Long awaited by professional chefs, this groundbreaking guide to food
presentation will also delight and inspire culinary students and sophisticated
home cooks. Acclaimed food writer and culinary producer Christopher Styler
describes seven distinctive plating styles, from Minimalist to Naturalist to
Dramatic, with several striking examples of every genre. Each plating suggestion
is accompanied by clear instructions along with color photos of step-by-step
techniques and finished plates. Complete with essays on plating from ten leading
chefs and recipes for the dishes featured, this book is a work of art in
itself—a must for the kitchen shelf.
An inspiring book for professionals and sophisticated home cooks who want to
take their skills to the next level, Working the Plate goes beyond adding a
drizzle of something here or a sprig of something there to explore both the
principles and the art of food presentation. Christopher Styler shares the
secrets of seven contemporary plating styles: The Minimalist, The Architect, The
Artist, Contemporary European Style, Asian Influences, The Naturalist, and
Dramatic Flair. He also reveals the thoughts of ten leading chefs on the art of
plating, from Terrance Brennan and Emily Luchetti to Suzanne Goin and Marcus
Samuelsson.
Working the Plate includes several examples of each plating style.
Stunning color photographs show both finished plates and the steps involved to
duplicate the techniques behind such dishes as Roasted Quail with Chard and
Potatoes, Parmesan Crusted Lamb Chops with Swirled Root Puree and Pea Sauce,
Skate and Angel Hair Pasta with Caper Butter, Soba-Tofu Salad in a Nori Cone,
and Bird's Nest Brunch.
Plating provides the all important first impression and sets the stage for
the sensory experience of enjoying a great meal. With this overview of popular
plating styles, you'll see how you can vary approaches and add a distinctive
dash of élan and panache to the dishes you serve.
Author: Christopher Styler, David Lazarus (Photographer)
ISBN: 0-471-47939-X
Hardcover
208 pages
September 2006
