Tabletop Trends: Matt
Why is matt having a moment? Matt has been trending for a few years now. It started to reappear on the table because matt became popular in interior design. Matt tableware is contemporary, stylish, smooth, classy and elegant, and makes a great canvas for any cuisine. It has a distinctive texture, too, that many find appealing, and works well with natural and earthy tones. Foodservice operators are looking for new ways to serve and display their food and matt delivers a change.
Because of the contrast it creates, matt can make food stand out better – which makes it great for social media posts! Plus, there are fewer reflections in the images than with gloss, which is good for brightly lit environments and for photography. The down side of this characteristic is that the matt finish may make the colours appear less vivid and vibrant than a gloss. Mind you, the rugged, tactile quality of matt finishes provides a striking contrast to traditional glossy tableware, cutlery and serveware, enhancing the visual and sensory experience of dining.
Matt tableware glazes often complement rustic and artisan aesthetics, aligning well with eco-friendly and sustainable practices. Indeed, matt scores well with sustainability, because you need fewer chemicals for manufacturing than you do for a gloss finish. Matt surfaces are also excellent at hiding fingerprints and smudges, maintaining a cleaner appearance over time. Having said that, matt tableware can scratch, so users should be advised not to serve foods that require a lot of cutting, such as steak, on a matt plate. Compared to a gloss finish, matt may be susceptible to staining, so avoid recommending white or pale matts to customers serving acidic food, and advise them to wash straight after use.
When it comes to cutlery and metal serveware, a matt or satin finish gives your customers some real advantages. As well as delivering that vital point of difference to presentation, it can save time as it won’t need to be polished after washing, because the finish is resistant to fingerprints and watermarks. Scratches and marks are less visible, so the cutlery or serveware can be very long lasting. Good quality matt cutlery will be impact and abrasion resistant, so will be dishwasher safe and suitable for a busy HoReCa environment. Matt serveware should be treated as you would a polished finish - washing with appropriate care and polishing if necessary, with a soft cloth and non-abrasive polish.
As with all light equipment and tableware, customers buying matt products should be encouraged to follow the manufacturers’ specific care guide. One note of caution: while matt adds a distinctive look to the table or service area and fits into many different environments, it may not suit a customer looking for a more traditional, formal fine dining setting. There’s a touch of marmite about matt!
This article is part of Tabletop Trends - FEA's quarterly light equipment and tableware sector newsletter.
Tabletop Trends is produced and distributed by the Foodservice Equipment Association, the UK's largest independent foodservice equipment trade association. All suppliers listed in this article are FEA members. A full list of Light Equipment and Table suppliers can be found on our Meet Our Members section - simply select Light Equipment / Food Prep from the Product Type drop down menu
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