Food Art

Making The Attractive Presentation

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

Are you looking to have that perfect dinner party? Or, do you feel the need to "spice up" your next buffet presentation? If you've been in the local Furr's Cafeteria lately, you've seen the festive "food art" presentations that enlighten the buffet and make for an attractive presentation of food.

 

 

We went "behind the scenes" and met Crysel Haria, a 2008 Sulphur Springs High School graduate, who is responsible for the beautiful food displays at Furr's. Crysel, a student at PJC and anticipating furthering her education at Texas A&M University-Commerce, shared her techniques and told us about how she arranged the attractive displays.

"I attended a workshop in Garland, under the tutelage of another food designer and learned how to make the various shapes, flowers, and food presentations," allowed Crysel. "It's interesting to learn the many, many shapes that you can make from ordinary fruits and vegetables, to make them more attractive!"

 

 

Crysel told of how to take colored bell peppers and using a utility knife cutting them in half, making serrated cuts to produce two flowers. Each half makes the flower and the serrated edges form the petals. A bamboo skewer, covered with the blade portion of a green onion makes the perfect stem, and can be easily skewered into a pineapple for an attractive display.

 

 

Meanwhile, lemons can be done likewise, and an onion can be cut and colored with food coloring to make another flower design, that is equally attractive.

 

 

"One of my favorite items is the creation of an 'apple swan' for a fruit display," allowed Crysel. "You cut the apple so that you have two pieces, one of them one-third of the piece of fruit, and the other 2/3rds of it. Using the smaller piece, and dipping it in citrus juice or Sprite (to keep it from discoloring), you fashion the head and neck of the swan. Taking the larger piece, you cut diamond shapes on the top portion to form the tail and do likewise on the sides to form the wings. Using toothpicks you secure the pieces and attach the wings, tail, and head to form the beautifully designed swan!"

 

 

 

"It's interesting to try new things and just to see what you can create with common foods," stated Crysel. "And, it's great to be complimented on the designs that you craft!"

So, the next time you plan that dinner party, graduation party, or special event, get out the knife, kitchen shears, and try your luck at creating a beautiful display to add to festive occasion. And, you'll be receiving compliments on your creations!

 

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