Basic rules for table setting techniques. Basic rules for table setting: selection and arrangement of dishes, cutlery, napkins

Compliance with table setting etiquette primarily indicates good attitude the owner of the house to the guests. However, in Lately you can find a properly set table only at various kinds official events, banquets or buffets. You need to please your loved ones on ordinary days, creating a festive atmosphere with the help of colorful decorations. In this article we will talk about the basic rules of table setting, various directions and interesting ways decoration.

Table etiquette or how to properly set the table

If you are invited to a dinner party for the first time, the number of cutlery and their order can be confusing. A well-organized festive dinner means proper placement of cutlery on the table, adherence to table etiquette and decoration appropriate for the event. To learn how to use cutlery correctly, you need to understand a few points.

Rule No. 1: forks, spoons, knives are placed in the order in which dishes are served (appetizers, soup, meat or fish, fruit, dessert). Each item on the table plays its role.

General rules for table setting suggest the following tableware arrangement patterns:

• a snack plate is placed in front of the guest;
• on the left is a cake plate or paper napkin with additional cutlery;
• on the right are knives and spoons, and on the left are forks;
• Wine glasses and glasses, as well as dessert cutlery, are placed in front of the main plate;
• There is a napkin on the appetizer plate.

Rule No. 2: serving items should be used for their intended purpose. The utensils located on the right side are taken and held while eating right hand, and those on the left - with the left hand.

The question of how to use a knife deserves special attention. It is necessary that the end of the handle rests in the palm of the right hand, the thumb and middle fingers clasp the base of the knife from the side, and the index finger lies on the surface of the handle. This will make it more convenient for you to cut off the desired piece of meat or fish, and you won’t have to blush in front of strangers.

Rule No. 3: table decoration involves the use of all kinds of decorative elements: a white ironed tablecloth, lace napkins, colorful runners and fragrant flowers.

To better understand the principle of table etiquette, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the video material presented below. You will learn a lot of useful things and forget about the problem forever misuse cutlery.

On video: serving and serving rules.

Scheme and sequence

There is no single correct option for setting the table, because each country has different traditions regarding this issue. Much also depends on the menu, the number of dishes and their focus. Do not forget that depending on the time of day, the design of the kitchen or dining room can vary greatly.

It is customary to set the table according to the following order: tablecloth, dishes and cutlery, wine glasses, glasses, glasses, napkins, decor.

Let's start with the tablecloth - it should be perfectly ironed and match the nature of the event. So, for a dinner party, models in neutral shades are suitable, and for a Sunday tomorrow with the family, there is nothing better than a bright tablecloth and napkins with unusual designs. Average length of this product is 25 cm. This figure is far from accidental - an excessively large descent of the tablecloth will look sloppy, and a small one will look awkward.

The smoothed fabric should cover the entire surface, and the corners should fall against the table legs, covering them evenly.

Choose a tablecloth that is the right size

Next comes the arrangement of dishes and cutlery. In a number of European countries, and in Russia too, it is customary to first exhibit porcelain and glass plates, saucers, wine glasses and glasses. When setting the table, it is important to consider that all items will change depending on how the dishes are served. That is why it is better to place dishes and cutlery at a distance of 1 cm from each other, starting from the edge of the table.

Selection and placement of tablecloths and runners

Every housewife keeps an elegant white tablecloth in her closet. However, you should not limit yourself to just one model; now in stores there is wide choose products of the most different sizes, colors and style. For rectangular tables, tablecloths 50 cm longer than the tabletop are suitable, and for round or oval tables - 100 cm wider than the diameter of the table.

Designers insist that the color of the tablecloth be combined with the shade of the curtains and the overall style of the room. The main thing is to iron the fabric well, and the choice of colors depends only on the preferences of the residents of the house. You can choose a traditional beige or white bed, or choose a more custom option.

Another new way to decorate a table is to use plain table runners and placemats. You can see examples of such decoration in the photo below.

Plates placement

First, deep, wooden or salad plates are placed on napkins or special tracks. Not far from them are tea utensils and dishes for desserts. The distance from the edge of the table to the dishes should be about 1.5-2 cm. It is also recommended to place a paper napkin under the appetizer plate so that it does not slide on the tablecloth.

Next in order is the layout of the cutlery. According to the rules of etiquette, they are laid out according to the number of courses, placed reverse side to the table. On the right are spoons and knives, on the left are forks. In most cases, there is one set of cutlery for each person.

If you want to amaze your guests, you can additionally set the table with bright glasses, glasses, special forks, tea and dessert spoons.

Serving glasses, glasses, wine glasses

The plates are followed by glasses - they are arranged from largest to smallest. The choice of items depends on the guests' preferences regarding certain drinks. These can be glasses for water, glasses for white or red wine, glasses for juice, as well as glasses for strong drinks.

Glasses are located on the right, glasses on the left, forming straight line. It is allowed to arrange dishes and cutlery in two rows if there are a large number of participants in the event.

Before serving glasses on the table, make sure the dishes are clean. All items must be thoroughly washed, wiped with a towel and made sure there are no chips or other defects.

Selecting and serving napkins

Classic table setting involves the use of plain napkins in neutral shades. As with the arrangement of cutlery, there are no clear rules for the placement of napkins. They can be beautifully stacked next to a snack plate (designed for bread, tarts and salads) or placed in a water glass, decorated with decorative rings and ribbons.

If you're setting the table for dinner, simply place napkins on the side of each plate, as shown below.

On video: how to properly set the table.

Table decor (finishing)

An excellent option for table decor is a tablecloth made of synthetic material. This solution is suitable for both home gatherings and a festive dinner, the main thing is to choose the right color. It is easy to care for such a tablecloth - it does not wrinkle, does not wear out and retains its original appearance for a long time. appearance. As an addition, fabric napkins, plates, and lace runners are used.

