Serving baskets

A serving of fries on a flat plate spreads out and cools quickly around the edges. In a basket, the food stays together, retains heat longer, and makes the portion look fuller than it is. In addition, a basket sets an informal tone: guests naturally feel more inclined to eat with their hands than from a plate with cutlery beside it. For a terrace, café, or drinks menu, that is exactly the atmosphere you want. The low rim helps too, as it makes the food easy to pick up while still keeping it contained.

For nuts, olives, or a single snack, a small basket of around fifteen centimeters is sufficient. Oval baskets of approximately twenty to twenty-five centimeters are the workhorses: they can hold a serving of fries, a sandwich, or a mixed appetizer platter, and two or three fit side by side on a standard serving tray. Rectangular models are more efficient when you place many baskets at once on a long table. When choosing, also pay attention to the base: a flat base provides stability, while a ridged base allows some air circulation and keeps fried foods from becoming soggy as quickly.

Paper is not only practical but also your most affordable piece of presentation. A plain sheet makes the basket look clean faster and absorbs grease. If you choose printed paper or paper in your own color, you carry your brand identity through to the table without adding any extra handling. Fold the paper double when serving hot dishes: it absorbs better and keeps the dish at temperature slightly longer. Cut or fold the paper slightly larger than the basket so the edges are visibly draped over the rim.

Plastic baskets are dishwasher-safe and handle grease and salt without any problems. Let them drain thoroughly after washing before stacking them, because water trapped between stacked baskets dries slowly and leaves rings. Since they stack compactly, you can keep a large supply with little cupboard space, which is exactly what you want on a busy Saturday. For a patio, plan on at least twice your maximum simultaneous use, so a clean set is always ready. For catering businesses, they can be purchased by the box with an 8% stacking discount, and shipping costs €6.95.