Why 'We Want Plates' Viral Food Presentation Is Killing Fine Dining

Is your job to eat the food or take a photo of the 'art'? In a world obsessed with Instagrammable moments, restaurants have traded ceramic plates for roof tiles, shovels, and even iPads. But a massive online movement known as We Want Plates is fighting back, demanding a return to the basics of dining.

The Rise of 'We Want Plates' Viral Food Presentation

What started as a venting session for Ross McGinnes in 2015 has exploded into a global phenomenon. According to McGinnes, the campaign began after a friend unironically praised a steak served on a massive chopping board. Today, the community boasts over 750,000 followers across social media, with the dedicated Reddit community exceeding 500,000 members.

The subreddit is a graveyard of culinary disasters. Users share images of ravioli on a clothesline, curry on a flat chopping board, and even raspberry ice cream served on a twig inside a hole drilled into a rock. McGinnes argues that these hipster gastropubs prioritize style-over-content, often at the expense of hygiene and food quality.

The Hidden Cost of 'Quirky' Serving Designs

Industry critics like Lesley Lassiter suggest that the primary motivation for these bizarre displays is virality. Restaurants are desperate to stand out in a crowded digital landscape, but this often backfires. When food is served on twigs or logs, it's not just impractical—it's often overpriced. Consumers are left wondering if they're paying for the premium ingredients or the expensive junk used to serve them.

Furthermore, McGinnes observed that when a restaurant switches to 'quirky' serving—like mini picnic benches—the quality of traditional staples often declines. The focus shifts from the kitchen's heat and flavor to the dining room's aesthetic, resulting in cold meat and burnt potatoes.