By a Pro: Disposable Mini Tasting Plates | Dessert Table Presentation

the idea

Control portion size for expensive treats, make small treats feel special, or make sliced cakes look stylish by serving on disposable mini tasting plates

individual chocolate cake desserts served on disposable mini tasting plates

individual party desserts served on disposable mini tasting plates

the how

Use disposable mini tasting plates for sliced desserts, such as cakes, pies, tarts, cheesecake, cotton candy cake, dessert bars, rolls, and brownies
Alternatively, use to make smaller or single portion treats feel more special, such as donuts, macarons, cupcakes, candy apples, chocolate /cake truffles, tea cakes, gourmet fudge, gourmet marshmallows, or dipped strawberries
Garnish each portion with fruit, berries, cream, candy, sprinkles, mint sprigs, chocolate shavings, cocoa, powdered sugar, or cookie crumbs

various party desserts served on disposable mini tasting plates

various individual desserts served on disposable mini tasting plates on a 16th birthday party dessert table

the why

This Idea

Maximize budget; makes homemade desserts look more stylish
Embellish; makes simple, basic, filler, or store-bought desserts feel more special
Portion Size; controls portion size to help you budget, estimate quantities, reduce over-consumption and avoid running out
Uniformity; ensures any homemade treats made by friends and family still fit with your event concept, theme, or color scheme
Mobility; allows guests to hold treats in individual containers and eat more easily while standing, chatting, or mingling
Congestion; allows guests to ‘grab and go’ to reduce lines and congestion around the dessert table
Visual wow-factor; lends a stylish, modern, and professionally-catered look
Elevates; makes smaller bite-size treats appear more special or substantial
Layout; helps achieve the three simple rules for layout; groups, rows, and levels (see my dessert table layout page)
Creative; adds a creative twist to familiar or everyday treats, such as donuts and brownies
Inexpensive; a cost-effective party idea that won’t blow your budget
Reusable; can sometimes be washed and re-used for future events

individual cake desserts served on disposable mini tasting plates

individual chocolate mousse desserts served on disposable mini tasting plates

the why

dessert table styling & presentation

Spectacle; turns a food table into a display and creates a visual spectacle that contributes to the overall room decor
Aesthetically appealing; entices by creating a feast for the eyes
Special occasions should feel special; presentation makes party food look and feel less everyday
Elegant; lends your event an elegant and sophisticated touch
Professional; gives your dessert table a professionally-styled look
Memorable; guests remember creative, unusual, or unexpected styling and decoration
Photo-worthy; a great photo-op for guests share and tag on social media
Clear Up; high quality disposables can be thrown in the trash (or recycling) when finished to reduce post-event clearing and cleaning

lemon dessert served on disposable mini tasting plates

party dessert table treats served on disposable mini tasting plates

ADVICE FROM A PRO

Matt’s tip

“These disposable mini tasting plates are the most effective way to lend your dessert table a clean, modern, neat, and stylish look by arranging individual treats or sliced desserts in rows.

For more about the three simple rules for layout; groups, rows, and levels, see my dessert table layout page.

To reduce lines at the dessert table, make these ‘grab & go’ by serving with a disposable wood or plastic spoon laid on the side of the plate or sticking out of the dessert.

You could also make these more special by using personalized disposable spoons / forks printed with your event name (see links below).

Note that these disposable mini plates come in difference sizes, so check you’re buying the right size for whatever treat or dessert you plan to serve.

While these look great arranged in rows and grids, too many can make your dessert table look flat, so don’t forget to add height with some of your other desserts. Alternatively, arrange some of these mini plates on treat stands and risers (see links below).

Although these are intended to be disposable, some people have said they pop them in the dishwasher so they can be used again for future events”.