To make your living room interior elegant, cozy and unforgettable, place a bouquet of fresh flowers, a bowl of fruit, an antique sugar bowl and crystal glasses on the table.

Cutlery in modern style They are distinguished by a variety of shapes, shades and their unique functional features.

Types of serving

The table decoration may vary depending on the time of day and the nature of the festive dinner. In this case, banquet, buffet, tea and coffee serving are distinguished. However, certain differences exist. Breakfast requires a minimum number of dishes to serve the table, and during dinner there is always a large number of dishes and cutlery on the table.

For breakfast (+ Sunday breakfast)

This is the simplest type of table setting. Snack plates are placed first, then cups, glasses and small saucers. A teaspoon is placed on top of the latter. If your family uses egg cups or butter bowls, don't forget a teaspoon. A deep bowl (for porridge or cereal) is placed on a snack plate.

Sunday breakfast cannot be imagined without tea, which is why there is a coffee pot or teapot in the center.

You can decorate the table with flowers, unusual napkins and various decorative elements. Family Sunday breakfasts are becoming a good tradition in many homes; they bring loved ones closer to each other. The key point in setting the table for breakfast is to create a good mood and comfort during the meal.

Dining

There are several types of table settings for dinner. It all depends on the number of dishes and their nature. Cover the table with a white tablecloth, place one flat and one deep plate (for soup or salad). If there are dishes on the menu that cannot be eaten from shared dishes, add a snack plate. Arrange cutlery according to proper etiquette. Beautifully folded napkins are perfect for table decoration.

A distinctive feature of the table setting for dinner is the installation of a salt shaker and other items for spices and seasonings.

Full evening

You can set the table not only for family members, relatives or friends, but also for unfamiliar guests. Preliminary serving in accordance with all the canons is the key to the success of any dinner party, because everyone should be comfortable and comfortable. Table decor creates special atmosphere, which is conducive to sincere conversations, wonderful memories and plans for the future.

For the holiday to be a success, it is necessary to observe following rules table etiquette:

• A perfectly clean, ironed tablecloth. It is advisable that the product be made of thick fabric (this will prevent the dishes from clinking when dropped and protect the surface from spilled liquid).
• To decorate a festive table, it is not acceptable to use dishes and cutlery of different colors. Give preference to monochromatic options from one set. All decorative elements (vases, coasters, napkin rings) should be sparkling clean, the same goes for dishes.
• It is prohibited to serve corked bottles of champagne or wine. All alcoholic drinks are served in open bottles and then poured into wine glasses. One cloth napkin is placed next to the glasses.

Banquet room

Banquet service is not much different from full evening service, but there are some peculiarities of this type registration So, shallow plates are placed at a distance of 1 cm from each other, starting from the center, first on one side, then on the other. They should be clearly opposite one another. Snack and pie saucers are placed on these plates. Next stage– placement of cutlery at a distance of 0.5 cm from a shallow plate.

A distinctive feature of the banquet is the decoration of the table with special personalized cards, which indicate personal information event participant. They are located to the left of the wine glasses.

Buffet room

Buffet table setting is becoming increasingly popular; it is used at private parties, official events and during informal communication between business partners. There are two options: one-sided and two-sided serving. Each has its own distinctive features. In the first case, the table is decorated only on one side and is placed near the wall. The second one is usually used at corporate events, weddings and anniversaries.

Serving is done on both sides in accordance with a special scheme. The main thing is that you can take the dish without special effort(therefore the table occupies the entire central part of the room).

When serving a buffet, it is especially important to maintain equal intervals between cutlery and other items. They start setting the table by arranging glass and crystal dishes, after which vases with flowers and bottles of alcoholic drinks are placed in the center of the table.

The labels on the bottles should be facing the same direction. In certain situations (when there are many guests), a separate table is allocated for drinks and snacks.

Coffee shop

The nature and basic provisions of coffee etiquette directly depend on the drinks chosen. It can be Turkish coffee, classic coffee, Italian expresso. Stronger drinks prepared on the stove are served in porcelain cups from one set. A geyser coffee maker can help you create the perfect coffee drink - this is an ancient secret of the peoples of the East.

When pouring coffee, make sure that the cups are only two-thirds full (this allows guests to add a little milk or cream).

Coffee table setting includes three elements - a saucer, a cup and a teaspoon. Additional items include a dessert plate that can hold cakes, and cutlery for fruit or sweets. The arrangement of dishes should begin with desserts. When all the guests have arrived, you can start preparing drinks.

Teahouse

If each guest is assigned a certain place at the table, then the basis for serving is the principle that a cup and saucer with the necessary list of cutlery and a small plate for desserts are placed in front of each participant in the tea party. The main dish is located in the center of the table. This could be a bowl of pastries, a cake, an apple pie, a bowl of fruit.

Particular attention is paid to the decor; all elements must be evenly spaced around the perimeter of the table. It is customary to leave the teapot and the kettle with boiling water on the edge. In the case of a samovar, it is placed clearly in the center.

When inviting friends for tea, make sure that you have enough tea sets (it is better if there are 1-2 more than the expected guests).

In conclusion, it is worth adding that table setting is, first of all, an individual design of the surrounding space. Don't limit yourself to just one arrangement of objects; show your imagination and decorate the table with incredible decor and fresh flowers. Informal creativity and compliance classical rules table etiquette is the key to a successful holiday dinner, Sunday morning and friendly gatherings with friends over a cup of aromatic coffee.

10 etiquette secrets from aristocrats (1 video)

Since ancient times, celebrations have been accompanied by feasts, and it was then that customs and rules for table setting began to take shape. Over the years, they have been honed, turning into unique rituals. Some of them smoothly flowed into everyday life.

