A Chef’s Guide to Great Plating | Basic, Intermediate, Expert

[@Deathbyfartz]

kush on screen has really complimented the show. i absolutely love his energy and cooking style.

[@Conankun66YT]

really one of the best decisions sorted has ever made

[@maypling]

yeah i love that they took the time to figure out how to use his knowledge/personality best

[@nicohallmen8354]

totally agree

[@AbigatorM]

i love that evne tho he is a goofball, he still very professional when it matters. And non of those sides of him feel forced. its just how he is. love it

[@jameshowarth4801]

Couldn't agree more. When James left, I was thinking "urgh, you can't just replace him". The moment Kush arrived on camera with a blowtorch I realised how wrong I was. He brings exactly the right crazy energy.

[@hundredfireify]

The Kush masterclasses are some of the best content on the channel. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge with everyone, chef Kush

[@SortedFood]

Glad you enjoy them 😁

[@KrisAdamsTV]

I think you could have said "all of youtube". There are no other masterclasses on YT. He is number one by default, but no one is beating him if they tried.

[@CyKsFuze]

@@SortedFood Everyone is entertaining, but Kush has brought something so different that I think the channel needed. I couldn't imagine another friend group doing this.

[@Getpojke]

Ben also did a series of masterclasses & deep-dives that appeared on Fridays for a while. I really enjoyed them too. I love the fun & games, but also the serious stuff Ben & Kush do is top shelf.

[@jeannefrenken3284]

Could not agree more!!

[@santiagoperez5431]

Can we take a moment and just admire and be in awe of of quickly Jamie took all of Kush's information through out the video, processed it, and then used it for the final dish. Which is stunning!

[@yusthavinfun]

that last one was really impressive. Jamie seems to do so well when guided just a bit and especially when taught the why of things. I am really curious to see if he can incorporate this into his cooking

[@santiagoperez5431]

@@yusthavinfun I am defiantly looking forward to this growth! It would be interesting to see a video of how the three normals would recreate a dish, plating included taking into consideration how much they have all grown

[@erzsebetkovacs2527]

Kush is a fantastic teacher. A literal masterclass taught by him would be amazing to participate at. Also, good on Jamie for letting himself to be demonstration material.

[@PetWessman]

Balanced dishes aside, I think the most impressive thing Kush balances is his chaotic-mischief-shenanigans energy with his calm-approachable-knowledgeable energy

[@raideurng2508]

He's a good counter to Ebbers, who prefers simple plating, veg heavy, rustic cooking whereas Kush definitely can focus more on proteins, plating, and pure theory or textures and tastes.

[@cassandragunkel6101]

@@PetWessman Here here!

[@DjinninOz]

I think your description is apt for the whole team and what they do, mischief shenanigans energy but also knowledgeable approachable energy. It’s a fantastic description.

[@LordClarkson]

I sense some neurodiversity

[@TheBlacklist3r]

As a former cook in fine dining myself, I think that combination of crackhead linecook energy and serious artistic professionalism is why I remain friends with so many industry folk.

[@LivingWithTheCoopers]

The way Kush looks at everyone when he is teaching them, and letting them find things out themselves is so heartwarming. What a beautiful human.

[@giraffesinc.2193]

AGREED!!!!

[@ukeitaa]

This!!

[@DaveHaenze]

Absolutely! He seems like a fun friend, and an amazing teacher

[@christopherlebel1241]

I love the masterclasses! Also, ongoing petition for my dream episode, "Buzzed/drunk chefs remote control sober normals." you could bring on some fun guests, pluggy plug plug your gin, and have a good laugh. Keep it up you guys.

[@CharlieFoxtrot06]

I'll add my name to your petition. That would be an hilarious video!

[@Muddragon104]

Your idea sounds like it would make for a fun video.

[@KillerCornMuffin]

I massively support this idea.

[@VetInTheWater]

I've not lived until I've seen this happen!

[@katieromero5470]

This needs to happen!!!!!

