Balance

A plate arrangement may consist of the following components: main item, accompaniments or side dishes, sauce or sauces, and other garnish. The main item is almost always present. The others may or may not be included. (See Garnish sidebar for more on the meaning of the term.)

In a good plate arrangement, all these components are in balance. Balance is a term we used when talking about menu planning in Chapter 4. The rules of good menu balance also apply to plating. Select foods and garnishes that offer variety and contrast while avoiding combinations that are awkward or jarring.