The importance of food styling for your business
Discover the art and technique of food styling
Food styling is more than just arranging a burger on a plate, it's about using the right tools, techniques, and design concepts to create an appealing presentation. This art is a key element for a successful food business, that elevates the visual appeal of dishes, which is important in the digital age.
Dive into this article to learn how to elevate your food photography and make your dishes irresistible, potentially boosting client interest and sales. Stand by for tips and insights that will transform your food presentation.
Why is food styling important?
Food styling holds a central role in today's food and beverage industry. Its significance lies in its ability to shape the visual narrative around a culinary offering, essentially bridging the gap between the plate and the consumer's mind. Visual appeal is a powerful tool in influencing consumer choices, and this is where food styling shines.
In a world where consumers eat with their eyes first, food styling ensures that dishes are not only appetizing but also photogenic. This is paramount in the digital age, where online platforms amplify the reach of visually compelling food imagery.
Food styling is also a powerful branding tool. It helps businesses create a distinctive aesthetic that sets them apart from competitors. This unique visual identity can be instrumental in fostering customer loyalty and driving repeat business.
Moreover, through thoughtful and deliberate presentation, food styling can elevate the perceived value of a dish, potentially justifying a higher price point and increasing profit margins.
Food styling isn't just about creating pretty plates; it's a strategic business tool that can significantly impact a restaurant or food business's bottom line.
How can you increase your sales with food styling ?
The key to increasing your sales with food styling lies in understanding your target audience and adapting your presentation to their tastes. Visual storytelling is a powerful tool and through food styling, you can narrate a compelling story about your dishes that resonates with your customers.
Remember, each dish is a potential promotional asset. To leverage this, work closely with photographers to create stunning food presentations that can be shared on various platforms, especially social media. This not only increases your visibility but also attracts potential customers.
Consider the following:
- Develop culinary skills: Understanding culinary techniques can help in styling food in a more appealing manner.
- Branding: Create a distinctive style that becomes synonymous with your brand. Consistency in style across all your dishes can strengthen your brand identity.
- Highlight the fresh ingredients: Emphasising on the freshness of your ingredients can increase the perceived value of your dishes.
- Promotions: Stylish food presentations can be used in promotional campaigns, enticing customers with attractive visuals.
Experiment with different techniques and tools, continually refining your food styling skills. Stay updated with the latest trends and continuously evolve your style, keeping it fresh and exciting. This will not only attract new customers but also retain your existing ones, thereby increasing your sales.
The role of color and texture in food styling
The role of color and texture in food styling is crucial, as they significantly enhance the visual appeal of a dish. The color of the food can impact how appetizing it looks. For instance, bright, vibrant colors tend to make a dish look fresher and more enticing.
Consider the color wheel: when choosing your food components. Harmonious color schemes can create an aesthetically pleasing plate, while contrasting colors can make key ingredients stand out.
Texture adds depth: Incorporating a variety of textures, such as crunchy, creamy, or fluffy, can make a dish look more interesting and inviting. For example, a smooth, creamy sauce can be contrasted with crunchy, toasted nuts, or a fluffy, soft cake can be paired with a crisp, caramelized topping. Experiment with different textures to bring your dishes to life.
Ultimately, the interplay of color and texture in food styling can turn a dish into a feast for the eyes, making it more likely to catch a customer's attention and stimulate their appetite.
Consumers preferences: New colors, textures and flavors capture people's attention still, the naturaleness of food remain a selection criteria and affects consumers' choices. In today's eco-conscious era, sustainable and natural eye-catching colors are influential1.
To make their food choices, 83% of consumers prioritize flavor as a criteria whereas 53% select color and 54% select texture2. But food appearance is becoming as important as taste; "59% of consumers agree that food that looks good for the eyes is tasty"3.
Food and style: Tips and tricks for effective food styling
To make your food styling effective, consider these handy tips and tricks:
- Play with proportions: Instead of using big items, bulky plates, opt for smaller ones to make the food stand out. Similarly, use smaller bowls to make the dish look fuller and more appealing.
- Pay attention to details: Every element on the plate should serve a purpose. Remove any unwanted bits using a toothpick to achieve a polished look.
- Experiment with angles: Don't limit yourself to traditional angles when you take pictures. Try shooting straight on from the front, directly above (flat lay), or at a 45-degree angle.
- Practice makes perfect: Food styling is an art which requires practice. So, experiment with different techniques, even on a simple piece of toast, before moving on to more complex dishes.
- Keep it fresh: Always have spare ingredients on hand, as food tends to dry out or lose its appeal quickly during a photo shoot. Have a plan to keep your food looking fresh and vibrant.
Remember, the goal is to make the food look as delicious and appealing as possible!
Here's an example of a photo without styling
Photo with styling according to the tips
Our expert tips from Chef Lucas about food styling
To make your dishes more beautiful and attractive, our Chef Lucas recommends using apricot jelly on a tart to give a shiny, appetizing appearance. According to him, using layers of topping or sauces can also improve the appearance of your desserts and pastries. Other tips include using small paint brushes to apply touches of sauce or cream, and always keeping fresh ingredients on hand for last-minute adjustments. This attention to detail can transform a simple dish into a food styling dish.
Trends to follow: how to get into food styling?
Knowing that bakery products are versatile and can be highly customized, what are the trends to follow to embellish your bakery item?
Bread: consumers are attracted to sandwiches topped with seeds and grains like chia, wholegrain, oats and other seed mixes noting that they are also better-for-you products and considered premium. They give a feeling of wellness and mindfulness.
Cakes & pastries: apart from their indulging virtue , cakes and pastries decorated with colorful toppings influence consumer choices . Chocolate chips and red fruits remain top toppings and flavors preferred by consumers. Other fruit and nuts toppings are still emerging such as pistachio, pear, banana, coconut, mango, orange, passion fruit, peanut butter, cashew, pecan and nuts. New to the picture, herbs and florals are novel toppings that are being seen in new launches such as lavender, mint, peppermint and rose water4.
The importance of food styling in social media
Knowing that bakery products are versatile and can be highly customized, what are the trends to follow to embellish your bakery item?
Food styling on social media has seen a significant rise in importance. The digital era has made visual appeal a critical factor in food promotion. A well-styled dish on Instagram or Facebook can instantly generate engagement and attract potential customers. Social media platforms are ideal for showcasing your culinary creations, with the ability to reach a wide audience instantly.
Moreover, food influencers and bloggers are always on the lookout for visually appealing dishes to feature, which can significantly boost your brand's visibility. So, it's essential to master the art of food styling for successful social media marketing.
1 Exberry, (2024): Regeneration Rising: eco-awareness & Nature-inspired colors trend
2 FMCG gurus, (2022): Flavor, color & texture: new flavors are sparking consumer interest
3 Puratos, (2023): Improve the quality perception of your baked good, add glaze
4 Mintel, 2024 & social listeing x Ipsos synthesio social listening