Ideas for Dessert Table Plating and Presentation

Dessert Tables are beautifully decorated tables filled with desserts neatly plated and arranged in a pleasing manner following a theme. Much like a dessert counter on a buffet line. They have gained fame as instagramable dainty desserts for hi-tea in hotels. These small bite-sized and exquisitely decorated desserts are traditionally known as petit four, French for “small oven”. The following are 3 examples of themes and ideas that can be used for dessert table presentation.

Dessert Tables : Presentation Ideas for Different Events

Be it traditional, fantasy, or elegant, when designing a dessert table, there are 3 areas of consideration :

• Table Decorations – I leave this to the venue and decorators, as long as there is a table and tablecloth with skirting if needed. It should blend with overall deco of the venue theme.
• Tableware and Crockeries – divided into
  • white chinaware – the standard which is good for bringing out colours of food.
  • wood-based – for the natural theme such as rustic and boho theme
  • glass and mirrors – high-end events
• The Desserts – the design and customisation are unique to each event. Depending on seasonal produce, new products to try in the market, and customising them following theme colours of the event. Keeping the look updated and new, showing creativity and industry innovations is a plus.

Wedding Trends

Celebrating love through artistry and beauty is the theme for weddings. Sometimes it is for a pre-dinner reception and other times, arranged together with the wedding cake, forming the centerpiece of the wedding area. Examples of themes could be colour themes, trending or seasonal themes, traditional themes, unique one-of-a-kind themes, and personalized couple-story themes. Included in this category are Anniversaries as well.

Plating and Presentation using White Chinaware is the most common. It is good for showcasing delicate desserts with their colours and textures without crowding and overpowering with background designs.

An example of desserts on a oriental themed decotated table in blue. White chinaware is most suitable. If in doubt, use white.

Corporate Events

In corporate or company events such as annual dinners, achievement celebrations or employee recognitions, a stand alone counter complete with either a customised cake, chocolate or pastillage structure with company logo as a centrepiece is much sought after as they represents status of the event, generosity of the organisation and motivation towards future goals.

Plating and Presentation using Mirrors creates a reflection, adds shine and gives a high-end look to desserts. A placement tip for using mirrors, each piece of dessert should not touch each other to create a space for reflection. Dessert table ideas and presentation for corporate is not limited to this. Much depends on how formal or informal clients want them to be,

An example of mirror effect.

Birthday Ideas

From 1 to 99, or more. Milestone birthdays are 1st Birthday, 21st, and all the ones ending with 0 behind ie, 30th, 40th, 50th, etc. These are celebratated in a bigger manner, therefore needing a dessert table to go with the birthday cake. Themes for birthdays are wider than weddings and corporate because of the wide age categories. For example, themes for children’s birthday parties changes according to what cartoon is popular at that time. It requires much research and new creations of dessert table items and overall presentation. An example is this Miffy Themed Birthday for 1-year-old Zee Ann.

Plating and Presentation using Wood-based stands are informal and relaxed. A favourite for outdoor weddings and also birthday parties.

Outdoor event using wood presentation with dry ice to keep desserts cool. 5kg of dry ice was used, lasting 2.5 hours.

Conclusion

Just as a restaurant chooses their tableware to present their food, dessert table plating and presentation follows the same thought process. Besides being able to bring out the beauty of Chef’s creation, it plays an important role in matching the overall presentation of desserts to the theme of the event and venue.