Making creative serving platters

I love shock value! At least I do it from a healthy standpoint and not from a twisted one.I love when we have a party and people are amazed at what we served food in or on. My head is swimming right now with all the ideas to share with you. The reason it’s swimming is this is one area that is totally unlimited.

We had a party at the studio and wanted to do something other than a table with food on it. I had some stands welded together and then created a stone path around the stands. We picked up some throw away remnants of granite at one of the yards, cleaned and polished them up and created a spread that was so interactive!

At our Holiday party this year I used big round metal stands for wine glasses and hor d’ouerves, boards, stone platters, and birch logs with stone on top.

Over the years, I have grabbed the weirdest stuff and shined it up for the purpose of a platter. Don’t look at an object for its usual purpose when you are planning. A used a tire, laid flat, with a huge bowl in the middle that could be a great space for some chips at an informal summer party. An old horse trough could be lined, cleaned up and draped with greens to be used for beverages or even food. I once used a new (yes, brand new and clean) stainless garbage can lid and elevated it over the table to hold roasted chicken pieces for an outdoor party. Don’t be nervous about getting a bad reaction. After a couple of drinks and a look at what you’re serving, your guests will eat off of anything!

Rather than babble on, I am going to list below, and list, and list. I hope this inspires you to go play with your food!

• Old windows or doors are great for elevating off a table for food
• Hat boxes. These can be adorable at all different heights
• Cornucopias work great for holidays
• Baskets
• Cylinders
• Garden pots
• Clay pots. Used upright and on their side are perfect for crackers and dip. Paint the outside of them for even more interest.
• Chalkboards
• Artwork with glass on top of it. Don’t use this idea with anything watery or you can lose the art.
• Framed mirrors are gorgeous for chocolate covered strawberries. Plus you can write on the mirror with a glass marker!
• Trays, splices, boxes…wood is good.
• Tubs
• Sinks
• Granite remnants
• Food holding food. Eggplants for dips, red cabbage with the center dug out, etc.
• An old iron fence can be beautiful covered in greens and trays.
• A live person (cover their “parts”)
• A wheelbarrow
• Grass