They say “people eat with their eyes first” — but at 13_03 Gourmet, we believe guests also eat with their hearts.A truly unforgettable menu doesn’t just fill stomachs; it creates conversations, emotions, and memories long after the last bite. Whether you’re hosting a corporate brunch, an intimate dinner, or a grand celebration in Lagos, here’s how to craft a menu that delights every guest — from the first course to the final dessert. 🍴 1. Know Your Guests — and Their Palates The first secret to an impressive menu is understanding who you’re serving.Is it a crowd of professionals looking for a refined brunch experience? Or a family gathering craving a comforting taste of home? Your menu should mirror your audience — blending familiar comfort with surprising creativity. 💡 At 13_03 Gourmet, we curate experiences that balance both worlds — celebrating Nigerian heritage while embracing global flavors.Explore our Corporate Services for tailor-made menu solutions. 🥗 2. Find the Perfect Balance Between Local and Global A truly impressive menu doesn’t choose between local and international — it fuses both with grace. Think: Pepper-grilled seafood paired with a lemon butter drizzle Jollof arancini served with spiced aioli Plantain sliders topped with caramelized onions Each dish pays homage to Nigeria while embracing a world-class dining flair. ✨ Browse our Menu to see how we reimagine classics into culinary art. 🍷 3. Play with Texture, Color, and Contrast Guests love food that feels as good as it tastes. The secret? Contrast.Pair creamy with crispy, warm with cool, bold with subtle. We design our dishes not just for flavor, but for rhythm — like a song on a plate.Crisp puff pastries beside soft, buttery sauces; rich stews offset by fresh citrus slaw. 🎨 Every plate at 13_03 Gourmet is a masterpiece in motion — because great food should excite every sense. 🧁 4. Add a Show-Stopping Dessert (Always!) No event is complete without a dessert that wows.From mini cheesecakes to signature pastries by Fuchsia Desserts, the final course is your last chance to make an impression. Go bold. Go sweet. Go unforgettable. 🍰 Explore our dessert creations on the Menu or inquire via our Contact Page to personalize your next event treat. 🕯️ 5. Presentation is Everything Food presentation is the silent language of luxury.Whether it’s a perfectly swirled sauce or a minimalist plate with a pop of color — presentation sets the tone for your entire event. At 13_03 Gourmet, we believe every detail tells a story — from the curve of your cutlery to the sheen of your serving tray.It’s not just food. It’s theatre on a plate. (See how we bring art to the table in our blog: The Art of Plating: Behind Our Signature Style.) 💫 Final Thoughts: Let Your Menu Speak for You An impressive menu isn’t just about what’s on the plate — it’s about what it says about you.It reflects taste, creativity, and intention. And when built with the right balance of flavor and finesse, it becomes a signature of excellence. That’s what 13_03 Gourmet stands for — every dish, every detail, designed to impress. 💬 Call-to-Action (CTA) Section 🎉 Ready to Impress Your Guests?From concept to creation, we’ll design a menu that delights every palate. 👉 Explore Our Menu • View Our Corporate Services • Contact Us Today

Plating isn’t decoration — it’s storytelling. At 13_03 GOURMET, every plate we send out is a carefully composed scene designed to evoke mood, memory and appetite. Whether we’re serving a contemporary jollof reinterpretation or a delicate continental starter, our signature plating blends Nigerian soul with global refinement to create dishes that look as irresistible as they taste. Below we peel back the curtain: our guiding principles, practical techniques, and how we marry local flavours with premium presentation. Use these ideas for your next celebration — or invite us and let our chefs do the art for you. Why plating matters (beyond looks) Presentation shapes expectations. The moment someone sees a plate, their brain begins tasting: color suggests freshness, balance implies skill, and negative space signals intention. Great plating elevates the dining experience by: Communicating the chef’s intent before the first forkful.Amplifying perceived value — guests feel they’re eating something special.Creating memorable moments (and photos) that keep people talking — which matters for events and social-driven catering. At 13_03 GOURMET we treat plating as part of the guest journey: an entrance to the flavours, not an