Introduction to Dining Etiquette

Many table settings, shown in films and TV series or described in books, are frightening because of their complexity. There are many devices, the purpose of which is not always clear. A variety of dishes that are scary to approach, and wine glasses of all sorts of shapes and sizes for who knows what drink. But everything is not as scary as it seems at first glance.

The basic rule of table etiquette is “from the edges to the center.” As dishes change, utensils are used that are located further and further from the plate. The same applies to glasses and shot glasses, changing from left to right.

Table etiquette includes rules for serving dishes, the order in which cutlery is used, as well as table manners and basic politeness. The basic rules of etiquette include:

• the location of the napkin is strictly on the knees;
• “Thank you” and “Please” must be said both when making requests and when fulfilling them;
• It is not customary to slouch while sitting at a table;
• men sit at the table after women, having first pulled out a chair for them;
• late for festive event is regarded as disrespect:
• elbows on the table are a sign of bad manners;
• you should not start eating if your dinner companions have not yet received their plates;
• the knife must be held exclusively in the right hand;
• fork and spoon - ideal combination for long pasta;

• It is indecent to cut or bite baked goods; you should eat them in small pieces, broken off from the whole;
• a device dropped on the floor must be replaced;
• well-mannered people chew with their mouths closed;
• slurping in society is indecent;
• bad form - eating with a knife;
• Before pouring a drink, offer it to your neighbors;
• no need to be greedy when serving from a common plate;
• you need to close your eyes to violations of table etiquette by your interlocutor;
• A little half-eaten soup is better than a tilted plate;
• When using a knife and fork, use your strength to chew immediately without biting;
• cutlery laid crosswise means that you are waiting for the next dish, folded in parallel - a sign of the finished meal;
• In any awkward situation, you should apologize.

Purpose of the dishes

As mentioned above, there can be a lot of cutlery on a set table, but not all of them are there at once. Today, there are a lot of different cutlery designed strictly for a specific type of dish.

It is unacceptable to use them for eating other types of dishes, and so that those unfamiliar with complex serving guests are not confused by the variety of cutlery; they are advised to arrange them in the order in which the dishes are planned to be served.

The general rule applies "from the central plate to the sides."

Types and purpose of spoons:

• dining room, oblong - for soup;
• broth - round shape, otherwise indistinguishable from soup;
• dessert room, smaller than the dining room;
• tea room;
• coffee - less than tea;
• for ice cream - has the same dimensions as a coffee bar, but longer;
• salad - served in a plate along with salad;
• for caviar - another small spoon, resembling a shell;
• pate – general cutlery for all guests;
• sugar scoop;
• sauce ladle - served with a gravy boat.

Forks:

• dining room - for main courses;
• dessert;
• for spaghetti – has five teeth, makes it easier to wrap pasta;
• for sprat - a common device;
• for seafood - a two-pronged fork;
• for shellfish - with three teeth, the largest of which separates the meat from the shell;
• herring - a two-pronged fork for transferring herring from a common dish;
• salad - served in a plate with salad;
• cocotte - an elegant tridental fork used for applying julienne;
• lemon - used for arranging pieces;
• for olives;
• for fruits – used for cut or small fruits.

Knives:

• the dining room, its prerogative is main courses;
• snack bar;
• meat - served along with the dish;
• fish;
• cheese - used only for cutting;
• oil - general device;
• fruity – served for unpeeled fruits.

All tongs (except the last ones) are used by all diners together:

1. for ice;
2. confectionery;
3. asparagus;
4. for spaghetti;
5. salad;
6. for lobsters.

The very name of such tableware will tell the owners which tongs to put next to the salad bowl or in a bucket of ice.

Dishes:

• soup - better wide and shallow;
• bowl - narrow, small in diameter, very suitable for cream soups and broths;
• snack bar - usually flat;
• dessert, served only for confectionery products;
• fish - a common dish for all guests;
• chill mold - a small ladle for julienne;
• Menazhnitsa is a sign that a buffet is organized at the celebration;
• herring bowl - an oblong shaped dish;
• egg;
• saucer - used as a stand for cups;
• socket;
• creamer - used for jellies, mousses and ice cream.

Wine glasses and glasses:

• high for champagne;
• wine (separately for white and red varieties);
• liqueur;
• cognac;
• for martini.

Glasses:

• for whiskey;
• for cocktails;
• punch;
• for juice and water.

As well as glasses for vodka and other drinks of comparable strength.

Cups:

• tea - on a saucer with a corresponding spoon;
• small cylindrical - for espresso;
• with cappuccino;
• for the look.

As can be seen from all of the above, there are a lot of serving items. Don't be scared, because the names of each speak for themselves. The utensils used to serve dishes from common utensils are shared.

Is color important?

Color is always important, and their harmonious combination will help in design. A white tablecloth is a tribute to tradition; it matches almost all colors of dishes. Variegated dishes look advantageous on a plain tablecloth, but for a plain set, you can equally choose both tablecloth options. Napkins should be in harmony with the tablecloth.

It may seem that a black and white table setting is something out of scope, but it is not. The harmonious combination of these two colors can add special charisma to the reception.

The combination of purple and mint (green) looks very fresh, the red color adds solemnity. Silver and gold are integral attributes of a wedding. A dinner in honor of a man should be laconic, with white dishes and contrasting napkins. Bright colors are the right solution for a bachelorette party.

Arrangement rules

You shouldn’t put too many cutlery on the table; it’s better to leave some free space. No matter how many changes of dishes are planned, it is better to take out the required utensils and items with a new serving. In the picture below you can see an example of proper serving.

