Monday, July 12, 2010

Food design - the art of presenting food!

   

Most of us when we think of design, usually think of interior design in its various applications, that is, art, achitecture, residential or commercial spaces etc. But really design exists in almost anything a person does. Anything that is planned or fashioned artistically and skillfully falls under the definition of "design". And so it is with food design! Being a food designer or stylist is a highly sought after career these days. 

The role of the food designer or stylist is to make the food look attractive in the finished photograph. The main difference between how a home cook or chef may present food and what a stylist does is the time and effort a stylist takes to carefully and artfully arrange the food. Also required is the visual know how, and ability to translate the perception of taste, aroma and appeal that one gets from an actual dish, to a two-dimensional photograph.

Ever wonder why the souffle you slaved over by following the recipe carefully collapses as soon as you remove it from the oven, or the ever so flaky pie crust you baked up....never really looks quite as flaky as that scrumptious picture.....??? Well, its probably because that picture of the souffle was taken while it was baking in the oven which had a glass door, or the souffle dish was stuffed with angel food cake, the batter was painted on top and then baked for a few minutes......, as for the pie crust, well there's a good chance the pie crust was actually held together by glue!!! There are all kinds of tricks of the trade that they use including spraying fruits and veggies with oil and glycerin to make them glisten....but, whatever, nothing is more candy to the eye than a plate of artfully presented food......! And with that I give you these mouth watering images of food, beautifully presented and styled!

Bon Appetit!









Images via Entertaining Asian style!

5 comments:

Sharon said...

Lovely post Kamini
your sense of timing is uncanny
I am this moment reviewing a book
that speaks of presentation ideas for the cook
The ideas in your post are wobbling in my head like a well-set jelly
those yummy food images are dancing in front of my eyes, rather merrily,
for this and all the lovely inspiration, I must thank you heartily!

:P see u are inspiring me to rhyme my comments too now!

Kamini said...

Ha ha Sharon...thats a funny coincidence!! As for me inspring you to rhyme your comments...it means one of 2 things. Either we are both fantastic poets (poetesses?), or its damn easy to compose a poem.....no offense to you, but I susspect the latter :-)

GB said...

:) I know about this Kamini...there was some show on food network where they showed what food stylists were up to- I saw the glue and the spray-on glossy stuff.....never lost my appetite faster! That's why I love the bloogy foodies- it's real and sooo tempting!!! Nothing beats a well prepared and well presented dish...

Kamini said...

GB - At least now I won't feel too bad when the recipe I make doesn't turn out like the pics!!! I'll know then that my food is "real", maybe not so pretty but at least made of the real stuff!

Unknown said...

Thank you Kamini for leaving a wonderful comment on my blog. Sorry for the delay in responding, was juggling too many moments at a time :)

Please do stop by again and again on my blog....it is very encouraging to hear from PROs like you.

I love to read your blogs. It is very inspiring and full of excellent ideas.

Thank you again for the appreciation. :) Good day!