Olympia Tapas

A tapas dish is a small plate or bowl holding a single share item placed in the centre of a table. It is sized so several dishes fit on one table at once, which is what separates it from a side plate or entree plate.

Tapas service puts many small pieces on a table and through the wash at the same time. Stacking dishes store in a fraction of the shelf space and can be cleared from a table in one movement rather than one plate at a time.

A ramekin is a small straight-sided dish used for sauces, dips, condiments, olives and portioned sides. In tapas service it separates a wet item from the dry items on the table so flavours do not run together.

Tapas dishes turn over faster than main plates because each table uses several at once. Count the share items on your menu against expected covers, then allow for the pieces sitting in the wash during service.

A matt finish is a non-reflective glaze rather than a glossy one. It does not change how a piece is washed or stacked, but it absorbs light rather than bouncing it, which suits the rustic look used for share plates.