Plates & Platters
Plates and platters form the core of any commercial crockery range, covering everything from side plates to large sharing platters used in pubs, cafés, hotels, restaurants and care homes. The key buying consideration is diameter matched to course — typically 15-18cm for side plates up to 30cm+ for large mains or sharing platters — plus a vitrified porcelain or stoneware body for chip resistance under stacking. “Catering plates” and “commercial plates” are the plain buyer terms.
Key specifications
The plates range covers every course size: side plates at 15-18cm, dessert and starter plates at 15-23cm, dinner plates at 26-31cm, wide pizza plates at 30-34cm, and sharing platters from 30cm up to 50cm-plus. Most are vitrified porcelain or stoneware for chip resistance and dishwasher durability, with bone china at the premium end and stainless, slate or wood for buffet and rustic presentation. Across the range the priorities are diameter matched to the course, a rimmed or coupe shape to suit the plating style, a stackable footprint for storage, and matching finishes across a range so table settings stay consistent for pubs, cafés, hotels, restaurants and care-home dining.
Plates & Platters — FAQs
What plate size suits a main course versus a starter?
Main course plates typically run 26-31cm in diameter, while starter and side plates run 15-23cm — choosing the right size prevents food looking lost or overcrowded.
Porcelain or stoneware plates for a gastropub?
Stoneware plates give a rustic, artisanal look popular in gastropubs and suit rimmed or organic-edge designs, while porcelain is lighter, more chip-resistant and better suited to high-cover hotel and restaurant turnover.
Are commercial plates stackable for storage?
Yes, catering plate ranges are designed with reinforced footrings so they stack safely in tall columns without chipping, which is essential for space-limited kitchen pass areas.