For most people, a clocheāthe dome-shaped covering for a dish thatās removed before servingāis only ever encountered on-screen, likely in the hands of a butler in an English period drama. Not only does the word itself sound haughty (it comes from the French word for bell), it is a fundamentally theatrical object, existing to conceal and reveal foodāor on occasion, a severed head. Why, if youāre not an old-timey aristocrat or movie villain, would you have use for a cloche?
The answer is bugs.
If youāve ever had the pleasure of eating outside, youāre probably aware that bugs exist, and they often want some of what youāre having. Particularly at this time of year, when grilling season and warm weather entice people into maximum alfresco dining, the presence of bugs can be a nuisance for which thereās rarely an elegant solution. Did somebody say elegant? Letās bring in the cloche.
Specifically, letās talk about a mesh cloche, which is different from the glinting silver semi-sphere discussed earlier. Dome-shaped but made of stiff wire mesh or cloth, this cloche is far from frivolous and is an excellent tool for any outside dining plans.
First and foremost, it can keep insects out of your food, saving you from sitting and swatting your hand over the salad to keep flies away. Especially if youāre setting up a large buffet spread of dishes for a family-style meal outdoors with your pod, using mesh coverings takes a little bit of the pressure off when it comes to timing: Just put the food out there, cloche it, and finish bringing everything else to the table. Also, thereās no harm in keeping them on during the meal, as itās easy to pick up the lid, serve yourself more food, then plop it back down, in comparison with wrap, foil, or cloth, which can blow away in the wind, fall into the food, or require two hands for proper recovering.
And while Iām making an argument for the practicality of mesh cloches, I canāt not mention the visual appeal they bring to the table. They are, hands down, the most exciting way to present and cover food. Everybody loves a reveal. With a flick of your wrist, your guests will get a little dramatic flair.
