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Cutlery in a Formal Table Setting

A dinner is not complete without the proper cutlery. The pieces should be made out of silver, but they do not have to match, but patterns should match similar pieces. There are many pieces of cutlery that can grace a table, but the following is the typical setting you will see at a more formal meal.

To the left of the setting you will see the forks. Traditionally, these will be the fish fork, salad fork, and dinner fork. The fish fork is for picking bones out of fish. If a shrimp cocktail is to be served, this fork will appear on the plate that is served on.

Salad forks are smaller and heavier then the dinner fork, and contain one less tine then the dinner fork. You should remember that the salad fork is used just for that course and should not be used for the main course. The dinner fork comes last and is nearest to the plate. This is a longer fork and can also be referred to as a meat fork. Both of these will appear at the place setting, and will not be brought out with those courses.

To the right of the plate lies a service Knife and this is for the entr?e and to cut meat. It is also the largest knife in the place setting. Next to that is a Fish Knife which is used in conjunction with the fish fork, although it may be absent. Knives are always placed with the blade facing in toward the plate.

On the far right is a soup spoon, and that is used in what is traditionally a first course after the hors d'oeuvre. This is a larger spoon then one served with coffee or dessert and is almost the same length as the Dinner Knife and fork.

Above the forks is another, smaller knife. This is usually on a plate at a slight diagonal with the blade pointing to the forks, and it is a butter knife. The smallest of the knives at the place setting, this knife is used for the buttering of the bread or rolls only and will remain on the bread plate throughout the meal.

Horizontally, above the dinner plate are the dessert spoon and cake fork. They are placed with the ends of the cutlery facing opposite directions. The dessert spoon is also seen with coffee, and is commonly called a teaspoon. The dessert fork can also be the same piece as a salad fork, but the position above the dinner plate distinguishes it function for cake or other desserts. These, too, may appear just with the dessert, and may be absent from the place setting when you sit down to the meal.

This is the basis to a typical setting. There may be a need for specialized cutlery, depending on the meal, but the rule of etiquette is to use cutlery from the outside of the plate inwards. In this manner, you can be assured that you will always use the proper piece at the proper course.

About the Author

Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer. Her current area of specialism is
bed frames
,
dresser
and
side table

Making A Butter Knife