Book excerpt: Plating--the art of presenting food on the plate--is brought to life for amateurs and pros alike, with spectacular photography and how-to's for creating a visual feast with exquisitely arranged dishes. Delicious food lives through presentation as much as taste, and creatively displaying food on a plate can turn a great dish into an artwork. In plating, a dish of food is transformed into a feast for the senses. Playing with contrasting textures, color hues, and aromas, this is a skillful culinary art that spans global cuisine. Story On A Plate introduces world renowned chefs and food stylists who guide you through the process of plating, step by step, from main dishes and appetizers to desserts. Story On A Plate opens up this gastronomic art form for both the amateur chef at home and the pro, and allows you to imaginatively and skilfully serve your own culinary creations.