Let’s face it – we’re all a bit hooked on cooking. Gone are the days when nuking a frozen meal would cut the mustard. We’re breaking out the chopping boards again, and sautéing, caramelising and deglazing with the best of them. Home cooking has taken a turn towards fine dining – but once you’ve prepared a show-stopping meal, how are you serve it? You don’t want your plate to be a mess when you’re trying to impress.

Maybe you want to show off your skills at a dinner party, or win over a hot date with your culinary capabilities. Possibly you just want to be #blessed with likes on Instagram. You can’t exactly do that with steak and three veg just whacked on a plate with a sloppy squirt of barbecue sauce. We eat with our eyes, so you may as well treat them to a feast.

Even the most basic meal can be a work of art – and it’s not as hard as you might think. We spoke to James Mclennan from Bomba restaurant in Melbourne, and he showed us the simple steps to a perfect plate.

First, you start with a smear. Whether it’s a puree, a mash or a coulis, this artful flourish will help set the scene on your plate and form a base for the main elements of your meal. Then, sweeten the deal with elements that will lift the dish – from perfectly cooked vegies to a mouth-watering drizzle of sauce, you want different levels of height and texture.

Finally, add a pop of contrasting colour. From the bright green of microherbs to the deep red of sliced chilli, a little garnish is the perfect finish to a perfect meal.

To find out more, watch the video below.