The “design” blog project

Presentation of food is a complex art form, and is equally as important as taste. Patrons demand to be visually surprised and pleased. Therefore, a chef is a designer. He/She has to obey rules which, just like in architecture or photography, make a creation look impeccable or, at the contrary, visually flat.

What exactly makes food look good?
This blog analyzes the principles of color, texture, form, movement, unity, dimensionality, and even function and environment applied to modern cooking. As we consider aesthetic principles, we elaborate on the art of food presentations, both in their plated forms and buffets or food stations.

The idea for this blog comes from my experience catering high-end events, and watching my chefs plate food. I would insist (sometimes to their discontent) on a certain presentation, and demonstrate a plate the way i wanted it. Some chefs could reproduce it closely enough, but most wouldn’t. Culinary arts design is about getting it; Some have it and some don’t. It’s also about obeying rules, just like in architecture for instance. It’s about learning the foundations of what looks visually stunning. Not everyone “has it”. With this technical blog, students or home chefs are able to understand what makes a nice presentation, giving them an edge in their culinary education.

In this blog, we’ll elaborate on various subjects, from an history of food presentations to the new trends in food design, the creative process in a restaurant setting, the abstract concepts as well as precise technquques such as choosing your supports (plates), creating saturated colors, garnishes, cuts and decorations, piping techniques, etc…

Note that we are planning on posting once a week. In the posts, you will see many tips and ideas, some video tutorials, as well as some comparative pictures to help you visualize what we are talking about. While you should be pleased by the quality of the photos, our goal is to shoot our food plainly, meaning making it look just like you would get it at the table of a restaurant, and without digital enhancement.

While there are many websites, blogs and books covering the art of designing a home interior, a painting, or a photography, there is little information about composing a kick-ass plate worthy of a 3-michelin star restaurant. In other words, dinner is ready, what do you do with your food?