University of Oxford experimental psychology professor Charles Spence conducted a study to prove the power of visually appealing food. He took 30 men and 30 women and presented each one with three salads. 

The three dishes contained identical ingredients. However, one resembled a Wassily Kandinsky painting, the other had been “neatly” arranged, and the third was the run-of-the-mill tossed variant.

As predicted, most respondents picked the Kandinsky-style salad for its “complexity” and “artistic presentation.” The participants were also more willing to pay twice as much for these salads than the other two. 

Even with similar ingredients, the respondents rated the Kandinsky salad higher in “tastiness.” That says a lot about the effect of food presentation.

If you're looking for ways to elevate your food presentation, here are some simple tips from professionals. Restaurateur and culinary director Daniel England recommends cutting meat horizontally or “fanning.” 

England explains that it provides an enticing cross-section that works well for medium-rare steaks. He advises slicing at a 45-degree angle against the grain for aesthetic value and tenderness. 

Texture elevates an already tasty delicacy. It adds an extra layer that enhances the overall experience in every bite. San Francisco-based pastry chef Joyce Tang recommends playing around with foams and sauces. 

Adding textures is an easy, straightforward approach that adds a few levels of sophistication to a seemingly ordinary dish.

Many of the cakes on this list are bursting with color. The variety of hues is an instant attention-grabber. Fortunately, this is also easy to achieve, and here’s a simple idea from restaurant owner and chef Tanner Agar: 

“Items like carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, lettuces, beans, and more come in a variety of gorgeous colors. The difference a purple cauliflower puree makes on a plate is striking.”

Now, we’re shifting the attention to you, reader. Which of these photos stood out to you the most? Were they appetizing enough? Or perhaps they inspired you to take up baking? Share your thoughts in the comments!