What is an example of a functional garnish?

A functional garnish is one that not only adds visual appeal to a dish but also serves a purpose in enhancing the flavor or providing additional context to the main ingredients. A lemon wedge on seafood exemplifies this because it complements the dish by adding acidity that can brighten flavors, balance richness, and enhance the overall taste experience.

In contrast, while the other options may also add visual appeal and flavor, they do not serve the same multifunctional role in most culinary applications. For instance, chopped parsley may enhance presentation and offer a mild flavor, but it is typically more decorative than functional. Grated cheese on pasta provides flavor and can enhance the dish, yet it primarily serves as a topping rather than a complementing component like lemon does with seafood. Cucumber slices on a salad improve texture and appearance, but they do not have the same acidic quality that enhances the flavor profile of the seafood. Thus, the lemon wedge is the clearest example of a functional garnish in this context.