[@Conankun66YT]

Putting Kush in front of the camera has been the best decision in the history of Sorted

[@Johnny-xu7kb]

100%

[@tatianaes3354]

Indeed, but they had no chores as James likes his chef job and can not return to the show other than as a guest host a couple of times a year. Benjamin is superb, but he is just one person. So the lads have decided to re-sign a contract with Kush to make him on-screen cook, rather than a behind the scenes cooking team member. Kush is very sharp, so it is a great solution to everybody. He was superb behinds the scenes ever since Benjamin invited him, and now he shines on the screen, too.

[@BlazeMiskulin]

As a former teacher, I really appreciate the differing ways in which Ben and Kush teach. Ben is very much about the history and cultural context of a dish, while Kush is more about the details. If I want to learn why certain foods go together in a cuisine or which fusion will and will not work, I'd go to Ben. Plating and seasoning master classes, I'd go to Kush. And... Jamie was the *perfect* normal for this one. Great pairing. Thanks!

[@lynnbean7200]

I'd go for Kush every time.

[@LivWis]

The patience and calmness in the way Kush explains things is so wonderful. You never feel like you're less than or dumb or anything like that, you always feel like you're being taught with intention. Giving very Uncle/Dad vibes, and I think it's wonderful how Kush guides anyone and everyone through these things. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us all Kush!

[@FaereSedura]

"Three is the magic number." *Proceeds to put four olives in the bowl* xD

[@PhilBoswell]

Came down here for this comment, was not disappoint 👍

[@cabe_bedlam]

"snacking olive" :)

[@steveaustin2686]

If two are sharing the dish, three is a bad number. Six would be better I think.

[@CyKsFuze]

@@FaereSedura "Odd numbers are most pleasing to look at" Is the other saying that they haven't said much

[@vyran7044]

@@steveaustin2686 ahh but thats thinking from the POV of the person eating it. If its an uneven number they are more likely to get another round. (especially if its apetisers or something like that.)

[@NateyCat]

I love how this is ‘teaching’ and not ‘insulting’. Don’t get me wrong I think Jamie did great! I would be extremely happy with his plating. But Kush knows how to take it from an 8 to a 10. ❤

[@NerdyMusicChef]

I think Kush and Jamie might be a favorite combination for me. Kush is such a gentle yet clear teacher, and Jamie always seems open and eager to learn new things!

[@melissalambert7615]

Jamie was good in this one, calm. I prefer Mike, he shows a bit more joy of learning.

[@giraffesinc.2193]

Agreed!

[@drjonbear7517]

These masterclasses are utterly exceptional! Absolutely love them. So much stuff that you don't think about as a normal.

[@SortedFood]

So glad you learnt from this video! Have fun experimenting at home with these tips 👌

[@choke9270]

They are awesome!! I love the special menus aswell. Believe Kush did a Christmas one and a date night one too.

[@katrinlausch3078]

Thank you Sorted, well I guess most of people struggle here or are unsure. You may not need a finer plating for your quick meal, but you may also want to plate nicer just for your joy. Some people have problems with eating mentally or physically so the plating helps a bit there. Often you see chefs plate nicely and you understand it but doing it yourself with your dish is something different 🥰

[@SortedFood]

Definitely! We hope these tips help 😁

[@michellesade1703]

@@SortedFood I, for one, would like more of the plating ideas for home cooking - family, friends, one person.

[@wendyoldbag6534]

Another great masterclass!... It's nice to see Kush encouraging Jamie to think about WHY he made certain plating choices, and the reassurance that nothing is intrinsically 'wrong'...I have some VERY happy memories of food that was served the most at simple of levels.. Mum's homemade stew, just ladled into bowls and served with a plate of sliced bread in the centre of the table for 'dunking'!

[@YasdanyR]

Kush is the kind of chef I would love to learn a lot of things, this man is a beast of knowledge

[@zolexa13]

This was a perfect format. Jamie, being all of us, watching him plate and have the breakdown/contrast with the reasoning explained, was perfect. It was very visual and hands on style learning that just made sense. Kush is a wonderful instructor!

[@richbuilds_com]

Kush has been such a natural fit for the show. He's also a bloody good cookerator!

