MEALMEAL APPEALAPPEALHow to create attractive meals

Party SceneParty Scene

Your best friend’s birthday is coming up this weekend and you want to make it special by throwing a great party with

all your friends.

What are some arrangements you need to make?

Party SceneParty Scene

You need FOOD!!!

Party SceneParty Scene

So how do you plan a dinner party for all your friends?

Let’s start with the different parts of a meal…

Parts of a mealParts of a meal

There are 3 parts to a meal:

1. Appetizer2. Entrée3. Dessert

Parts of a MealParts of a Meal

1. Appetizers- Finger foods- A “snack” before

the main dish- Keep people

entertained while the entrée is being prepared

AppetizersAppetizers

For informal or larger parties, you may choose to serve only appetizers with dessert later on.

WHY?This cuts down your work and cost$$

A party like this sets a “mingling” tone where guests can move around and talk to each other while helping themselves to various food.

So remember…So remember…

Have a wide variety of appetizers Make them accessible to all guests

AppetizersAppetizers

For formal dinner parties you would serve each part of the meal separately with everyone seated preferably at one table.

What are some other appetizers you can suggest for your guests?

What kind of drinks would you serve?

Parts of a MealParts of a Meal

2. Entrée- The main course- When preparing an entrée you need

to think MEAL APPEAL!!

Meal appeal = the characteristics that make a meal appetizing and enjoyable.

EntréeEntrée

There are 5 characteristics of meal appeal:

1 – Colour2 – Shape & size3 – Flavour & aroma4 – Texture5 – Temperature

Colour and ShapeColour and Shape

Think of your meal as a picture (food) in a frame (plate).

Restaurants pay special attention to meal appeal and how food is presented.

Colour and ShapeColour and Shape

Food as ArtFood as Art

Food photographers have to consider the colour, shape, size and texture when planning each shot.

EntréeEntrée

What kind of appeal do these entrées offer?

Identify the garnish in each

BEWARE!!BEWARE!!

Although some foods may look appetizing, they may not be good for you!

Consider nutritional value for a healthy diet.

Flavour & AromaFlavour & Aroma

Avoid combining foods of similar flavour or aroma in one dish.

This rule also applies to colour

E.g. Mixing strong flavours together is not a good idea because they clash

Clash = look too alike

Flavour & AromaFlavour & Aroma

Give some examples of clashing flavours:

- Spicy chili with garlic bread- Egg salad sandwich with potato salad

How would you fix these meals?

Flavour & AromaFlavour & Aroma

Mix it up!Serve spicy food with bland items

Bland = plain;mild in flavour

Spices vs. herbsSpices vs. herbs

What’s the difference?

Spices = very strong flavour; dried out; derived from plants; multi-coloured; can grind it; examples include chili seeds, black pepper, turmeric, garlic powder.

Herbs = flavourful leaves and stems of soft plants such as basil, oregano, rosemary and sage. They’re all green!

Condiment?Condiment?

So then what’s a condiment?

Condiment = a seasoning for food that’s not a spice or herb such as ketchup, mustard, relish, sauerkraut, mayonnaise, bacon bits etc.

TextureTexture

Your meal should have a variety of textures

Texture = how it feels when you chew e.g. hard, chewy, crispy, soft etc.

TemperatureTemperature

Serve hot foods on cold days.i.e. soup in the winter

Separate cold and hot foods by putting them on different plates so they can retain their temperature and texture.

i.e. chicken and mashed potatoes with side salad in a bowl

DessertDessert

3. Dessert- everyone’s favorite indulgence!

Serve with coffee, tea or dessert wine.

DessertDessert

You should know about any peanut allergies among your guests.

The End…The End…

Developed by: Isabel Marques-Kontos

Course: HFN 100/200Food and Nutrition

Last Updated: March 2005

ResourcesResources

Food for Today (text)McGraw-Hill & Ryerson – First Canadian Edition

Food Photographyhttp://www.virtual-productions.net/vp-food.html

Rosy’s Japan Journalhttp://www.sundark.com/nikki/photos/osaka6-9-03/food.jpg

Food Gallery http://css.ait.iastate.edu/Int/GoLive/Boxes/Data/veggi.jpghttp://css.ait.iastate.edu/Int/GoLive/Boxes/Data/fastfood.jpg

Still Images/Raul Rubeira Photographyhttp://www.geocities.com/rrubiera/food.JPG

Lost in the Stacks: the Adventures and Misadventures of Jess Webbwww.lostinthestacks.com/index/2003/07/

Bali Hai Cruiseshttp://www.balihaicruises.com/sunset-cruise.html

DIAC Conference in Seattlehttp://www.neiu.edu/~ncaftori/gif/food.jpg

Kate Kline May Photographyhttp://www.kateklinemay.com/food1.html