As can be seen from the image, knives and spoons are always placed to the right of the plate (except for the oyster fork). Above them are wine glasses. To the left of the plate are forks, with a pie plate above them. Dessert cutlery should be placed above the plate. As mentioned above, the location of devices depends on the order in which they are used.

The napkin should be placed on a serving plate. Before serving dishes, it must be laid out on your lap. Shared dishes must be arranged symmetrically.

Serving sequence

You need to place dishes for a new dish only after the previous shift has been cleared. It is recommended to arrange the devices at the same time.

Appetizers are served first - first cold, and then hot. They are followed by the first course (soup), followed by the second course: fish, meat. Dessert is served before fruit, which concludes the meal.

In appetizers and cold main courses, you should move from fish to meat, then to vegetables and mushrooms, and finally to dairy (cheeses).

The serving sequence is observed to avoid loss of appetite and dulling of taste. Of course, everyone has the right not to eat what they don’t like, especially if everything is on the table at once.

The main thing is to remember the serving order and do not return to the previous dish.

What to do after eating?

If you have finished your meal, roll the napkin from your lap, hiding the soiled parts. You need to place it in the place of your plate, or if it is occupied, to the left of it.

At the end of the meal, the cutlery should be placed on a plate. The knife and fork are placed parallel to each other. The instrument handles should be directed to the right and down. The blade of the knife should be directed inside the plate, as well as the convex part of the fork.

After eating liquid food, utensils should be left in the plate or bowl in which the dish was served. Scolding a cook is considered in bad taste, as well as outright lying about how much you liked everything. It's better to highlight something that you really liked.

Reminder for every day

You need to set the table not only for guests, you can do it every day for yourself.

Breakfast is the start of the day and can be enjoyed beautifully. It is better to place the plate for the main course in the center, in front of you. It is better to place the fork or spoon on the left, and the knife on the right. You can place a tea cup and saucer over the knife, and bread over the fork.

At home, it is quite possible to dine on two courses. Let's take soup and pasta as an example. Under the deep plate we will place a plate for the second one, which will serve as a serving plate. There will be bread diagonally on the left, and on the right you can put a glass of water and a cup of coffee. Traditionally, the spoon and fork will be located on the right and left, respectively.

Dinner can be the perfect ending working day. You just need to add a couple of cutlery and arrange the wine glasses according to the wine glass. Paper napkins are placed on the left.

Examples of a beautiful table

There are a lot of options for table setting.

As mentioned earlier, black and white color will add solemnity and special chic. Black stripes of fabric and candles harmonize perfectly with gilded cutlery. The white tablecloth echoes the napkins and roses, and the snow-colored glasses and plates go perfectly with all of the above.

A white tablecloth on a round table with soft pink napkins and flowers in a vase will be an excellent holiday decoration in women's team. Glass candlesticks in tone with the flowers and napkins, the shape echoing the glasses, fill the atmosphere with coziness.

To create a beautiful table you don’t have to invent something special. A service with unobtrusive cream painting and a bouquet of flowers standing on a white tablecloth is everything you need for a small family dinner.

Turquoise wine glasses, napkins and tiny gift boxes are perfect for a celebration, and flowers that match the tablecloth will only lift your spirits.

The arrangement of fruits is very simple - you can simply cut them into plates. However, you can create an entire installation that will become a real decoration for the holiday.

And, of course, don't forget about alcohol. Buffet tables can be located in in different order, forming various figures. The glasses are arranged on them like a snake, a glass Christmas tree or triangles. And a pyramid of wine glasses can create a real sensation.

A creative approach can be found to everything. Table etiquette isn't that strict. You can arrange your own banquet, unforgettable and unlike any other.

You can learn about the correct layout of cutlery from the following video.

Proper serving is always a sign of attention to guests, a way to create a festive atmosphere, and also an indicator of the artistic taste of the hostess.

• In this material we will look at the rules of informal serving, that is, those that are appropriate for receiving guests at home in Everyday life and on holidays.
• Serving at home depends on the occasion, time of day, theme and menu, but in all cases the purpose of serving is the same - to arrange the dishes and cutlery so that it is convenient and pleasant for the diners to eat.

Based on this goal, table setting rules were invented. In everyday life, all these canons need to be observed only on the most solemn occasions, but once you have mastered their essence, you will be able to set the table with your own hands for any occasion - from a romantic dinner to a family New Year celebration.

Before you begin, take a look at two sample table settings. As you can see, setting a home holiday table for guests is much easier than setting a formal reception!

So, how to set the table? We have compiled step by step instructions in a certain sequence, describing each of the stages. In short, the most convenient procedure is as follows:

• Tablecloth – Plates – Cutlery – Glasses – Napkins – Decor (vase with flowers, candles, themed decorations).

Keep in mind that a few days before the event you need to resolve all organizational issues and prepare:

• Decide on the number of people, create a menu, tidy up the tablecloth, check the quantity and quality of napkins, dishes, cutlery, and think about the decor.

On the day of receiving guests, wipe all dishes and cutlery clean, and then start setting the table.

Step 1. First lay the tablecloth

The main thing here is to make sure that the overhang of the tablecloth is no more and no less than 20-30 cm. A shorter overhang will look ugly, and a longer overhang will be inconvenient for those sitting at the table.

As for the color, you can choose either the win-win and traditional white, or lay down any option you like, complement it with runners and underplates as shown in the photo.

Here are examples of festive table settings at home without a tablecloth at all.

Step 2. Lay out the plates

This part of the “serving” theory will be the most extensive. After all, the composition and combination of plates depends on the planned menu, the number of guests and the scale of the holiday.