[@marybell752]

Love Kush’s masterclasses. Made the the chicken from the Spices masterclass and oh my my!!

[@realpirate]

same here : lekka !

[@SortedFood]

Ooooh so glad you made it AND that you liked it too!

[@RBRB431]

I literally felt so proud of Jamie when I saw his plate #3! I love him and Kush together. They have total sibling energy - support each other but pull each others legs and just have a great time together

[@PokhrajRoy.]

8:27 Jamie and his unique relationship to utensils vs hands should be a compilation honestly.

[@HeyitsTaylorXOXO]

Honestly, I’m here for any Kush masterclass 💜💕

[@gailnelmes1098]

YES, YES and YES! MOOOOOOOORE please! I enjoy having a dinner party but I always feel like the hours I spend making delicious food is wasted when my plating is so average and ‘meh’! Well done Jamie for being so willing and so open minded and well done Kush for yet again proving what a good teacher he is.

[@maypling]

although it can feel overwhelming, i love that kush's videos are longer-it's perfect for his formats. you can just see what sticks out to you, work on one thing for awhile, then come back for more.

[@Getpojke]

Some may say plating is only for fancy restaurants. But I spent a couple of hours reading through a discussion board on folks discussing the rights & wrongs of how a "Full English" should be plated, even in a greasy-spoon. Seemingly beans shouldn't touch anything else. Tomato placement is a big thing & a whole host of other ideas. It was pretty entertaining.

[@catzkeet4860]

Kush touched on one of the major reasons for careful plating in the video. Someone took time and care, choosing what to cook, and cooking it carefully with a clear end goal in mind for taste and textures. The plating is what allows, even LEADS the diner to the end goal the chef had in mind. The amount and placement of garnishes can enhance or muddy a dish, and the colour/texture of the dish can make a dish seem riotous or harmonious, but should always allow the colours of the food to sing.

[@brandonlantier]

Must say bringing Kush in front of the camera was one of the best decisions you gents have ever made! I have watched pretty much every video from the beginning and enjoyed watching you all grow as a family, it was a bit emotional seeing James go but glad to see him come back from time to time, its been an amazing journey and always look forward to how you will push the envelope next, Cheers!

[@celestial86]

Kush is such a pro. Also huge props to Jamie cause especially that last dish looked amazing.

[@mimicsandmonstrosities]

Man, Kush is such a good teacher and is the exact opposite of most of my teachers I've had. Jamie is also such a good "student" too. This might be the best series y'all have done. It's just so informative and great.

[@GhostsOfThings]

I am so appreciative of Kush for teaching us and for Jamie for being so willing to put himself out there and learn for all of us watching.

[@_SurferGeek_]

What I'd like to see next would be flavor pairings of things that a normal home cook will generally have in their cupboards. Staples that can be paired together to be better than "normal".

[@YaaLFH]

While you wait for that video, get yourself "The Flavour Thesaurus" by Niki Segnit.

[@acreo7357]

I think this is my favourite masterclass video so far just because plating is much more visual and I liked seeing how much Jaime improved and took all of Kush's teachings in well

[@NeverMetABadCheesecake]

I haven't even watched this yet and already I can confidently say - MORE! More of this type of video with Kush, please!

[@gagandeepsingh9212]

I would never have guessed that that final bowl was actually expert level plating (based on visuals alone). This was truly a masterclass by Kush. He is really a great teacher! What an addition to the screen-team of Sorted!👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@danielHL824]

This is - hands down - the best Sorted Food video!!! Oh my god, Kush, you are amazing!

[@guibs171]

Best video from sorted!!! Love how Kush educated and demonstrated his plating in a video!!!

[@AndrewTheOni]

I love the way Kush’s face lights up when Jamie guesses ingredients correctly. Kush joining the team has elevated all the other boys so much and it really seems that Kush is very proud of them

[@willso93]

I cannot emphasise how valuable this video was. I would LOVE to see format of food plating!

