Top tablescaping tips from Jamie’s Head of Food Styling

TIP 1:

FAMILY STYLE

“When I have friends or family over, I always serve up ‘family service’, so everything goes to the table in dishes or on boards, meaning everyone can help themselves, making the meal informal, fun and laid-back. Think beautiful aromatic piles of spaghetti, big seasonal salads and a delicious savoury bake in an oven-to-table roasting dish. I also love having curry nights (as they remind me of my father). To have an eclectic selection of big platters, bowls and beautiful side plates is key.”

TIP 2:

CONTRASTING CROCKERY

“Cream and white crockery is classic, but introducing a little colour is so exciting, and having a mix that complement each other and the food makes me very happy. Jamie’s gorgeous mint green platter contrasts so beautifully with the deep rich red of the poached pears, you can’t fail but be impressed. Having beautiful pieces of crockery makes it look like you’ve made a huge effort, and if you have taken all the care to cook a beautiful meal, it deserves to be shown off.”

TIP 3:

EYES ON THE PIES

“Who can resist the smell of a homemade pie – especially as the weather starts to get colder? I just love to serve them in a bowl that’s as gorgeous as they taste. This pink pie dish is one of my favourite pieces to use, and – because it goes from oven-to-table so effortlessly – I don’t need to worry about my guests not being impressed! Served alongside this super-cute gravy boat, it’s just perfect.”

TIP 4:

INVEST IN VERSATILE PIECES

“I just love this yellow serving dish so much – the colour, size and beautiful scalloped edge… This can be used in so many ways – as a fabulous salad bowl, for pasta, roast chicken and potatoes, or just as an ingredient bowl in the kitchen filled with lemons, garlic and chillies. Or even just pine cones and seasonal foliage! This bowl instantly adds sunshine to my home, and makes me really happy.”

TIP 5:

DON’T FORGET THE SIDES!

“When you’re serving lots of people, it’s always a good idea to have little platters that can be easily shared around the table, without giving your guests arm-ache! This cute little pink platter is the perfect size for roasted carrots, rice or whatever you like.”

TIP 6:

GET CREATIVE

“With a dining table, colour is really important and it can come through in different ways. Sometimes I love to have just bare wood then introduce colour with flowers, candles, napkins, and serving plates. At other times, I might go with a lovely crisp white or off-white tablecloth, or a dark linen tablecloth with pops of colour. Colour can also reflect the changing seasons, whether that’s from foliage, flowers or coloured water glasses. Change up the height by using a mixture of things – think tall candlesticks, old jam jars with tea lights, jugs or vases with flowers. Introducing something like Jamie’s cake stand is also great as you can use it to pile up meringues, scones and pastries or even use it as a cheese board, saving you space on the table.”

BONUS TIP:

PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

“You don’t need perfectly matching dinnerware. I love an eclectic mix of mismatched pieces, which is great especially if you have quite a few guests. I love the casual elegance of it. You can have a mix of new and old – I’ve collected dishes from different places over the years and usually only have one of each, making them all the more special. I also prefer rustic, organic textures with a homemade feel. So start collecting – if you see something you love, buy it! That way, you’ll appreciate it for its memories.”

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