HOUSTON – Before we grab a bite, we tend to eat with our eyes first. Sometimes, we’ll even take a picture of a beautifully plated dish that makes the viewer’s mouth water in envy. But you don’t have to dine at a restaurant to get that experience.
Today on Houston Life, Chef Felipe Botero, Chef de Cuisine of Le Jardinier at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, shows us how to transform an ordinary plate into a work of art at home. Here are four simple tips:
- Keep the dish simple yet elegant.
- Prepare your plating elements in advance (in culinary terms, this is a mise en place).
- Instead of plating your condiments and accouterments, set them on the table. This will give the table a perception of abundance.
- Use colorful and exotic ingredients such as flowers, microgreens, and truffles.
Watch the video above as he shows Derrick and Lauren how to plate a visually stunning dish.
You can also see his work at Le Jardinier. Chef Botero curated three special holiday menus you can see and taste.
1. Christmas Eve
This is a five-course menu priced at $175 per person.
Click here to see the menu and make a reservation
2. New Year’s Eve (5 pm seating)
A four-course set menu priced at $165 per person
Click here to see the menu and make a reservation
3. New Year’s Eve (7:30 pm seating)
A six-course set menu showcasing holiday delicacies, such as foie gras, caviar, and black truffles, priced at $295 per person