[@xxiao5156]

The Kush Guide series is the plating element on the silverware that elevates the metaphysical dish of this Sorted channel. Not a lot in quantity, but it enhances the overall viewing experience amongst the other programs like the Taste tests or the Pass It Ons

[@wilsojer]

Absolutely fantastic ! I genuinely learnt so much from this (as I do with loads of your videos). Kush is such a natural teacher with such a great style - 50% totally professional and 50% a bit wild and crazy. Jamie picked up on everything that he was being taught and you could see the massive difference in his style. Honestly, just brilliant. Please, please, please more of these !

[@toscirafanshaw9735]

That was both fun and really informative! I learned a lot. Kush has a lovely teaching style.

[@SortedFood]

So glad you enjoyed it, and indeed he does :)

[@lynnbean7200]

Kush is the best. He really is a master. As someone else said, thanks for sharing with us Kush.

[@DubiousJackson]

It annoys me how good kush is at all this, such a talented guy to have on their team!!!

[@natalias.1561]

What a great teacher. Kush, we so appreciate your patience and skill here 🎉 also, Jamie, your plates still all looked really nice ❤️

[@macsmodels0565]

Great video the way Kush makes you feel at ease is amazing. I would love to see Kush do a master class in BBQ.

[@LeslieCSmith]

This has been my favorite video you’ve published recently! You really identified a sticking-point for home cooks and gave us loads to think about, consider, and ways to improve! Thanks!

[@jamesjohns9668]

I can feel a Pass It On coming on, with the order set by which normals were in each of these masterclass episodes. And I can't wait to see it!

[@proanimali]

What a wonderful show. Kush and Jamie compliment each other and Kush is an excellent teacher!

[@benneboii8117]

These lessons with Kush are amazing. They are SO good I would not be upset if it was payed content... Incredible job.

[@FoxNimbus]

I love watching Kush work because I have never tried some of the stuff he makes, but it looks sO PRETTY and I want a plate!

[@wnightshade]

I am utterly entranced by an expert in thier field showing off specific and estoeric knowledge. This was AWESOME.

[@simontedcoram8005]

Love this. It gives me something to aim towards in my cooking journey. Plus Kush may have had this high end training, but he’s so down to earth. What a dude.

[@rebeccazandstra2527]

Kush's masterclasses are amazing! What a wealth of information. He's a great teacher

[@ITalkWithDragons]

Jamie’s expert honestly looked great, imagine him 10 (or even just a couple) years ago seeing him plate like that!

[@msfoodiediva]

Luv kush master class. He's so patient and very thorough on how he explains things. Personally i would have chosen Barry's favorite plate as i luv using black plates

[@anaghabhagat7359]

Had never thought so much goes into plating😮 Thanks for this session guys !

[@SortedFood]

You're welcome, we hope you find it useful for your everyday plating 👌

[@cassandragunkel6101]

Making and using sauces? Leveling up with sauces easy to create at home? This was fascinating! Longtime fan; daughter of a chef. Kush’s gentle teaching style reminds me of my dad and me. Keep up the good work!

[@annag3762]

Please make more of these episodes with the plating ideas. Love this!! And please more Kush videos too!! Jamie did a great job.

[@leighloebig5580]

Kush is such a great teacher. More of these learning opportunities, please!

[@johnbaldwin143]

Well worth the watch. Plating skills as a lesson was just great! Kush just fits so well into the existing line up.

[@BenVowles]

Kush is perfect. To the point and inflexible, but in the most agreeable way

[@redeemed33]

Jamie and Kush--- Dream Team!!!! They work so well together!

[@CarlGorn]

Kush's obvious delight in teaching a willing student is a joy to watch. ♥ EDIT: I would love to see Kush teach us about pivoting and redemption of food accidents/missteps/disasters. Example: My wife and I bought some fried chicken which was on sale at the local supermarket. Turned out to be the blandest, most under-seasoned fried chicken either of us had ever had. Solution: I made a concentrated seasoning brine by boiling up ½ cup/120ml water, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of freshly-ground pepper. Then I lightly brushed that on the pieces I was going to eat, baked them at 350ºF/175ºC for 25 minutes to drive off the water & warm everything through. Worked nice, allowing a layer of seasoning to adhere to the outside of the batter, making the dish far less bland, if not perfectly seasoned. And because that brine is so salty, I just stuck it in a food cup, put a lid on it and stuck it atop the fridge. Just needed to rinse my brush out, too, for the same reason.

