It may be a sad thing, but I don’t serve. Scoop and go from the stove is fine with me. I admire chefs that make everything look just wonderful.  Look at those dishes above.  I’m lucky to get it in a dish.

Heat the serving dishes!

With few exceptions food should be hot. If you put those wonderful vegetables in a cold dish you will get mediocre results.

Chill the salad plates!

If you’re serving a salad it is a good idea to put the salad dishes in the refrigerator before use.

Heat the plates!

Unless you’re serving just a salad then you need hot plates. The wait staff’s standard mantra is “Be careful the plate if very hot!” That’s exactly what you want. In case it needs to be said, this DOES NOT APPLY TO KIDS!