Food Styling 101

I love when I get to host a dinner party or gathering. Putting smiles on people's faces makes it all worth it, but I find a lot of fun in decorating the space and styling the food. Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner, this is your chance to wow your guests with something fabulous.

A thing to remember when you are serving food of any kind — it's all in the presentation. If you just throw stuff in a bowl and lay it out, it will look that way. It's nice to show you care and want everything to be special for your guests. So why not jazz it up a bit and really put on a show?

on Sunrise Highway carries a lot of really cute decorative items. It can’t hurt to look around and pick up a few extra items for your Thanksgiving table.

Always use the nicest serving ware you have. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just make sure you choose items that make sense and really show off the food. For example, if you made Grandma’s famous cookie recipe, present them on a vintage plate for that nostalgic feel. Table settings and linens play a part as well. Think of these as the backdrop. You want the food to shine, not disappear.

Visit the on Sunrise Highway to check out their linen collection.

Everything you serve should look good. Lay veggies in a row on a serving platter or nicely in a bowl with decorative detail. Step up a main dish by framing your turkey with herbs and veggies. If you don’t cook turkey, then get creative and use the harvest theme to bring life to your main course.

In terms of baked goods, pretty is what you should always shoot for. No one wants to eat food that reminds them of something gross. The nicer your desserts look, the more people will eat them. Take note of colors and textures and keep within a certain theme. Being that it's Thanksgiving, incorporating greenery, leaves and plants will surely be successful.

For cupcakes and cookies, try placing some little flowers in a bud vase and place in center of decorative cake stand. Set each baked good around it and you have a sweet looking and tasting centerpiece. 

Stop by the on N. Village Avenue or the Mormile Florist on N. Long Beach Road to pick up flowers that are in season. You might even get some inspiration while you are there.

Remember, you don't have to go crazy. Use these easy tips to make your holiday even more outstanding! Simple always comes out of top, but just a few little additions and your table will be beautiful and picture perfect!