Catering Supplies - Plates have long been used for serving food at special events. Even
ancient civilizations displayed, served and ate their food from a
variety of plate styles. Whether it was wood or some other type of
ceramic, the plate was more than just functional - it had to do with the
display. Plates were as much an art form from artisans, and many
families prided themselves on displaying food on high quality,
attractive plates. To this day, catering companies still rely on
quality plats and china to show off their style at events.
With all the variations in culture around the world, there's no
shortage on imaginative plate design. While we're used to seeing
rounded, white dinner plates there are uncountable variations in color,
shape, design, material and more. Here are some of the more common
types of plates used around the world in catering and how well they hold
their heat.
Paper Plates - You wouldn't normally expect to see paper plates at
catering events but some clients will actually request it in the
interest of saving money. While they do have their place at the dinner
table and less formal events, they don't hold heat well at all. Paper
simply does not conduct heat well enough to keep food warm but it is a
convenient way to make sure there are enough dishes for everyone.
Plastic Plates - Plastic plates don't always look like plastic
plates. The giveaway is usually in the weight of the plate. The
manufacturing process and the customizable nature of plastics make it
easy to create plastic plates that mimic more expensive dish designs.
Because plastic can be easily colored, plastic plates can be found for
virtually any event or theme. The downside is that plastic plates don't
retain heat and getting plastic too hot can result in warping or
melting of the material.
Stone Plates - Stone plates are far less common, often due to the
expense. Unless properly finished they also pose a problem with
sanitation which makes them scarce in the catering industry. Given the
weight and how fragile stone is, they're far too easy to break and
difficult to transport. On the upside, stone plates can hold heat
fairly well so they can make for effective serving platters depending on
your service.
Ceramic Plates - Ceramic plates are by far the most popular. Quality
ceramic plates are sturdy, attractive, clean easily and can hold heat
for long periods. Some dinner plates fashioned from ceramics can hold
heat for as long as 30 minutes. Ceramic dishes that are prewarmed
before serving food can help keep food hot through the entire meal.
Wood Plates - Wood plates are great options for themed catering events
where a certain feel is desired, like old world, rustic or Asian
themes. Wood can be cleaned easily but unless the finish is maintained
they may stain with certain types of foods or colors/dyes. Wood plates
also don't retain heat very well and can leave food cold after only a
short period of time.
Laminate - There are various types of plates on the market that use
resin or laminated tempered glass like Corelle dishes. While the
multiple layers of laminate can make the plate lighter while remaining
durable, any type of tempered glass is weakened by temperature
fluctuations and they perform poorly in heat retention.
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and discover how quality can help transform your catering business.
