Plating up

Reality TV has yet another thing to answer for. We've watched as the stars of these cooking comps - whether it be MasterChef Australia, My Kitchen Rules or, my personal favourite the Greek series Come Dine With Me- fumble with the task of plating up. Or, we've seen a regular Joe Blow go from electrician by day, to food artist in the space of two weeks and we all wonder how the heck does he do it? Plating up is the art of serving the food for your diner, and it's a fine art form that distinguishes a cook from a chef. Presentation is the final, vital ingredient of every finished dish.

Eating food is as much a visual experience as one dependant on taste alone. More often than not, food is ordered that appeals to our eyes first, before we even think of the flavour combinations used. A well presented dish gives diners the chance to fall head-over-heels for what they are about to eat before they've even taken a bite. But you don't have to be a chef to know the basics of plating up, and you can even change a few things at home to impress your friends at your next dinner party. Just follow these seven steps and you will be plating up like a pro.

1. The table

The way you set the table is the basis, the foundation of the artistry involved in presenting the dishes like a chef. When you have guests over, it's nice to make an effort and create a table that's fit for restaurant standard. But it doesn't have to always be fine dining either, it's all about creating a homely, warm environment.

Start by thinking about what you are cooking, is there a culinary theme you can adhere too? When cooking Greek food, think back to taverna's in the Hellenic Republic when setting your table. Try and dress the table in a blue and white checkered tablecloth, ensure there's white napkins on the table, toothpicks, Greek sea salt and drink the wine out of tumblers. For the authentic experience, use paper placemats and place large pieces of bread on them. Once the main is finished, simply scrunch them up and throw away. This method will not only save on washing up, but will give your diner a very authentic experience of what's it's like to eat in a village taverna in Greece, where it's more about the food than the fancy cutlery.

2. The plates

The plates you choose play a huge part in the way your food is presented. Always ensure the plate is big enough for the diner to visually experience the meal but small enough to not make the food portions seem tiny. You may notice when eating out that many restaurants use white plates, this is because the chef wants the food to 'pop' visually. But with the variety of colours and styles of plates, and with many home wares being so affordable these days, it's great to experiment with the plates you use. Square plates are great for starters and a dish using a protein or fish, deep bowls are great for a risotto or pasta dish and round plates are great for a heartier meal.

3. What time is it?