To set your basic table, you will need a charger plate, a knife and fork, a water glass and a napkin. You can set your basic table setting up following the general rules above – there are no hidden extras here!
To set a formal table, you'll need a table cloth, charger, 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.
While there are several ways to set the table, the majority are variations on three main table settings: basic, casual, and formal.
An immaculately set table demonstrates uniformity and consistency of the eating establishment. More importantly, it showcases that cleanliness and hygiene are utmost priority. Table settings must be complete; having all the necessary tableware, centerpieces, napkins and condiments.
The three most common types of table settings are formal, casual, and basic. Each place setting includes the utensils and dinnerware pieces that would normally be used with the corresponding style of dining. For instance, a formal table setting will provide more utensils because there are more courses.
Napkins should be placed to the left of the forks. If there is more than one fork, the napkin should be placed between the forks. If there is a soup spoon, it should be placed to the right of the forks, with the napkin placed to the left of the soup spoon.
Cutlery placement
2. Forks should be set to the left of the plate, with knives placed to the right, blade edges facing inwards Soup spoons should be placed on the right of the knives. 3. Place the dessert fork and dessert spoon above the plate, with the fork prongs facing right and the spoon bowl facing left.
Step 2: Place the dinner plate in the center of the table setting. Step 3: The fork is placed to the left of the plate. Place the knife to the right of the dinner plate and then set the spoon to the right of the knife. Step 4: Set the water glass in the top right corner, above the knife.
Setting a table properly has always been important. It shows guests that they are welcome, and it also sets the tone, of formality while eating, which ensures that people get along, dine in comfort, and enjoy a convivial experience.
Chargers are always removed from the table after all guests are finished eating the main entree. Chargers should then be taken away with the dinner plate still on top, as this clears the table and leaves it ready for dessert to be served.
Remember always to use the cutlery from the outside first, working inwards for each course. Forks: When forks are placed on the left side of the plate, the first fork to use will be the outside one, perhaps for an appetizer or salad.
The fork is placed to the left of the plate, often on top of the napkin. To the right of the plate, place the knife with the sharp edge facing the plate. The spoon goes to the right of the knife. Finally, place the glass above and to the right of the plate.
The salad plate is placed to the left of the forks. Small plates, such as the salad plate, fish plate, and dessert plate, are laid about two (2) inches in from the edge of the table. The dinner knife is placed on the right side, and directly next to and one (1) inch away from, the plate.
If you're serving a dinner salad as the main course of the meal, the salad bowl should be placed in the center of the place setting where the dinner plate would ordinarily be. If you have an additional plate for items such as bread, this should be placed directly above the forks.
The coffee cup and saucer are placed above and to the right of the knife and spoons. At home, most people serve coffee after the meal.
To get started, place the water glasses to the right of the plate, just above the main dining knife, and set wine glasses to the right of the water glasses in the order in which they'll be used. As for utensils, don't be overwhelmed—there are really just a few rules to live by: Forks go on the left.