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In the Instagram age, when food presentation is as important as taste, chefs elevate meals to an art form
- From gold leaf sprinkles to tailor-made plates, chefs in the social media age are increasingly focused on the look of their food, keen to make it photo-ready
- They are catering to the pretty-food obsession with dishes that tell stories and give ‘meaning to life’. But no amount of beauty can save a poorly cooked meal
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When it comes to eating, taste is only part of the equation.
In this day and age, when “the camera eats first” is the new normal, restaurants also have to follow suit, ensuring that everything from the decor to the cutlery and, most importantly, the dishes, are photo-ready before being presented to the customer.
Creating a delicious and beautifully plated dish is no small feat. In fine dining in particular, each dish involves hours of labour, planning and careful execution before finally being plated.
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Take Richard Ekkebus’ signature uni starter at his two-Michelin-star Hong Kong restaurant, Amber, for example: a layer of sea urchin is placed in the bottom of a custom-made ceramic dish, followed by a spoonful of caviar, and topped with a gold flake to finish. The ceramic dish is then placed on top of an additional plate to serve – and that’s the simplified version.
This is a feast made for your eyes, your camera and then your palate.
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“Food has incredible potential to awaken sensory experiences, to educate and to narrate a story. Food visuals have become far more than the plate itself,” says Isil Okcu, a senior sous chef at private members’ club Soho House Hong Kong.
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