Catering Equipment - Charger Plates

Catering Equipment - Charger plates serve as decoration for more former dinners and romantic dinner parties, however they can also be used in catering events where guests are served at the table as opposed to along a buffet line.  The charger plate is intended to rest under the dinner plate and serves multiple purposes.  For the most part, they're used in restaurants that want to add some measure of decorative flare to an otherwise empty and bland eating environment.

Appearance of Charger Plates - There's no specific design or method for producing charger plates.  They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles to not only accommodate the dishes that will be used in the service but all to improve the look.  In many cases, the charger plate is a deeper plate to account for smaller plates and bowls that will be placed within it during the course of the dinner.  Depending on the design, the edges or the end of the dish may be exaggerated in order to make the charger dish more noticeable.

Decoration of Charger Plates - With the purpose of a charger plate being decoration, it's important for there to be a variety.  Not only are there numerous color choices but restaurant owners can pick from a variety of designs that include rings around the edges, various materials that cause internal design features (like flecks of gold or silver, marbling, etc.)  If an event requires simplicity, there are also simple white charger plates - making it easy to find a design for every event.

Function of Charger Plates - Typically the charger plate serves no other function than to remain decorative; however, in some circles it's considered proper etiquette to bring hot food and hot soups on a charger plate, and leave the charger plate until the guest is finishes with their meal.  This is so the guest does not burn their hands on a plate or bowl that could be potentially quite hot.

That decorative function can go a long way at the table though, so don't discount their use in a catering event.  One of the best uses for a charger plate is to pull together the color scheme.  While many services limit that to a center piece, you can use charger plates to add the same colorful flare to each individual setting.  Neutral dinner ware and other table settings can allow you to move away from a centerpiece and make each place setting the focus of the table.

Charger Plate Materials - Charger plates can be fashioned from just about any material that can be made attractive.  Formal environments use earthenware pottery or fine china, gold-plate, copper, pewter and in some circles wood can be quite popular (mahogany, bamboo, wicker, etc.).  It's important to note that guests should never eat directly from charger plates as many are unfinished can be damaged by foods.  Likewise, some materials aren't safe to eat from and because of their unfinished nature, additives and unsafe materials could leech into the food.

Catering isn't just about the food; it's about the catering equipment as well.  Present the best display for every event right down to the drink dispenser and coffee urn.  How?  Contact CateringEquipment.com and discover how premium catering equipment can transform your business.