According to the classic rules of table setting, one person can have several plates:

• A large substitute plate (serving) - for a daytime and everyday table it is not necessary, and some serving styles (for example, rustic) allow its absence. The photo below shows examples of serving with and without a substitution plate.

You may also need: medium (snack), small (pie or dessert) and deep soup bowl.

• According to the canon, the type of deep plate depends on the type of soup. For thick soups, choose a wide one (photo on the left); for light broth or cream soup, choose a bowl with or without handles (photo on the right). But this is precisely the rule that can easily be ignored.

As for the arrangement of plates, appetizer or deep plates are placed on wildcards, dessert and/or salad plates are placed on the left as shown in the picture on the right. In this place there can also be a tea pair, a pie plate or, for example, an egg bowl on the occasion of Easter. The photo below shows options for festive serving and plate composition.

• Plates should be placed at a distance of 1.5-2 cm from the edge of the table and at the same distance from each other;
• To prevent the snack plate from sliding on the stand, you need to put a paper or textile napkin between them as shown in the photo below.

Step 3. Place the cutlery

Now let's start laying out the devices. They are placed on the sides according to the number of courses (with the concave side facing the table):

• To the right of the plates are knives and spoons;
• On the left are forks;
• You can put a teaspoon on top.

Festive serving at home does not require availability large quantity special knives, forks and spoons. Most often, one knife, one fork and a couple of spoons are enough (for soup and dessert).

But if necessary and desired, you can additionally set the table with special forks, knives and spoons as shown in the following photo selection.

You can learn more about the rules for arranging devices in the following video lesson.

Step 4. Place glasses, wine glasses, glasses

Next, behind the plates, a little to the right, we place the glasses from largest to smallest. Depending on the drinks available and the preferences of the guests, glasses for water, red/white wine, champagne and/or a glass for juice, spirits and shot glasses are displayed.

Step 5. Serving napkins

For especially special occasions, napkins can be folded beautifully and artistically on a plate. For all other cases strict rules There are no napkins provided. They can be placed in a glass of water, placed under a snack plate, inserted into rings, tied with a ribbon and decorated with decorations.

If you are setting the table not for a holiday, but, for example, for lunch, then you can place napkins on the side of the plate under the forks as shown in the photo below.

Step 6. The final touch - table decor

Hurray, almost ready! All that remains is to decorate the festive table with flowers in a vase and themed decorations. For the New Year it could be pine cones, rosemary and fir branches, for March 8 - flower buds, and for Easter - hares and willow branches. The topic of table decor should be given more attention in a separate article, but for now we suggest taking a look at photos of beautifully decorated tables in different themes and styles.

Easter table setting

And a little about the arrangement of dishes

In addition to serving cutlery and dishes, you need to lay out the food dishes themselves. Here is a small reminder on how this can be done beautifully and correctly.

OK it's all over Now. We wish you successful practice and happy, heartfelt holidays!

Sooner or later a situation may arise that best friend or a new potential partner will invite you to a posh restaurant to celebrate their next anniversary or sign an incredibly lucrative contract. For some people, such an invitation will not seem unusual, while others may simply panic before going out. What is the reason for such incomprehensible excitement? Many of us have been abroad, visited numerous restaurants, tasted a huge variety national dishes. It seems impossible to surprise us with anything. But, nevertheless, when it comes to going to a top-class restaurant, panic and incredible worries begin: how to behave, what to order, how to combine dishes with drinks, etc. But the worst thing is table setting in a restaurant - a powerful arsenal of plates, cutlery, glasses on the table. Which side should you approach from? Which fork should I grab? What a shame it would be if guests noticed your lack of education in restaurant etiquette! It's okay, everything can be fixed!

Introduction

The first question that arises when you are already at the table is: “What to do with this napkin beautifully folded into an original figure?” Yes, often when setting a table in a restaurant, napkins, the patterns of which can be very complex, are very frustrating to unwrap; they look like works of art. But still, take the napkin by the free corner, pull the edge, and it will unwind. Fold it in half and place it on your lap (do not push it into the collar or neckline of a lady's dress). This wipe is designed to keep crumbs and splashes from staining your clothes. You can get your mouth wet inside napkins, then the outer part will remain clean and will not spoil your weekend suit. Never use it to wipe off lipstick.

The principle of classic serving

The second stage is the desire to figure out what to do with all the cutlery and glasses? Don’t worry ahead of time: before serving the first course, the waiter will remove everything unnecessary. All that will remain is what you need for the meal. Table setting in a restaurant, the diagram of which is presented below, is not so difficult to remember. So:

• There is a serving plate right in front of you, which serves as a stand for a hot dish;
• most often at the beginning of the banquet there is a plate for appetizers on it;
• to the left of the plates (in the direction from the guest) there is a table fork, a fish fork, a snack fork;
• to the right of the plates there is a table knife, a fish knife, a snack knife, a table spoon;
• above the plates there is a dessert fork (with the handle pointing to the left) and a dessert spoon (with the handle pointing to the right);
• on the left above the plates there is a container for bread (pie plate) and a butter knife on it;
• the right space above the plates is served with a glass for water, a glass for white wine, and a glass for red wine.

If you are further at a loss, remember: first take those utensils that lie on the edges, that is, farthest from the plate. Dessert utensils will be removed and removed later during dessert service.

Studying devices

In addition to instruments classic serving, there are those that are used much less frequently. A video of table setting in a restaurant will clearly show how to use original cutlery.

Knives and forks

Spoons

There are also several types of spoons:

• lettuce, having three small teeth at the end. Used to transfer salad from a common plate to a serving plate;
• the pouring room (ladle) is used for pouring compotes, milk, jelly and, of course, soups;
• The spoon for salt is very small, located in the salt shaker.

shoulder blades

• caviar spatula – similar to a scoop, used for transferring chum or granular caviar from the caviar bowl to a plate;
• meat and vegetable dishes require a rectangular spatula when transferring;
• hot and cold dishes are transferred from a common plate to a portioned one using a shaped spatula;
• for pate, use a small figured spatula;
• For cakes and pastries, use a square figured spatula.

