Flatware placement tricks
4 min readCasual table setting tricks? Don’t fret if you do not have every utensil known to mankind. Salad and luncheon forks can often double as dessert forks, in our own set a fish fork doubles as the dessert fork (though we don’t suggest substituting an oyster fork for a dessert or salad fork – that might be going a tad too far.) The basic or casual table setting can be even more casual than what is pictured here. Many families (and restaurants) regularly set the table casually in one of two ways. All utensils are placed on the napkin: The napkin is placed to the left of the setting with the fork, knife (blade facing the fork) and spoon placed in that order on top of the napkin. The napkin to the left with the fork resting on top of it. To the right of the plate is the knife (blade facing in toward the fork and plate) and a spoon (if necessary) set to the right of the knife. The water glass is placed above the knife or at 45 degree angle to the right of the knife.
If you’re hosting an elegant dinner party, you might want to know how to set a table for a three-course meal. Real Simple home editor Stephanie Sisco says the biggest difference between a casual table and a formal table is the use of chargers, also known as presentation plates. Traditionally, formal place settings also tend to forgo placemats, but she says you can opt to use a round placemat underneath a charger for an even more formal look. A formal table setting includes many pieces: a tablecloth, chargers, dinner plates, soup bowls, salad plates, bread plates, napkins, salad forks, dinner forks, knives, soup spoons, butter knives, dessert spoons, water glasses, red wine glasses, and white wine glasses. Though this may sound overwhelming, if you know how to set a casual table, it’s a very easy leap to knowing how to set a table with charger plates. To see all of this in motion, check out this video on how to lay out a proper table setting.
The dinner fork is placed closest to the plate. It is usually 7 inches and has four shark prongs. The dinner fork is used for any main course meal and is by far the largest fork on the table. The dinner knife is the first thing closest to the plate on the right side. It is slightly sharp-edged and is about 7 inches. The dinner knife is used for eating any main course dish. The fish knife is an optional choice. Often when there is a fish appetizer served, a fish-based main course dish would also follow. This is an oddly shaped knife, which helps with almost all seafood. The salad knife is a blunt five and a half inch knife that is kept at the right end of all the knives. This is always the first knife to be used. Discover additional info at An Essential Guide to Table Setting and Silverware Placement.
Is there any Silverware made in the USA? While a number of US companies used to manufacture silverware, it has become prohibitively expensive for them to continue doing so. As a result, one of the very few companies that are still producing this essential item in the US is called Liberty Tabletop by Sherrill Manufacturing. This specific company manufactures a wide range of silverware products that are of exceptionally high quality – at excellent prices as well. In addition to top-quality silverware, this company produces a range of other kitchen items like cutting boards, pots, and pans. At present, this company is only able to ship its products within the USA and Canada – at very good rates.
Lastly, put the soup spoon after the fish knife, which would be the farthest away from the plate. This makes it convenient for the diner to use the spoon since soup is usually served after the salad. Place a dessert fork and spoon above the plate, with the fork pointing towards the right. Then set a spoon above the fork, pointing towards the left. If you are planning on serving any bread, put a bread plate diagonal to the forks. Do not forget to place a butter knife whose handle is pointing towards the diner’s right hand. Lastly, place a water glass at the top right of the plate, above the table knives. If you are planning on serving wine, you can put the wine glass next to the water glass on the right-hand side. Find additional information at here.