I hope you enjoyed today's video. You can find all the food presentation items used in this video here ➡️ a.co/8ysUpVM or check out my corresponding blog post for more dailyconnoisseur.blogspot.com/2022/07/food-presentation-tips-for-home-cook.html I would love to hear your food styling tips. Let us know in the comments and yours could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog. Thank you for watching! Love, Jennifer
Your family is so blessed to have a mother who puts so much love and care into the details. Something tells me your children are going to look back at their childhood with such fondness.
Even more, they will carry Jennifer's values with them into their futures and if/when they eventually have their own homes and families. Generational elegance!
The husband of a friend once disagreed with the idea that we eat with our eyes. Some time after that discussion, she decided to prove her point. She made baked chicken breast with mashed potatoes and white gravy, accompanied by cauliflower with white cheddar sauce...served on a plain white plate. Point made...and conceded.
Hello Jennifer. I had to come back and comment a second time because after this video I found some stemmed glass desert bowls in a charity shop which are beautiful, I bought them and served fresh berries and cream with brown sugar and crumbled ginger biscuit on top. My children thought it was fantastic and said it was the best desert they've ever had in their life. The glass fancy serving dishes made all the difference. Thank you so much. 💓
Whenever I'm plan my vegetable garden I always include a variety of edible flowers. Not only do they add beauty to the garden and the plate, many also offer natural pest resistance and encourage pollinators. My children are more willing to try new foods if I offer them with a toothpick or tiny cocktail forks, for some reason the little utensils make it much more fun and exciting 😄
@@TheDailyConnoisseur one of my favorites are the wild violets that bloom every spring. I make a beautiful violet jelly with them that is a gorgeous pink color, perfect for spring tea time!
..... A very lovely and meaningful video. I was married to a Chef, and he taught me even more about " presentation ", as my Grandmother had taught me that " we eat with our eyes first ". Even making a simple rice dish with Chicken, and Asparagus , I would shape the rice into an oval, sliced chix breast on top, then place the Asparagus spears in crisscross either on top. OR next to the rice /Chicken. It looks so appealing, and I think we should give children the same thing, on a smaller scale. I used the divided plates for my own children, on certain days, ...they loved it. Especially when we had " Take out - Fake Out", which was homemade " take out food" .... burgers, sweet potato fries, you get the gist. It was so fun for them, can be done with everything from chicken nuggets, to pizza. I am going to order the Connoisseur Kids, to send to my oldest daughter, what a neat idea that book was !! Thank you for the elements of living more Graciously, and Intentionally. Oh ! P.S. - I have had many people say they've never seen tomato on a grilled cheese sandwich ....lol. my Grandmother had been making it that way since I was probably 11 or 12 but her deal was cooked sliced bacon, tomato and yes sometimes she would put the grilled onions on it.... absolutely delicious, even without the onions. It is my favorite grilled cheese sandwich and it is absolutely wonderful.
My husband invested in a whip cream dispenser. We just fill it (to the line) with heavy whipping cream and a little of your favorite sweetener and you can turn anything into a delightful dessert! He makes fancy sodas with the whipped cream. He puts it on our coffees to make them look like they are from a café. Plus, the cream stays fresh longer in the gas! We use it all the time now.
Presentation is so important in how a person feels about food! I was a cook for 20 yrs and learned to make a plate interesting & inviting! Beautiful video!!!
Absolutely beautiful video. This ties in so well with living in a more formal life, instead of plunking food on a plate and having a seat on the sofa in front of the tv. I know not many people do or can, but I always loved in Downton Abbey, how even at breakfast, everyone was dressed for the day and sat, even for a short while, to enjoy the meal.
Wow, this was a fabulous video. I needed this encouragement as having so many children, i sometimes have to rush to dish up the food and it doesn't always look pretty, its ok but it could be better. You have made me think more about the way i present my meals. i am keen to get some desert bowls and squeezable bottles after watching this. thank you Jennifer.x
I just bought myself a television for the first time in my life. I decided that the first YT content that I wanted to watch on my television was yours, Jennifer. And I am ridiculously grateful that the very first thing I chose to view in my little room was this beautiful presentation. Thanks for holding this space for elegance and grace
Nice tips! Another way for a more appealing food presentation is to use your good china not only for special occasions but on a daily basis. It's a shame that a lot of people use shabby plates, glasses and so on, whereas they have better alternatives in their cupboards...a nice set of plates for example could definitely elevate a simple meal and offer you a more 'formal' dining experience...
