A pastry stand to a dessert is like a beautiful accessory to a dress. It brings out the best out of the desserts. Unfortunately, most people would rather concentrate on baking the best desserts at the expense of getting the perfect cake stand. While having the best dessert is very crucial, how you present them will determine how the guests will receive the treats.
A beautiful stand shows that you fancy your guests and you will go the extra mile to ensure that they are fully satisfied. Therefore, for the perfect display, you need a pastry stand that reeks of pomp and elegance. So, what factors should you consider when looking for the best pastry stand for your after-meal delights?
Types of Pastry Stands
There is a wide array of pastry stands that selecting one can be an overwhelming task. They are classified based on their design and range from simple and basic designs to complex and ornate ones. They include:
i). Pastry Plates – These are flat plates with beautiful drawings and markings that serve as a type of decoration for various types of desserts. They have no form of elevation and are suitable for all types of desserts, including large cakes with various tiers. They are either round or square in shape.
ii). äPlateau Stand – They are elevated few inches from the table, with flat surfaces that have beautiful designs. They are usually metallic in nature; some come with gold and silver finishes. They are usually wider, which means they can accommodate large desserts like three tier cakes and can be accompanied by various décor assortments, such as tulle, flowers, and chiffon dressings.
iii). Pedestal Stands – These are the most popular stands. They have a central pillar that holds a large platter at a much higher elevation than the plateau stands.
The highlights of these stands are the ornate designs on the pillar and the platter, such artistic carvings and dangling crystal beads that completely revolutionize the dessert experience. However, there are other stands that are just simple with no special decorative features. They are made up of glass, wood, and metal.
iv). Single Tier/Two Tier/Three Tier or more – Single tier stands have only one layer, while the two and three tier stands have two and three layers respectively. Multi-layered stands have a pyramid-like structure with the largest tier at the bottom and the smallest at the top. They come in various shapes and designs and are among the most popular pastry stands.
What pastry stand size do I need?
You will want to choose a stand with a platter that is larger than the desserts you are serving. For instance, if you are serving a cake, then the platter should be larger than the cake board.
The extra space on the bottom tier will allow you to add various decorative embellishments like flowers, which will improve the overall presentation of the dessert.
For smaller pastry treats, the stand should be large enough to accommodate as many of them as possible to reduce the number of times you will need to replenish the stand. To be on the safe side, you will need a stand with an 11-inch platter or more.
How much weight can the stand hold?
You should factor in the size of the pastries you will be making before you decide which stand will work for you. Delicate stands can only be used to carry lightweight desserts, such as few cupcakes, but may crumble at the weight of a heavy cake.
Therefore, you will need a sturdy stand that will support a wider variety of desserts. A good way to test whether the stand is sturdy enough is by stacking weights on it. This may not be possible, however, if the seller is not willing to demonstrate the strength of the stands to you.
It is worth noting that wooden and metallic stands are very strong and will work well with large presentations. Porcelain and glass stands are on the fragile end and can only be used with smaller desserts.
Should the color of the pastry stand be part of the considerations?
The color of the stand should definitely be part of the consideration. You need a color that blends well with what you are presenting. The stand should be part of the themes and color schemes of the event you are hosting.
Going with bold and contrasting colors will obviously stand out from the rest of the displayed items. This is bound to distract the attention of people from the delicacies you are presenting, which is not a good look.
For instance, going with a blue stand for a pink-themed cake presentation will not work. A white stand is the safest choice and blends perfectly with all types of themes and color schemes.
Is it multi-purpose or single purpose?
Pastry stands can be categorized as either single or multi-purpose. A single purpose stand is used for one display function only. A good example of single-purpose stands are the cupcake holders. M
ulti-purpose stands can be used to display different forms of delicacies, such as pastries, cupcakes, sweets, cakes, and appetizers. If you are dealing with only one type of food, then single purpose stands should work perfectly for you.
Otherwise, you should consider multi-purpose stands as they are more convenient. Furthermore, you should consider reusability of the stand. Do not go for a stand that is used only once, before it is discarded. It should be durable with multiple functionalities in the future.
What other features should I consider?
Apart from their overall design, some stands also offer additional features, whose function is to entice people. A good example is a stand with a revolving platter, which is either manually or electrically operated.
Some have extra tiers, which create a picturesque view of a mountain of delights. Others have complicated unconventional designs, while others are customizable to fit various themes.