Forceps

Don't be alarmed, these are not the type of forceps used in dental offices. These tongs are culinary tongs. Have you seen table settings like this in a restaurant? Pictures are included! There are:

• snail tongs for holding the shell;
• For baking use large pastry tongs;
• For sugar, sweets, chocolate, small pastry tongs are used;
• In order to crack the nuts, you need V-shaped tongs with nut indentations;
• for ice you will need U-shaped tongs with serrated blades;
• Asparagus tongs, offered for asparagus on the grill.

Hooks

Hooks are not used to catch fish, but to remove the snail from its shell.

Glasses on the table and their purpose

The number of glasses on the table depends on what drinks will be served during the feast. The classic option is glasses for white wine, red wine, a wine glass or a glass for water.

If you plan to serve a table in a restaurant for a banquet, there can be much more glasses. How to deal with them?

Glasses are served to the right of the plates from small to large, straight or in an arc. If there are a lot of glasses, then they are served in two rows so that large glasses do not cover small ones.

Here you don’t have to worry - the waiter will fill a certain glass with the desired drink. But, nevertheless, take note:

• a small glass is intended for vodka or strong liqueur;
• Madeira glass - slightly larger in size than vodka - used for Madeira, port and sherry;
• champagne glass - “flute” (“flute”, “flute”) - tall, delicate, on a thin stem;
• glass for white wine - the edges are narrowed, the stem is high and thin (so as not to heat the cool white wine with the heat of your hand). Add white wine frequently;
• A glass for red wine is barrel-shaped, the stem is thicker and shorter. The glass is two-thirds full;
• glass for cognac - “brandy snifter”, spherical, narrowed at the top. Fills to the bottom;
• glass for whiskey - “whisky”, “old fashion” - served, if desired, with ice, water, soda;
• martini glass - “martinka” - an inverted cone on a thin stem, vermouth and martini-type cocktails are served in it.

Do's and Don'ts in a Restaurant

Setting a table in a restaurant (example photo attached) is not all you need to learn regarding restaurant etiquette. There are other rules:

1. You cannot powder, put on makeup, or comb your hair at the table. To do this, they go to the ladies' room. You are only allowed to look in the mirror at the end of the meal.
2. You cannot persuade your table neighbor to drink or eat more.
3. Equipment that has fallen to the floor cannot be picked up. Pretend that nothing happened and don't hesitate to ask the waiter to bring others.
4. The knife is held exclusively in the right hand, even if you are left-handed.
5. The spoon and fork are held parallel to the table on their way to the mouth.
6. The soup spoon does not fill to the brim.
7. It is not customary to tilt a plate of soup.
8. They do not eat bread with a fork, do not bite off a whole piece, and do not spread butter on a whole piece of bread. It is correct to break off a small piece with your hand above your plate.
9. The pate, caviar and butter are taken with a knife, placed on a plate, and only then spread on bread.
10. Fish bones should not be spat out onto the plate; they are discreetly taken out with your hand or a fork and placed on the edge of the plate.
11. The poultry meat is separated from the bone with a knife and eaten with a fork. It is indecent to gnaw on bones picked up by hand.
12. You can eat some dishes with your hands: asparagus, chicken tobacco.
13. The knife does not cut everything at once, but one by one.
14. It is not necessary to finish a dish or finish a glass of wine.
15. If you want to take a break to drink water, place your cutlery on the plate as you held it: fork with the handle to the left, knife with the handle to the right.
16. If you decide to take a break from eating, stack the cutlery on the plate crosswise.
17. Parallel stacked cutlery marks the end of the meal. In this case, the waiter will remove your plate.
18. A coffee or teaspoon is used to stir the sugar, then it should be placed on a saucer.
19. The drink you drink through a straw should not be sucked completely.
20. The napkin should be left unfolded on the right side of the plate at the end of the banquet.

That's all: the basic basics of restaurant etiquette have been covered. There is only one thing left: calmly, without a single worry, in a good mood, enter a prestigious restaurant and amaze those present at the table with your intelligence and education.

Serving – ancient art decorating a table for a shared lunch or feast. To decorate the table in accordance with generally accepted rules and customs, you should familiarize yourself with them. It is necessary to learn the order of arranging cutlery and serving dishes, and also take into account the recommendations of specialists in choosing decorations and decorative elements to realize the ideal serving.

Peculiarities

Today, few people pay due attention to studying traditions and customs, so not every housewife can talk about table setting or explain what it is. But it is worth familiarizing yourself not only with the concept itself, but also with the history of the development of serving.

By serving you need to understand correct location plates, cutlery, napkins and other elements for the meal. Great value The choice of decor plays a role.

​Serving can be presented in several varieties:

• Preliminary- is the simplest. With such serving, it is enough to partially arrange the dishes and cutlery that will initially be required for the dishes presented first on the menu. When a new dish is served, the dishes will be replaced at the same time.

During pre-serving, it is necessary to use a table knife, fork, teaspoon, pie plate, a wine glass, a wine glass, decorations for placing in the center, a pepper shaker and salt shaker, as well as an unprinted fabric napkin.

• Banquet room– consists of simultaneous arrangement of decor, plates and cutlery. To create this type of serving you will need snack utensils, namely:
  • forks and knives;
  • soup spoon;
  • fish utensils;
  • baking plate;
  • bakery plate;
  • butter knife;
  • dessert spoon;
  • pepper shaker;
  • soup plate;
  • small saucer.