afterthought. Our signature style: six pillarsMinimalist storytellingWe use restraint. Each plate highlights a central ingredient or technique, supported by thoughtful accents — a smear of sauce, a crisp garnish, one bright element that draws the eye.Texture contrastSoft-and-crisp, creamy-and-crunchy: texture keeps the palate engaged. You’ll often see a crunchy element (tuille, brittle, toasted seed) paired with a velvety purée or sauce.Colour with purposeColours are chosen to communicate taste (bright greens for acidity, deep reds for richness) and to make photos pop without feeling artificial.Local-first ingredientsWe spotlight Nigerian staples — smoked plantain, ogbono accents, freshly-picked herbs — but present them with international techniques so every plate feels both familiar and refined.Intentional negative spaceLeaving empty space frames the focal ingredient and gives the dish breathing room — it reads as calm, curated, premium.Edible accents & sustainabilityGarnishes are edible and often seasonal. We avoid purely decorative non-edible elements, and we prioritize local suppliers to reduce waste and support community producers.The method — step by step (how we build a plate)Start with the canvasChoose plate shape and colour based on the dish. White or muted tones make colours sing; dark plates add drama for light-coloured foods.Anchor the protein or hero elementPlace the main ingredient slightly off-centre (rule-of-thirds) for a natural, dynamic composition.Add supporting saucesSmears, dots or pools — applied with spoons, brushes, or squeeze bottles. Think compositionally: how will the sauce lead the eye across the plate?Introduce height and textureStack, lean, or add a crisp element for vertical interest. Height translates as abundance and craftsmanship.Finish with freshnessMicrogreens, citrus zest, or a drizzle of infused oil added at the end keeps brightness and aroma intact.Final checkWipe plate rims, test the temperature, adjust a last folio of herb — presentation is in the details.Pro plating tips you can try at homeLimit your palette: pick 2–3 dominant colours per plate.Use odd numbers: 3 accents look more natural than 2 or 4.Create a focal point: the eye needs a place to rest — make sure the hero ingredient is unmistakable.Play with spoons: use the back of a spoon to create smooth purée swooshes.Texture hack: toast nuts or seeds in a dry pan for 2–3 minutes — instant crunch.Temperature matters: warm plates for hot dishes, chilled plates for cold ones — it preserves texture and aroma.Plating examples from our menu (visual ideas)Signature Jollof Trio: three mini quenelles — smoky jollof rice quenelle, charred plantain crisp, palm-tamarind glaze smear. Plate: matte black; garnish: micro-coriander.Coastal Starter: seared prawns, coconut-lime emulsion dot pattern, cassava crisp. Plate: shallow white bowl; finish: lime zest.Decadent Dessert: yuzu curd pool, chocolate soil, toasted coconut tuile standing upright for height. (If you want, we can produce styled photos of these plates for your website and social feeds.) Photography & social — plating that performs online We design plates to photograph well: single light source, negative space, and a clear focal point. For social images: Use natural light where possible.Shoot from 45° for composed plates; top-down for bowls and flat arrangements.Include a hint of action — a hand lifting a fork or a sauce being drizzled — to make images feel alive. Suggested image alt text examples: “13_03 GOURMET — signature jollof trio with plantain crisp on matte black plate”“Seared prawns with coconut-lime emulsion and cassava crisp — 13_03 GOURMET”For event planners: why our plating matters for your guests Presentation affects guest experience and perceived value — especially at weddings, corporate dinners, and private events where photos and first impressions travel fast. Our plating: Enhances guest delight and perceived exclusivity.Creates shareable moments that amplify your event online.Is scalable: we maintain style consistency whether serving 20 or 200 guests.Book a tasting — taste the art Want to see these techniques in action? Book a tasting with 13_03 GOURMET. We’ll build a bespoke menu, plate a sample selection, and tailor presentation to your event’s theme and colour palette. Call to action: Reserve a tasting or request a plated menu sample at [Contact page / Book a Tasting] — perfect for intimate dinners, weddings or premium corporate catering in Lagos. Plating isn’t decoration — it’s storytelling. At 13_03 