Jennifer I’m currently on a Viking river cruise, the Grand European cruise. The food has been amazing and so well presented just beautiful. We attended a concert in Vienna and the lead violinist played a piece from Vivaldi’s four seasons, Summer and I thought of you. It was amazing and I wish I could share it with you, but I can’t because of copyrighting. This cruise has not disappointed so far, beautiful towns and cities and we have net some very nice people.
Wow! You must be having a lovely time. I have been on cruises and can’t get over how they present their food. I am going on a European river cruise in August and will visit Vienna. With your comment, I really can’t wait. Yes, I will also go to a concert in Vienna. I am going on Avalon though. (I like Viking, but none of the itineraries with Oberammergau offer a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle.)
This is such a lovely video Jennifer! ❤️ Presentation is so important. Definitely inspiring me to upgrade my food presentation for my family 🥰. Thank you for sharing these tips! 🌸
I refuse to use paper plates. Years ago, I bought a stack of very inexpensive patterned clear glass plates. They go with everything, and always look appropriate. Food just tastes better on a real plate, rather than on a soggy paper plate.
For decades, I have arranged foods either in various decorative servicing dishes or different colors of foods onto plates. The shapes and colors of the simplest, everyday foods look more appetizing. Thank you for more good ideas to try in arranging foods.
I appreciate what this video is trying to achieve. I do believe there's something beautiful, organic about eating meals family style with beautiful serving platters and bowls. I have a large family and it would take me an hour to individual plate our food this way. But I can elevate things by having the children set the table beautifully and serving food out of dishes instead of pots and pans. For me the individual serving ideas are just not practical.
I get it. When I had a large family, I did serve each kid and had them pick up in the kitchen. I found when they were little, if I did not do this they would there would be too much waste.
I am not a mom…although I am pregnant with my first, but I was a full time nanny for many years and have a lot of experience with feeding a picky toddler. I’d say constantly trying the same foods over and over, but the key I found is having them eat at least 3 bites of whatever each time. Gives them time beyond the first bit of insisting they don’t like it. Now obviously after perhaps 3 separate attempts they really don’t like that food and that’s okay. Or if they show signs of a food allergy then stop, of course. However, more likely they will actually not mind and even like what they thought they didn’t!
Hi Jennifer! I've always loved using the footed desert bowls it's a perfect serving size and so beautiful. I got a set of crystal punch cups at a thrift shop and use them for desert as well, they are perfect for a scoop of ice cream or yogurt and fruit! Thanks Jennifer enjoyed the tips!
This is something I never put much thought into before, but I am amazed by your before and afters, And I will definitely start trying to work on the presentation of my food moving forward!!
Jennifer, I can depend on you to deliver great videos. This was superb. I also loved the sectioned plates. This presentation would encourage any child to eat and enjoy. Your videos are very professional and you were truly beaming today. Thanks for all the effort you put in to the videos for us to enjoy.
Your food videos are some of my favorites! We enjoy eating some soups from porcelain Asian soup spoons. We enjoy soups in general even in hot weather because the extra fluid is nice and soup is often a lighter meal. I place our vintage hand painted Italian soup tureen on our dining table which makes a pretty centerpiece. Soup tureens are available in many sizes and colors. Don’t forget to garnish your soup!
I love the idea of presenting your meals in a more thoughtful and artistic way. I find I slow way down when I eat my meal from a beautiful plate and nicely set table. The kids plate looked fantastic!
A great reminder and I'm already thinking of how I will serve dinner tomorrow. My mother used to tell us to feed the eyes AND the stomach but I needed this reminder today
May I just please say, Jennifer, I've had a really difficult and stressful week with my cat in vet hospital in an oxygen tent at first, following a tracheal tear from anaesthesia tubing during dentistry. Lots of long drives to and fro. The week prior to that, I strained my knee in the garden and compounded it with a fall on uneven pavement in the dark. My cat came home yesterday and we are all relaxing today and I have found so much kindness and calm from your videos I have been binge-watching all morning. I am in Australia where there is so much fear and illness around, media lies and nagging and tyranny from authorities. I find it so hard being "out there" and dealing with people now who think differently from my viewpoint. To come back to your calm and beautiful videos beaming with love and structure has been a blessing. I wish you and your viewers all well. And p.s. my cats eat off nice china plates and saucers from thrift shops.
