Plating Sequence

Plating sequence refers to the order in which the components of a dessert are put on a plate and applies to pre-desserts as well as plated desserts. The order is determined by the lifespan of each component; in other words, what can hold the longest at its peak condition will go onto the plate first, and you will continue to place items on the plate in descending order of longevity. The last item you plate is often the most fragile and time-sensitive/temperature-sensitive component. Often this will be a frozen component, but not always; it could also be a soufflé. Alternatively, there could be a garnish that goes on top of the frozen component, in which case the garnish will not technically be the last item to go on the plate. You will have to make use of your common sense. Oftentimes you will have two or more components with a similar lifespan, in which case it doesn’t matter in which order they are plated.