GOURMET, every plate we send out is a carefully composed scene designed to evoke mood, memory and appetite. Whether we’re serving a contemporary jollof reinterpretation or a delicate continental starter, our signature plating blends Nigerian soul with global refinement to create dishes that look as irresistible as they taste. Below we peel back the curtain: our guiding principles, practical techniques, and how we marry local flavours with premium presentation. Use these ideas for your next celebration — or invite us and let our chefs do the art for you. Why plating matters (beyond looks) Presentation shapes expectations. The moment someone sees a plate, their brain begins tasting: color suggests freshness, balance implies skill, and negative space signals intention. Great plating elevates the dining experience by: Communicating the chef’s intent before the first forkful.Amplifying perceived value — guests feel

5 Secrets to Hosting a Stylish Corporate Brunch in Lagos If there’s one thing Lagos professionals know how to do well — it’s blending business with pleasure. From boardroom meetings to weekend brunches, corporate gatherings have become more than just formal events; they’re networking experiences that leave a lasting impression. So, if you’re planning a corporate brunch in Lagos, here are five insider secrets to hosting it with effortless style — the kind that impresses your team, your clients, and your Instagram feed. 1. Choose the Perfect Venue with Ambience Lagos offers endless options — from cozy rooftop lounges in Lekki to chic private halls in Victoria Island. But the key is ambience. Go for venues with natural light, good air circulation, and elegant interiors that complement your brand image. ✨ Pro tip: Partner with a professional caterer like 13_03 Gourmet to handle your venue setup and food presentation seamlessly.(Check out our Corporate Services to learn more.) 2. Curate a Menu That Speaks Sophistication Your menu sets the tone for your event. Think of it as your company’s culinary handshake. Opt for a mix of continental favorites and modern Nigerian dishes — avocado toast beside suya sliders, fresh fruit parfaits next to fluffy mini pancakes. Balance flavor, freshness, and presentation. 💡 At 13_03 Gourmet, we specialize in crafting menus that blend creativity with local taste — whether it’s brunch bites, finger foods, or full-course meals. 3. Keep It Light, Luxe, and Photo-Worthy Gone are the days of heavy buffet tables. The modern brunch is all about elegance and ease. Serve beautifully plated small portions with pops of color — edible flowers, mini pastries, vibrant juices. Set up a self-serve mimosa bar or smoothie corner for that “wow” factor. Your guests will love it. And yes — it’ll look amazing on your corporate social media feed. (Explore our Menu for creative brunch options that elevate your event.) 4. Add a Touch of Personalization Make your brunch memorable with branded napkins, custom name tags, or dessert toppers featuring your company’s logo. A personalized touch tells your guests that you care about the details. You can even surprise them with branded dessert boxes or cupcakes from your sister brand — Fuchsia Desserts. (Learn more about our Event Catering Services and request a custom package today.) 5. Partner with the Right Catering Team This is where the magic truly happens. Food isn’t just about taste — it’s about experience. You need a catering partner who understands timing, presentation, and the Lagos corporate lifestyle. 13_03 Gourmet takes care of everything — from curated menus and table styling to on-site service and seamless delivery. Whether it’s an intimate brunch for your executives or a large-scale corporate mixer, we make sure your event feels effortlessly premium. 👉 Ready to plan your next corporate brunch?Contact Us Today and let’s create a dining experience your guests won’t forget. Final Thoughts Hosting a stylish corporate brunch in Lagos isn’t just about food — it’s about creating connections, elevating your brand, and celebrating success in style. With the right planning (and the right catering partner), you can turn any gathering into an unforgettable gourmet experience. ✨ Discover how 13_03 Gourmet brings fine dining to corporate events across Lagos.Explore our Menu • View our Corporate Services • or Contact Us to start planning today. 💬 Call-to-Action (CTA) Section Let’s Make Your Next Corporate Brunch UnforgettableFrom elegant menus to flawless service, we handle it all.   👉 Book Your Corporate Event Now