Holiday Rental Essentials - Platters and Bowls

I've been watching a lot of Australian Masterchef lately (it is screened a few months behind in the UK). As I watched the contestants today in their rush to 'plate up' their dishes as the seconds ticked away, I couldn't help but wonder how I would cope with this aspect of the competition.

Nearly all the meals I make are 'help yourself' style - served on large platters or bowls. Or, if it is just a regular mid-week meal with my husband - served straight from the pot or dish that I have cooked it in. Partly, this is to save on time and partly because our kitchen is quite tiny and has no bench space. I dream of living in a house with a much bigger kitchen - perhaps then I will plate guest's meals individually.

The nice thing about serving from large platters and bowls though is that people can take what they want and leave things they might not like. I love sharing food and often prefer eating in this style at restaurants as well. On holiday I can never imagine taking the time to plate meals - so for this reason I am adding serving platters and bowls onto our list of holiday rental essentials.

From porcelain, through to enamel, stainless steel, slate, bamboo, glass or wood - the options are endless, but it is nice to have a selection of shapes and sizes.

How do you serve your cooking? Have you got any styling tricks or tips? Do you agree that platters and bowls should be on our list of holiday rental essentials?

AD

Images: 1, 2, 3