The Art of the Plate

To me, every plate is an opportunity. An opportunity to share, inspire and present in a way that is humbly respectful of the lands and waters around us, yet seen in a completely new way. In its raw form, food is gorgeous. From that inspiration, I aim to reflect it in every finished meal I present. I plate to tell a story about the season. When you taste a dish from our kitchen, there should be a note of something familiar and a note of something unexpected. And I believe it’s this balance that makes a plate beautiful. – Joseph Lenn, Executive Chef of the Barn

1. Depending on what I plate, I visualize parameters and the lines to plate within. Sometimes we visualize straight lines, however the plate is round.

2. Keep it simple

3. What is the purpose? Just because it might make a plate look better, it doesn't make the dish taste better.

4. If a sauce is loose like a broth, either pour it table side or use a bowl instead of a plate

5. Heat plates that hot food is going to be served on.