelming.

Round plates are the most common ones found in every house, and rightly so, for how convenient these are for dishwashers and back-of-house storage. On the other hand, triangular plates are a rare shape to find in a plate. 

Then, there are square-shaped plates were once the epitome of modern chic dining, but their weakness to edge-chip resistance made them unpopular for daily or casual gatherings.

How to Pairing Hot and Cold Dishes with Plate Sets

Plating Techniques for Cold Dishes

From vibrant starters to refreshing seafood platters, from the classic gazpacho to crisp and flavorful salads, cold dishes are favorites of many diners. It requires arranging and presenting chilled or room-temperature foods in an aesthetically pleasing and appetizing manner.

You can create an aesthetically appealing plate by symmetrically arranging food components, ensuring a balance of food distribution. This plating technique will help make the dish look more organized and inviting.

Also, if you are serving cold or frozen items, ensure your plates are cold, too. To achieve this, you can place your plates set in the fridge or freezer for about an hour before serving.

Plating Techniques for Hot Dishes

Hot dishes like stir-fries, soup, and stew should be served on hot or pre-heated plates. Stoneware plates, known for heat retention, are the best choice here to keep your food warm for a longer duration. You can use a stoneware bakeware set for baking dishes, like King Ranch chicken and pot pies, and serve them directly out of the oven to the diners.

Remember, no matter what kind of dish you're having, the presentation will always influence its taste. Thoughtful plating will make even your basic dishes seem more appetizing and valuable. 

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