Which Side Does the Fork Go on Again? Table Setting 101
Even the best entertainers forget how to set a table. For old pros and novice entertainers, we put together a quick primer on how to set a table.
With any big holiday meal or celebration, you want your table looking as good as possible for guests. There are lots of decisions to make that can influence the wow factor of your table, including the choice of tablecloth, placemat, napkin rings, and silverware, You’ll also surely be contemplating the centerpiece and other decor ideas to create the ultimate tablescape. But one category you don’t have to decide on is the proper table setting; general rules for both formal and informal table settings have existed long before you were born. Follow this guide and you’ll have one less thing to worry about before the guests arrive!
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Formal vs. informal place settings >>
How to set a table place setting >>
How to set a formal table setting >>
Optional extras at a place setting >>
Formal vs. informal place settings
You first need to determine how fancy your dinner is going to be. Typically, the more courses your dinner entails, the more special flatware and plates are required. That said, you shouldn't put out every piece of cutlery that you have; just put out the utensils guests will need for the foods you're actually serving.
Spacing at the table
You want your guests to be comfortable at the table, and part of making them comfortable is giving them enough space. It's important to leave about two feet of space between the center of each place setting and the next, so each of your guests has an ample amount of elbow room. Since the main dinner plate represents the center of the place setting, use that plate's position as the center marker for measuring the distance.
How to set a table place setting
The bare-bones, basic table setting is: Single plate in the middle, the fork to the left of the plate, the knife to the right of the plate and the spoon to the right of the knife. The blade of the knife should face the plate. The best way to remember this is by the brand stamp on the knife. The stamp should always face down so you can't see it. That places the blade of the knife toward the plate — if it's in the right position and you remember it's on the opposite side of the plate as the fork, you'll at least know where the fork and knife go.
How to set a formal table setting
Though the formal place setting seems complicated (and sometimes overwhelming), it's actually very practical. What you need to remember about the formal place setting is that the utensils are arranged in the same order as the courses of the meal, starting on the outside and working their way in. This way guests aren't fumbling over their forks and knives, and utensils can also be cleared away without friction.
The above image illustrates how a formal place setting should look. From the left side to the right side, the napkin is on the left, followed by the salad fork and the dinner fork. The dinner plate is the biggest plate and should be on the bottom of the stack of dishes, with the salad plate topping it and the soup bowl on top of that. To the right of the stack of dishes is the dinner knife with the blade facing in toward the plate. Next is the salad knife arranged next to the dinner spoon, and finally the soup spoon.
Optional extras at a place setting
At the top of the traditional place setting is where you put the specialty utensils and plates. The need for these items depends entirely on the menu you’re serving.
The butter knife tops the bread plate (assuming you’re serving bread!), which is positioned above the dinner plate and to the left. Directly above the dinner plate are the dessert spoon and dessert fork. If the formal setting is too cumbersome, you can provide the dessert fork and spoon when dessert is served. And remember: If there's something you're not serving, you shouldn't put out the utensil that goes with it (No soup? Don't put out a soup spoon.).
Cups and glasses
Drinkware should be placed on the upper right-hand side of the place setting, with the largest glass placed closest to the center of the setting. The water glass is the biggest followed by the red wine glass and the smaller white wine glass. Like with the plates and utensils, put out only the glasses you will be using. That means if you're not serving white wine, you don't need to put out the white wine glass.
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