Really great ideas! I think I was better at doing this when I was cooking for my children. Now that they're grown, my husband and I are more likely not to think about presentation when it's "just us", but it's still so important. I have an older friend who serves a delicious French dessert in hollowed out egg shells placed in egg cups - so lovely!
Thank you for this lovely video! I’m on bed rest after an emergency earlier this week. Watching this is so fun and I look forward to trying some of these tips when I’m better. Thank you also for your book At Home, it was so great to come back to my home after the hospital because of many of your ideas I implemented after reading the book. Fresh flowers and an organized, clean home eliminates so much stress.
Also thank you for the idea of pretending you have guests coming to stay overnight. I’m doing my bed rest in the guest suite that I worked hard to make beautiful for guests. It’s such a treat to have a lovely room ready. Many blessings on your work, it really makes a difference.
I can appreciate the thought behind the presentation of our meals. I would try some of these for a fancy dinner with guests or Special occasion for family. For me just for a regular at home meal; its too over the top and time consuming. I do however agree with going more with European portions; than the way so many people load up plates in the U.S., especially for children.
So happy to see this video and learn from it. I've been taking cooking classes, French, but my presentation is so lacking. It really does make a difference. Thank you.
hi Jennifer, thanks for another great video! You can often find sectioned plates in Indian restaurants (called “thali platters”) as a menu option for both children and adults. They offer small sample bites of appetizer/mains/yogurt-raita/dessert/naan. Great way to maybe sample a new cuisine without tons of leftovers, or to have a lighter meal (though still very filling) of all your favourites. The platters are so cute!
My mother often sent a package of carrot strips to share on a beach trip or day trip! I filled up on the carrots rather than chips, and felt healthy on my way home! Energized. Wild lambs quarters grew plentifully on our property! She sent us out with large grocery bags, and instructed us to " pick weeds", which she washed several times, cooked in salted boiling water and served on the side, seasoned with butter, salt and pepper! She would boil some in the morning and serve with poached eggs, salt, pepper, and butter! Great one pan dish!
My husband and I just stayed at a lovely little b&b in the PNW, and for breakfast they served simple fruit salad in a footed crystal dish like yours… it was so elegant and made us feel so fancy!! I’m keeping an eye out for them whenever I go thrifting
WOW!! I totally loved this video! My husbands co-workers always talk about the amazing lunches I pack for him. I'm going to order the paper to wrap the sandwiches. Wait till they see how I've stepped up his lunches!
I’ve noticed that stacking the meal in the center of the plate is very pleasing to the eye. So many people plop the rice and vegetable to the side of the meat so the whole plate is covered in thirds. But if you stack these with rice on the bottom, vegetable and meat on the center top, it’s immediately more appealing.
Love this! ❤ thank you for the excellent video showing what a little mindful care can do! One thing is, with all the extra stuff in the world... the thrift stores are FULL of beautiful glassware and dessert cups etc. So before committing to purchasing new, check a couple out and i'm certain you will find maybe not exactly but close to what you're looking for while being green and thrifty. I found my bunt pan, crystal tumblers, silver serving spoons, and dessert cups there when I started living a more formal life 6 months ago It's chic to be frugal too!
Yes Justine! There are often beautiful dishes at the thrift shop. I have found many of my beautiful dishes there. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t find anything on one visit. Stop by periodically and you will find treasures! Even brands like Spode, Dansk, Pfaltzgraff, etc.
Great tips! I find this especially useful from a frugal standpoint. Sometimes, when we're trying to save money on groceries, our meals can either look bland or repetitive, etc. Making the extra effort to make foods look appealing or exciting can elevate a very basic dish (like the soup you featured). God bless!
Dear Jennifer, this video brought me much joy. I haven't considered food presentation too much but I will be more intentional now. Your videos have helped me discipline myself to be more intentional about bringing more beauty in to my everyday life, thank you!
