PSA: A line cook called my risotto 'sad' and it changed my whole approach

I was working a busy Friday night about six months ago, plating a seafood risotto that I thought was pretty good. A new line cook, just helping on garde manger, looked at a plate and said, 'Chef, that looks kind of sad... the rice is just sitting there.' It hit me hard. I realized I was so focused on the perfect al dente texture and seasoning that I was just piling it in a bowl. The next day, I started practicing plating. I got a ring mold, started adding height, and made sure to place the seared scallops and shrimp in a way that looked lively, not just dumped on top. It took maybe ten extra seconds per plate. The first time I sent out the new version, a regular sent back a note saying it looked 'happy.' That one piece of criticism from a new guy made me see the plate as a customer does, not just a cook. Has anyone else had a simple visual critique that changed how you finish a dish?

4 comments

4 Comments

paulw5313d ago

Did warming the plate ever change how the food actually tastes for you?

angelaw782mo agoMost Upvoted

Man, that "sad" vs "happy" note from the regular says it all. It's crazy how a tiny visual change can flip the whole feeling of a dish. I used to just spread my purees flat, but someone said it looked like a mud puddle. Now I do a quick swipe with a spoon and it instantly looks more intentional, like a real part of the plate. That ten seconds you mentioned is so true, it's nothing in the grand scheme but makes a world of difference.

kai_webb912mo ago

Remember when I just plopped sauce on the side? What changed it for me was warming the plate first, makes that swipe look smooth and deliberate.

ivan7742mo ago

Totally get that. I used to have the same problem with my sauces looking messy. Warming the plate is a game changer, like @angelaw78 said about the spoon swipe. I started keeping a stack of plates on the warming rack just for this. Makes the sauce sit right where you put it, no weird running. That deliberate look makes the whole plate feel more put together.