Lets Dish it Out

Tip 1: Selecting colors

Serving platters are one of the important elements of hosting a party followed by food of course. They are the pedestal stand for the food. If you are someone who likes to host parties and gatherings frequently, then pick a three-color scheme and stick to it whenever purchasing dishes. For example, all of my serving platters are in white, blue and silver/glass. Whenever I am shopping I try to buy things in these colors. Doing this, will keep you organized and you will not end up with tons of mismatched dishes when setting a table. You want the stick to a theme so the tablescape is pleasing to the eye. You can also mix and match dishes so you have more configurations with less dishes. If you are someone who hosts a party once in a blue moon or has limited storage space then you would want to keep your collection small by selecting just one color. You can pick any color your heart desires, but I recommend neutral color scheme such as creams, whites, and beiges. The neutral category is classy and highlights the food that is on the platter. It also complements most themes. If you are someone who likes a colorful tablescape then you can bring in all the beautiful colors through food, floral arrangements, vases, napkins, and other décor pieces. Having neutral platters allows you to create a cohesive layout because it can easily fit within any theme.

Tip 2: Convenience is Key

The next thing to look for when purchasing dishes is to check if they are microwave, conventional oven, and dishwasher safe. Sometimes the guests are running late or some dishes are best served hot so you can always heat/reheat using the microwave oven. Conventional oven dishes are great to bake in or to place in the oven to keep warm. Conventional oven safe dishes prevent you from juggling the food from bakeware to serving dishes, especially in front of your guest. It is so much easier to pull the dish out of the oven and take it straight to the table while maintaining presentation. Therefore, when it comes to conventional safe dishes you can prepare and serve in the same platter.Some bakeware comes with a lid. Dishes with lids are travel friendly, you can easily bring them to potlucks and picnics. In some cases lids are great for storing leftover in the same dish you served in. Meaning fewer dishes to do after a splendid party.

After all the cooking and entertainment comes the part we all dread, cleaning. This is when popping dirty dishes in the dishwasher can be a lifesaver. However, I do not recommend doing that yet you want to have that option. I am someone who uses the dishwasher on a regular bases excluding serving platters. Over the years I have learned that putting serving platters in the dishwasher multiple times can fade their color, especially if they have a print or a design on them. Washing is not a big problem if you are using whites and glass dishware. However, to keep them looking “new” it is important to take care of them. I recommend washing them by hand however, it is nice to be able to put them in the dishwasher if you are too tired or simply don’t have the time to wash by hands. And of course washing them in the dishwasher once or twice is not going to damage your dishes.

I hope you find these tips helpful in selecting serving dishes. All the best!

Blue and white casual buffet style