All scenarios
Food
Easy
Plates on tables, usually indoors, often near a window.
Lenses that suit this: 35mm–50mm. Do not get so close that the lens distorts the plate.
The guide
Starting point
1/125s, f/2.8–f/4, ISO 400–1600.
Use window light
Put the plate beside a window with the light coming from the side or behind. Turn off the ceiling lamp.
Why not f/1.8
At f/1.8 only one corner of the plate is sharp. f/2.8–f/4 keeps the whole dish readable.