[@logicman72]

In this video, Kush is not only a chef but a mentor. What a great show of skill and ability to impart those skill and knowledge with precise encouragements, nurturing creativities and humility.

[@Tawhiri15]

This is so cool! I've always felt that my plating has kinda sucked so seeing this is a really cool and fun way to change it up a bit! Plus I can just cook the same food I usually do and try to elevate it with the plating tips from this video!

[@SortedFood]

Glad to hear it! Have fun experimenting :)

[@flii87]

I consider myself a winner if I plate like Jamie. Seeing how Kush plates and the reasoning behind it, was just truly fascinating and educational. Thank you!

[@giraffesinc.2193]

I used to think Kush was a bit annoying ... and then *BAM*!!! These videos. What an astonishingly good teacher! I'm an RN and have been a teacher as well for many years, and can recognize the very best (I'm not there, but I can see it). I hope he stays on Sorted for a very long time but I can also see him as one of the very top instructors in his field. MORE PLEASE!!

[@flacobama]

Thank you guys for being the only people to talk about plating and have it not suck. Every other video I've watched on the subject, I've left the video practically feeling like hating them and never return to any of those channels. Thank you all for consistently being the exceptional exception

[@thedobster5939]

Master chef kush. I’ve learned more watching kush than most cooking courses/classes. Amazing love this guy

[@mariskababa619]

I did not know that I needed this until I was engrossed in watching the lovely interaction between Kush and Jamie. Fun and inspirational. I look forward to the cocktail class now. Sorted Food makes me happy!

[@Thomas-ii3qz]

One of the best Sorted videos I've ever seen and I for myself am always struggling with presentation. Please let us have more of these tipps and tricks about plating! Spaff and Kush, what a perfect combination for telling interesting and instructive stories!!

[@nyanuwu4209]

23:25 VIDEO PITCH: A Kush-led cocktail masterclass called Kushtails.

[@Ivanovitch2885]

Kush has that experience and personality where he is passionate about what he does and when he's teaching you can't help but be passionate about it too because he wants to share it.

[@petecrouch8277]

Love the way Kush, delivers his knowledge, no pretentious bxxxxlloxxx. Would love to see the ultimate Christmas cheese board.

[@jamiehuebsch]

I love Jamie & Kush's chemistry as a pair. They play off each other very well.

[@Faeriedarke]

That was an amazing masterclass! Thanks Kush, I love watching you, you're so talented, a master and an artist to boot! Well done Jamie, you executed that last plate perfectly!

[@PieterBreda]

Kush explains lots of stuff, I would never have thought of. So insightful. There is a thought process I would never have even considered.

[@victoriazwergmaus9813]

Amazing!!! I learned so much over tge years i have watched you. But this master classes are mind blowing🎉🎉🎉 thanks. And they are doable at home! Greatings from Switzerland

[@SortedFood]

That's great to hear, have fun experimenting 😁

[@Kazdy]

Loved this video. Everybody complimenting Kush, quite rightly, but a big shout out to Jamie. His 'normal' efforts were still really good and showed how far he's developed, and his receptivity to constructive criticism is admirable.

[@kratrina]

I really love this series. Kush explains the information so well. Mike and Jamie have been sponges picking up all the information and I love that so much. I've learned so much. I'm curious, because Kush talked about color a lot. Did Jamie find the challenges difficult due to his color blindness? If so, how did he overcome that when making his decisions and taking in the information from Kush? I think it would be interesting if the Sorted crew talked about disabilities, perhaps with community members, and showed how the items they often review can be used to help people. This would go a long way in opening up the door to more people being able to do scratch cooking.

[@metroid74]

Thank you all at Sorted. I just cooked the greatest meal I’ve ever cooked and without watching you all I never would have ever attempted it. Braised beef short ribs with green beans and mashed potatoes. I reduced and filtered the braising sauce, it was so good. The full bite was the best bite of my life.

[@karleedu]

Kush is so easy to understand when he's explaining how to go about the plates.

