You don’t need to be a “plating up professional” to serve your food in style. Here are some of our favourite food presentation tips and tricks which are oh so simple; you will be out of the kitchen and enjoying the party in no time!

• Serve olives in small bowls and top with a garnish of chilli, fried sage leaves or bay leaves for extra pizzazz.
• Cut cucumber into ribbons for a fresh and stunning addition to an antipasto platter.
• Create individual antipasto or cheese platters for your guests as a personal touch.
• Wrap each grissini stick with a thin slice of prosciutto and serve as part of an antipasto platter.
• Chop feta into small cubes and serve in a small bowl. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and garnish with oregano leaves and a few black peppercorns.
• Serve each guest a range of condiments in their own bowls to accompany Asian stir fries or curries. For example serve each guest a bowl filled with a little tamarind sauce, half a birds eye chilli, fresh Thai basil, mint or coriander leaves – whatever condiments will best compliment the dish. Guests can add a little or a lot to suit their tastebuds.
• Present dips in small bowls and the accompanying grissini in glass tumblers.
• Serve a selection of antipasto delights such as semi dried tomatoes, mixed olives and marinated pepper strips on 3 tiered platter/cake stand which will add a decorative element and also help you save table space.
• When entertaining with children present serve stylish food that will satisfy all ages such as mini gourmet burgers, wedges or chips in paper cones or mini ham, cheese and tomato toasted sandwiches with tomato relish.
• Serve salad in individual bowls for guests. Provide each guest with their own small bowl or bottle of dressing so they can add as they please.
• Mix and match different sized and different shaped bowls atop platters to add interest.