What Mrs. Doubtfire can Teach Us About Food Presentation

by Claire on May 25, 2012

You may remember Robin Williams in the early 90s file Mrs. Doubtfire. While there are many messages in the film, food lessons may not be the first that come to your mind. But if you pay attention, you can get some valuable lessons on how to make a dinner special, or not.

There are two scenes in the movie in particular that really show how food presentation can make a difference. Both revolve around food ordered in.

In the first scene, you see Robin Williams as Daniel Hillard, eating takeout with his three children. Take a look for yourself:

In the second scene, Daniel is disguised as Mrs. Doubtfire, and failed to make a dinner for Miranda and the children. Out of desperation, he orders food from a high end dinner delivery place, and presents it as food he cooked. The two pictures show the transformation on the food:

What, you are saying, one is Chinese and the other is a high end food delivery place. But just think about it for a moment. If the Chinese food had been given the same treatment as the food in the second scene, plated with no signs of the delivery boxes, how that effects your enjoyment of the food?

And if you took away the nice table setting for the high end food, and placed the boxes of food in the middle of the table, to be self-served, would you feel quite as impressed with the food?

A simple way to make a dinner feel special is simply to treat the dinner as if it was special. Dress up the table, and make your family feel like they are important. Even if you bring in take out, it will make the food feel that much nicer.

Thank you,
Claire

Comments (16) -

Carla Barilá Karam

5/27/2012 8:36:03 AM #

Claire.. one of my favorite 90s movies! I love your points, very well made too. I could not agree with you more. The few times/month I may serve take out, more often than not I am exhausted {and do not want to do dishes}... however this would be a wonderful idea for when I'm not at my day's end.

Claire

5/27/2012 10:14:38 PM #

Thanks Carla,

It sounds like you already have a leg up by simply making most of your meals (I do as well). I've noticed that on the few times a year I serve take-out, that there is just a handful of plates and glasses to clean - which I can usually get my husband to do. (I plate up in the kitchen.) I do understand about the few days a month when you just don't want to cook, and to me that is the state of things sometimes.

Thanks,
Claire

Anne @ GreenEggs&Moms

5/27/2012 8:51:48 AM #

I think you made a great point with that movie. I'm always rushing to eat so meal times are nothing fancy.. I should make a bit of an effort to make it more appealing though.

Claire

5/27/2012 10:18:06 PM #

Thanks Anne,

It is easy to get into the rush and let it take over meals. I know that has happened to me from time to time. Setting a nice table and making sure your kids get to talk to you through it is such a great reward, and doesn't add that much time to the prep. I hope you find it as rewarding as I do.

Thanks,
Claire

Cheryl@OntheOldPath

5/27/2012 5:08:44 PM #

This is so true. I remember as a child we had an eat in kitchen and a dining room. When we would have supper in the dining room our whole demeanour would change. We sat taller in our chairs, remembered our please and thank-yous. The food was not necessarily different it was just the setting.

Claire

5/27/2012 10:19:56 PM #

Cheryl,

Thanks for sharing your memories. It is funny how a setting can change things, isn't it. It sounds like you had a wonderful childhood.

Thanks,
Claire

Pamela R

5/28/2012 2:56:30 AM #

Wonderful points in this pot--now a days -JUST EATING TOGETHER is a rare sight...but going out of the way to make a dinner fancy is always fun EVEN if it is take out =)

Claire

5/28/2012 10:03:25 PM #

Thanks Pamela,

Eating together is defiantly the first step! My hope is that if eating together is fun, people will want to do it more. And you are right, it is a rare sight these days.

Thanks,
Claire

marcia

5/28/2012 6:19:18 AM #

Wow! I never really thought about it, but presentation is everything!

Blessings,
Marcia

Claire

5/28/2012 10:06:01 PM #

Thanks Marcia,

I read once that we eat with our eyes, then with our smell, and then with our taste buds. We still need to make good tasting foods, but making them look good can win over a picky eater.

Thanks,
Claire

The Rebel Sweetheart

5/28/2012 7:24:37 PM #

I love Mrs. Doubtfire! Actually, I love Matthew Lawrence. Haha!

Claire

5/28/2012 10:06:53 PM #

I enjoyed the movie as well, and remember it all these years later

Thanks,
Claire

Christine G

5/29/2012 12:19:36 PM #

I agree that making dinner an event is important! It's not just about getting nutrition, it's a family event. Making the table look nice (as we would for any other event) is a great way to send a message to the family about the importance of dinner. Thanks for a fun and thoughtful post!

Claire

5/29/2012 7:54:58 PM #

Thanks Christine,

You are exactly right, it is about sending the family a message about the importance of dinner, and of the family. I can tell you already treat it as such.

Thanks,
Claire

willow

6/1/2012 9:10:15 AM #

our family loves this movie!!

Claire

6/1/2012 1:47:53 PM #

It is a favorite of ours as well.

Pingbacks and trackbacks (1)+

Add comment

Name* Required Please choose another name

E-mail*

Website

5+5 =

b i u quote

Comment
Preview

Your Child's Food

What Mrs. Doubtfire can Teach Us About Food Presentation

Comments (16) -

Pingbacks and trackbacks (1)+

Add comment