Silk napkins are the ideal decoration for this type of table setting. They can be in the form of rectangles or squares.

• "Bistro"- the usual arrangement of dishes for a casual breakfast or lunch in an informal setting. It can be used in areas where self-service is used. This type of serving is used in establishments where personal staff are served. The choice of cutlery and their location depends on the menu, the cost of the dish and even the style of the establishment. The table should be decorated with a tablecloth, as well as additional napkins.

Rules

For proper decoration of a table at home, in a chic restaurant or cafe it is necessary to follow generally accepted serving rules. If you set the table correctly, then the holiday will be brighter and more spectacular. A mistake when choosing dishes can ruin the whole holiday. The type of meal affects the choice of plates, glasses, even napkins, as well as other elements.

Used frequently serving for two. This option is ideal for embodying a romantic atmosphere. To decorate the table, you can use a variety of elements (candles, alcohol in the form of champagne or wine, a fruit basket). It is worth giving preference to a tablecloth of snow-white or bright red color.

To set a table for two, you need to maintain synchronicity. The dishes should be placed opposite each other, and the distance between the interlocutors should be small so that they can touch at arm's length.

When creating a romantic atmosphere, you should not focus on proper serving; on the contrary, it is better to use a minimum of utensils and cutlery.

When planning home banquet You should take care of the comfortable location of each guest, and for this you should maintain a certain distance. If you need to accommodate 4 people at a table, then you can use both the square and oval options. But remember that for a convenient location for one person you need 76 cm, and for an overweight guest - 90 cm. Furniture with standard sizes Ideal for comfortably accommodating 4 people.

If 6 people are to be seated at a table, then more information needs to be taken into account. You can choose rectangular or round table.

To seat two people on one side of a rectangular table, its width must be 240 cm, since there must be 46 cm free on each edge.

When choosing round table for 6 people, it is worth considering that the radius of the tabletop must be at least 80 cm, then 76 cm can be used for serving for one person.

To conduct a joint family holiday required big table. Standard dishes and cutlery are designed for a maximum of 12 people.

• You should decorate the table with a tablecloth.
• Arrange the plates, taking into account the number of people at the table.
• Arrange cutlery.
• The location of glasses, glasses, wine glasses largely depends on what kind of alcoholic drinks will be consumed.
• Arrange and decorate the table with original napkins.
• Decorating on a specific theme.

Subtleties of serving

To beautifully organize a meal at the table according to etiquette, you need to take into account many nuances and details. To organize a meal at home, you first need to purchase a beautiful set of dishes. All family members should be provided with the same plates and cutlery.

Before serving you need to think about the menu first, since each dish requires a certain set of serving. When arranging appliances, it is worth remembering that at least 80 centimeters of free space must be allocated for one person. This distance is enough for a comfortable position at the table.

All equipment must be clean. It is better to wipe each fork, knife and spoon with a dry towel before placing them on the table to prevent the possibility of stains from residual water.

How to arrange the devices?

At home, you can beautifully decorate the table for a shared meal if you set it up correctly. First you need to cover the table with a tablecloth and purchase a beautiful set of dishes and cutlery. You can’t use all the dishes to set the table at home. It should be selected depending on personal preferences and food needs.

The tablecloth plays a major role in table decoration, as it sets the tone for the entire event. For a holiday, you should choose an exclusively white tablecloth; for everyday use, you can use the product in yellow color or cream shade. The main thing is that the tablecloth is washed and ironed.

For informal meetings, you can use colored tablecloths in light colors; for themed meetings, models with prints; for example, for celebrating a child’s birthday, a tablecloth with a children’s theme is suitable. A table covered with two tablecloths looks original, and they are positioned in such a way that the corners of the lower tablecloth are visible from under the upper one.

Options with a minimal amount of decor look beautiful, although you can use models with perforation, lace or complemented with silk ribbons.

When choosing the size of the tablecloth, remember that you need to start from the dimensions of the table on which it will be located. According to etiquette, the edges of the product should hang over the edge by about 30 centimeters. But there are also exceptions. For example, in Italian and French restaurants it is considered normal for the edges of the tablecloth to touch the floor. When choosing a product material, it is better to give preference to cotton or silk.

There are 35 types of plates for table setting, but usually only 5 or 6 types are used. According to the rules of etiquette, all plates should ideally be from the same set or at least be made in the same style. The choice of plate type depends on the dishes that will be served, and their quantity depends on the number of people who will be present at the dinner.

The main types of plates that are very often used for serving: soup, flat plate (large and small), dessert (shallow and deep), pie plate, herring bowl, mustard plate or bowl, meat dish.

Need to choose the right cutlery and arrange them correctly. To begin with, on the right side of the dish you need to place a soup spoon, place a fork and a snack knife near it, then a coffee or tea spoon. If all this needs to be placed directly next to the main plate, then the dessert spoon is usually placed behind the plate. Knife for butter usually found on a pie plate.

Before serving, the cutlery must be thoroughly polished to a shine. Often in cafes, cutlery is placed directly on a special napkin.

A classic choice among glasses is the option for champagne and wine. There are other types of glassware for alcohol, but they should be placed on the table depending on what drink will be presented on the table. These can be glasses for liquor, whiskey, shot glasses.

When arranging glasses, you should adhere to the following sequence: for red wine, white wine, champagne and a container for stronger alcohol in the order in which they will be served on the table. Don't forget that there should be a glass for water or juice on the left side of the table.

Serving napkins are an indispensable element for decorating a formal feast. They can be either paper or fabric. Most people prefer napkins made from various types fabrics. Linen models are often used square shape And big size. They can be placed on the knees to protect clothes from possible stains or used as decoration.

