ABSTRACT
Internet-based testing techniques are increasingly allowing chefs to optimize the visual presentation of their food online. This scientific approach to plating is part of the emerging field of gastrophysics, namely, the application of psychophysical testing techniques to the design of enhanced food experiences. The emerging gastrophysics research shows that people exhibit clear preferences for certain orientations over others as far as plating of food is concerned. One of the most exciting developments in the emerging field of gastrophysics research has been the emergence of online testing as a legitimate, rapid, and cheap means of assessing people’s impressions/associations/expectations with visually presented stimuli, such as, for example, plates of food. The chapter highlights three rules of thumb that the research demonstrated help predict the preferred orientation of plates of food. The three rules are: pointing angularity away from the diner, ascending to the right: preferential orientation for linear elements and orientation preference for the horizontal/vertical.
