Let’s be real, if the plate doesn’t grab you before you even lift the fork, we’ve already lost half the battle. Food is theatre. It’s seduction. It’s that moment before the first bite where the guest is already thinking “ohhh sh*t… this is gonna be good.” Plating isn’t about pretty swirls, tweezer-dancing micro herbs, and trying to look like you watched one too many Michelin documentaries. It’s about attitude. It’s about discipline and intention. It’s flavour that looks as bold as it tastes, and yes, it’s a flex. If you want to plate like you're not playing around, start here: 1️⃣ Clean Plates Only We’re adults. We’re chefs. We don’t serve fingerprints and accidental “artistic splashes.” Messy rims and random sauce dots? That’s called losing control, and you can taste a lack of discipline. Your plate is your stage. Keep it sharp, clean, deliberate. If it looks like chaos, they assume the kitchen is chaos too. Control the chaos, or don’t serve it. 2️⃣ Build Height. Build Drama. Flat food = flat story. This isn’t nursery tea, it's a show. Lean that protein, layer that veg, balance elements so they stand proudly, not slump like a hangover breakfast. Every plate needs a hero moment, something that visually leads the dish. If your food looks like it’s posing because it knows it’s sexy? Yeah. That’s the vibe. 3️⃣ Space Is Sexy Listen… packing a plate like it’s a suitcase for a budget airline is not hospitality, it’s insecurity. Negative space says: “I know what I’m doing.” “I don’t need to drown you in garnish to impress you.” Space is breathing room. Space is confidence. Space tells the eye where to go, and the guest what to expect. More white plate = more swagger. 4️⃣ Colour With Intent Colour is emotion, but only if it belongs there. Stop dropping random herbs like you're seasoning TikTok content. Garnish isn't glitter. Every colour needs a purpose: flavour texture contrast aroma attitude If it doesn’t bring something to the party? It stays in the fridge.

I uploaded this a while back, but it’s still one of my favourite fun-food ideas for the kids, the mash potato + turkey dinosaur volcano! 🌋🦕 Total Jurassic Park vibes in the kitchen 😂 Such a simple mid-week meal, but adding that little bit of drama turns it into an EPIC treat. The kids absolutely loved watching the “lava” gravy flow down the mash mountain! If you’re ever looking to spice up a basic dinner with something playful, highly recommend giving this a go. Fun, quick, and guaranteed giggles at the table ❤️ Let me know if you try it! 🌋🦖👨‍🍳

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Sometimes the simplest dishes are the ones that truly impress. Crispy toasted bread, silky burrata, sweet heritage tomatoes, basil, red onion, and a swirl of balsamic reduction. What takes it to the next level? A base of homemade confit tomato pesto, rich, garlicky, and bursting with flavour. Super easy, super fresh, and absolutely full of character. The perfect elegant starter for a dinner party with friends or family. Minimal effort, maximum “wow factor.” By Chef Stefan 🛒 Ingredients • Crusty bread (toasted) • Burrata • Heritage tomatoes (sliced) • Cherry Tomatoes (for confit) • Red onion (thinly sliced) • Basil leaves • Pine nuts • Olive oil • Balsamic reduction • Sea salt & cracked pepper 👨‍🍳 Method 1️⃣ Toast bread lightly in olive oil 2️⃣ Spread confit tomato pesto generously 3️⃣ Tear and add the burrata 4️⃣ Layer heritage tomato slices on top 5️⃣ Add thin slices of red onion 6️⃣ Season with sea salt & black pepper 7️⃣ Garnish with basil + balsamic reduction Serve immediately and watch the smiles appear ✨

I’ve been cooking for years — from private dinners and events to busy kitchens, and there’s nothing better than seeing someone’s face light up when they take that first bite. That moment of pure happiness is what it’s all about for me. Last year I lost someone very close to me, someone who always told me, “You need to do what you love, because life’s too short not to.” The biggest smiles I ever saw on her face were when I cooked for her, and that feeling changed everything for me. So, I left corporate life behind, jumped headfirst into kitchens, learned from some amazing chefs, and turned my passion into a full-time career. Now I run Cooking Skool with Chef Stefan, helping people create beautiful, restaurant-quality dishes at home for the people they love, because food should be about moments, not just meals. And I still bring that same passion to homes across the UK as a private chef through Yhangry, creating unforgettable dining experiences for my clients. ❤️‍🔥 Life’s too short not to cook with love — and have fun doing it. Chef Stefan 👨‍🍳