The Tweezer Times

By Lisa Golden Schroeder

Those of us in this business hopefully “get” the title to this publication. But sometimes I have to define it…and I just spent two days really working this angle of our work. As much as we love to style loosely and naturally, plating gorgeous recipes or artistically staging photos good enough to eat, the reality of commercial work is all about pleasing our clients. Two days of styling test shots for new frozen dinner packaging drained much of my usually ebullient creativity.  Placing peas with a pair of tweezers and trying to make a frozen dinner look appetizing and natural illustrates the amazing realm of the jobs we’re called to do. This is not the glamorous career that many think we have–it can be down and dirty. Thawing freezer burned vegetables and pouches of sauces only a food technologist could love. Sorting out undented peas, chunks of meat with a nice texture, slices of carrot with smoothly round sides. And reassembling meals so they look like something your family will beg for–or at least eat on a busy weeknight. Homestyle, family friendly, comfort food…whatever it’s called. So here’s a snapshot of the ubiquitous spatula of “stuff” with a biscuit on top. Almost ready to be delivered to a dinner table near you!