I'm glad you mentioned sectioned plates for the kids. I love them to make sure the kids are eating plenty of protein, grains and veggies. After they're done I can see what they ate and didn't eat and I can adjust at the next meal.
Hi Jennifer! I'm more of a silent viewer of your channel and I don't comment a lot. But I want to thank you for this video. It was very interesting and the tips for using the portioned plates for children are very good advice. I think I'll try that. And the other suggestions, too.
Wow! I loved this video, Jennifer. I took notes because I am going to implement some of the tips you shared. I live alone and I don't entertain anymore, but I'm worth it and I'll do it for me. Once my skills are finely honed, I may restart entertaining.
As always you had perfect timing. My oldest daughter is taking culinary classes, they aren't this far into it but if I can teach her this now when she's just starting, then she can make it a habit!
Enjoyable video! I have company coming for lunch and definitely try to make food more presentable. While I don't always give the same care to myself, I still do at times and find it is much more enjoyable!
I took Spanish, not French, so here goes trying to spell... Couer de Creme is a pretty molded cream cheese dessert that works as a heart shaped molded dessert. You do need a cheese cloth and a holey heart mold. Orange fan garnishes work for sweet potatoes and for carrots. I think I'm getting the concept!
Greetings Jennifer! Great video, as usual. I love these plating tips and plan to use them. I recently bought squeeze bottles for dispensing my homemade salad dressing. It was a game changer! 😊Please keep the great videos coming!
I loved this! You made everything look so appealing and appetizing. And it was great how you explained how we can with simple changes make a huge difference~
If you serve food in square glass containers like Pyrex snap ware, it’s much easier to clean up and looks more elegant than placing a plastic container of potato salad on the table.
So many good ideas for upscale presentation of meals! My Grandsons have told their mom how Nan's food is "prettier" than hers when she asks why they don't want to eat something new at home that they have enjoyed eating with me. Sometimes it's hard to have time, as a working mom, to take these extra steps, but I enjoy them.
My favorite shape for the crab tartare was the round shape, it looked like it could have been made in a restaurant. I agree, when I'm presented with a lot of food it can be overwhelming. This was a fun video ☺
This is a video to keep for inspiration. I use dessert cups, plates & ramekins. I have to get the cake molds, plastic baskets & wax paper. Wow Jennifer! Thank you for kicking it up a notch. So much fun!
I love white dishes for plating my food. Even my serving dishes are white. 😁 I will work on my rice presentation and will get the squeeze bottle. Love this. Thanks!!!
Hi Jennifer. Loved this video! I think presentation is important and can instantly elevate your meal. I sometimes have more fun plating the food than actually eating it! I think you mentioned you were taking on-line plating courses....it shows! Lovely plating. I also have an idea for a challenge for your followers to track their progess of elevating and living a more formal life. Much love, Linda
This was great, Jennifer! It shows a thoughtulness, which seems to be in everything you do. (more than once, I've served baked cod, cauliflower and potato! :D And then apologized for the white and boring dinner)
This was another elegant video. I learned something when you presented the sandwich segment, I will be taking your sandwich advise. One thing I learned is to never use a blue plate. There are not many blue foods in nature. That is why they use a blue plate for a blue plate special, people naturally ate less. If your dieting they tell you to put a blue light in the fridge, it makes the food look less appealing. People can use anything they like, its their choice but that's why I do not appreciate a blue plate. Thank you Jennifer for all the great tips.🌺
Fantastic video! I love these ideas. I cook almost all our meals, and I am mindful of presentation and do individually plate. But, I picked up some new ideas here! Ordering those footed dessert bowls to replace my glass custard bowls too!
Loved this....so many good ideas to 'elevate' your everyday cooking! I have been using little bits of red bell pepper in just about everything, including the fresh green beans I did for dinner this evening, to add color to the dish. I also use my better china (including my mothers' and great grandmothers (!) at most meals, even though it's just the two of us these days.....
This is so me!!! I love aesthetics in everything! Including food. And I’ve said this for years...a huge plate filled with food, no matter how delicious it looks, takes my appetite away. I actually feel ill when I see all that food slopped on a plate.
