“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” – Virginia Woolf
To eat well doesn’t only refer to delicious food. It’s about enjoying a meal that’s as appealing to the eyes as it is to the stomach. Since, I am a party junkie, I often throw dinners for my friends and family, be it a no-reason weekend barbecue or some special occasion such as my birthday. And I always try to present the food in the most appealing way possible, from the way the food is arranged to my DIY food decorations and the right serving tray. Believe it or not, there is more to a serving tray than just being another kitchen tool.
As you may have guessed, I own plenty. A whole collection, I’d say. Still, whenever I stubble upon an interesting piece, I immediately buy it. Of course, it’s not just about the way the tray looks. Knowing the type of the event, the food and beverages you’re going to serve and the number of guests, will help you make the right pick. Stainless steel and melamine plates are most commonly used as they are elegant and sturdy and suitable for almost any occasion. Moreover, they are easy to clean.
If you’re more into natural materials though, such as wood, go for mahogany wooden serving trays. Just make sure you go for one with a lacquer finish since wood easily absorbs liquids and can get stained. And if you often have your girlfriends over for a cup of coffee on the porch, you should get a rattan tray which is perfect for both indoor and outdoor serving, since rattan is strong and really durable material.
If your personal taste is simple and minimalistic design, serving trays without handles may be more to your liking. However, you may find the ones with handles and raised sides more practical especially for carrying drinks and food.
Apart from being every host’s life saver, a serving tray can also be used as decorative item to display your most beautiful belongings and souvenirs from your vacation travels or quick getaways. For example, I used one of my trays to give my living room a French touch. A tray, the small Eiffel Tower statue I got from my trip to Paris and the lavender scented candle I bought in Provence (ah, memories…) – instant décor update.
Beside using serving trays in your interior décor, you can also use them as organising stations throughout the house. For example, if you have a vintage, deep edged tray, you can mount it on your wall as a shelf where you can store your crafting material. Or you can use one in your bathroom for storing all of your hair essentials and makeup.
As you can see, serving trays have more than one purpose. So, tune into your creative mood and choose the most you way to present your food.