platter

A platter is a big plate or tray used for serving food.

When people are eating out at restaurants, they often get served their meals on a platter. It's usually made of ceramic or metal and has many sections to hold different dishes like meat, vegetables, and sauces. Imagine you're having a big Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings - your turkey might be placed proudly in the center of a large platter, surrounded by delicious side dishes. You can also see platters at buffets where people serve themselves food and then carry it back to their seats on the platter.