[@sazzlepopz1553]

Kush is so skilled and Jamie so receptive. I would have walked off in a huff at my own incompetence. Can't wait to see the next masterclass

[@graceb9434]

I love Jamie recapping the main take always - super helpful!!!

[@Hoolaloo]

Love this! I've always felt like my plating was lacking so I'm learning already just from the beginner tier. Jamie made a joke about the comments being harsh lately. I just wanna say i appreciate you and all of Sorted tremendously! This is my favourite channel by a wide margin. I love what you all do and I could be watching the newest videos or rewatching videos from 3, 5, 7 years ago: its all top quality and the way you all constantly grow and evolve without getting stale is fantastic. To everyone at Sorted, keep it up!

[@HeavyMorals]

Kush reminds me of young Yngwie Malmsteen. It can come off as though he has an ego, but once you see him perform you realize it’s just confidence steeped in unbelievable skill.

[@matthewosborne8384]

Perfect post work content on a Monday. These masterclasses are unique in this space atm. I would say teach the normals (and us) all the basic skills. Love to see soups, stocks, and stews. Normals at this time of year will be using them more as the weather gets colder and lets ditch the cube and the can!

[@garethwesleyevans]

This explains Jamie's guess of Gurnard in the Jamaican dish during the last video!!

[@Getpojke]

You spotted that too eh? 😆

[@Getpojke]

Brilliant stuff, thank you. I first got the idea of plating as a kid, plating up biscuits & cakes for guests. I am a wee bit OCD & would always plate flat biscuits like "Penrose stairs" so there was no beginning or end. Cheap plastic squeeze bottles are dirt cheap & can make a huge difference, even plating at home. They also keep your sauces & liquids fresh in the fridge so you always have some to hand. Plus some small micro-herbs & sprouted grains bottles can be grown even on a small window sill & don't cost much.

[@elizabethtucker6026]

Fantastic. Jamie's receptivity and grateful attitude added warmth to Kush's expert skill.

[@_SurferGeek_]

Even knowing how to plate like a 5 star restaurant... I will never do it that way but I do appreciate the education. I've had more cold, fancy plated dishes to make me not want to bother. As well, very few of us 'Normals' have access to a huge variety of serving dishes so that's a non-starter right out the gate. Hopefully the Instascam photographing food trend will die off like MySpace.

[@barnaclebob123]

This was so great. I love the format of Jamie trying first and Kush showing the lessons, because what Jamie did was exactly what i would do as a normal. I would love to see approaches on how to apply these lessons to like bringing a dish to a pot luck to impress or a large party, since i could do this for a couple plates but not for 20.

[@ahollingsworth457]

Love these master class episodes🥰 Master class ideas - Cocktails (per Kush request) - Hors d'oeuvres/Appetizers - Pizza - Knife blades and skills - Mother sauces - Chocolates - Pickles/Pickling

[@CarolynParsons-mv1ji]

This was a fantastic video!!! Kush is an excellent teacher and I can tell Jaime learned a lot. I think he did very well too. I know I learned a lot too! I absolutely love this series!! Please, please, please keep them coming!!

[@relaxd0ntd01t]

Watching Kush in the expert section, You could tell he wasn't just showing off. He was just having fun, while showing off.

[@monicareno4088]

I love these videos where we get to learn from the chefs. I absolutely love every video on Sorted, but these are my favorite. 😊

[@gemeroperiddle9462]

This was such a great learning experience. Loved getting the 'normal' method first and then possible improvements from a chef. Was also really nice to see how Jay instantly used all the tips for the next dish.

[@BiggieZee]

I seriously love the masterclass series! Already followed the first new, now to actually plate em all

[@kitherit]

This was such a good video! I loved seeing how much Jamie learned in just a short time, as we learned right along with him. It's also given me a whole new appreciation not only of Kush's skill, but just how much thought goes into dishes served at fine dining restaurants, right down to which direction the plates are set down in front of a diner for the best presentation.

[@ginnyweatherbee7941]

I love these videos, I love how Chef Kush teaches the normals (and us) what he’s learned