Paper napkins are intended to be used during meals, so they should be placed in the center of the table so that everyone can easily reach the napkins. To do this, you can use a napkin holder or special figures with clips. For special occasions, you should use plain paper models, without a bright and catchy print.

In a modern dining room interior, the main element is often a round table. Many housewives are faced with the fact that round table top provides less space than rectangular. When setting a round table, you should use only the necessary items: a flat and deep plate, a fork for the main course, a knife and a wine glass. If the guest wishes, other items of tableware can be served. Decorate the center of the table with a bouquet of flowers, a bright and unusual dessert or a bottle of wine, complemented by a red or black napkin.

If a birthday is celebrated in the home circle, then the table should become a bright accent when organizing the holiday. To achieve this goal, it is worth using unusual desserts, choosing decorations, and also using beautiful table setting dishes.

If you are deciding what to set the table with, then you should start from the personality of the birthday person. To decorate the table in honor children's party It’s worth decorating the table beautifully with soft toys or images on cardboard of famous cartoon characters. For children, you can organize a simple sweet table.

To decorate a table in honor of a young girl’s birthday, then you should pay attention to fresh flowers at the table, fashionable dishes made of multi-colored glass, vases with fruit, and attractive desserts.

For men, the table should look more concise. It should be covered with various foods: meat, tomato and cucumber salads and side dishes.

When setting a festive sweet table, it is worth considering that only desserts are presented on the table. You should not use decor, as it will look unnecessary against the backdrop of bright desserts. It is worth using plates in several tiers, stands for muffins or cake pops, and pyramids. It is worth using dishes in a single color scheme.

To decorate a table, even for one person, according to etiquette, you should use a tablecloth and place napkins made of paper or fabric on it. Kitchen utensils you will need:

• the plate is flat, deep;
• table spoon, dessert spoon, tea spoon;
• fork;
• glass for water;
• wine glass

To decorate the dinner it is worth making a certain order actions:

• Cover the table with a tablecloth.
• Place a large plate flat type, put a deep one on it.
• On both sides of the plate you should place cutlery intended for the main course, and then for the appetizer.
• The teaspoon should be placed in front of the plate.
• At the top on the right side of the plate there is usually a pair of tea or a wine glass.
• Additionally, the table can be decorated not only with fabric napkins, but also with exquisite candles or fresh flowers.

Setting a table for organizing lunch is quite simple, since it has virtually no differences compared to setting a table for dinner. The only difference is that the dining table can only be decorated with napkins or flowers. And you also don’t need to use a snow-white tablecloth for the dining table.

It is worth taking a more practical approach to this issue and using silicone or plastic substrates. They are characterized by ease of cleaning.

If you are going to organize a dinner for guests, then the serving remains the same, but the number of cutlery and plates only increases. An alternative to tablecloths are special stands designed to protect from hot dishes. You should not use additional decor.

Dinner for guests requires a snow-white tablecloth. To begin with, you should serve light snacks with liqueur or wine.

It is very difficult to organize the correct arrangement of cutlery at a party when many guests will be sitting at the table on your own. Therefore, you should not pay special attention arrangement of cutlery and plates, the main thing is to lay a white tablecloth and decorate the table with napkins. The main task is to create the maximum comfortable conditions for relaxing at the festive table.

Using napkins

Napkins are an integral attribute of serving. To decorate the table for tea drinking, you can use rectangular or round napkins. Linen options are ideal for decorating a table in honor of a celebration.

It is customary to place a napkin made of paper or fabric at the bottom of the plate or to the left of it. Paper napkins can be placed in a special napkin holder.

There are many ways to fold a cloth napkin in interesting ways. It can be presented in the form of an envelope, a cone or a sail. Unusual animals or delicate flowers. Each option looks elegant and cute, so you can come up with your own version of decorating the napkin.

For a festive feast

At a holiday, the table always plays a huge role, because it acts as a stylish accent. To decorate a festive feast, you can use small vases with flowers, special rings for decorating napkins, figurines of porcelain angels, as well as silk or satin ribbons. Formal tablecloths, balloons and serpentine will look beautiful.

The choice of table decorations depends on the holiday itself and its purpose. It could be a romantic dinner, an anniversary or a wedding. An important element is fabric napkins and an elegant tablecloth.

For a regular dinner or lunch, napkins decorated with rings and fresh flowers are used. This decor is suitable for a regular tea party. It is worth understanding that dishes, cutlery, tablecloths and napkins must be very clean. To set the table beautifully, you can use bright napkins. They will help give the feast originality and effectiveness.

A lot of effort must be put into decorating a banquet. To decorate the table in honor of Christmas Eve or Easter, you should use the appropriate decorative elements. To organize a large banquet, it is worth using decorative elements made in the same color and style. Napkins can be bright colors, but must be sterile. Flowers can be used both fresh and artificial. The choice is completely individual.

When organizing a wedding feast, the emphasis should be on the places for the newlyweds. They should be decorated with symbols on the theme of love. These can be figurines of swans, roses, hearts or posters with wishes. For the newlyweds, separate glasses, originally decorated, should be presented. Snow-white dishes with a silver or gold border and, of course, a white tablecloth look beautiful on the wedding table.

Remember that festive table setting consists of a large number of nuances. In order not to forget anything, you first need to make a preliminary serving - make an arrangement important elements. Just before the feast, it will be enough to add additional cutlery and plates to create a complete table setting.

To serve a Russian holiday table, it is worth understanding that traditionally a lot of different foods should be presented on such a table. To decorate a table in a traditional style, just select several dishes from the national cuisine.

When serving a traditional Russian feast, you should adhere to the following scheme:

• Snacks - there should be a lot of them, because the traditional drink is vodka, and it requires a good snack. Pickled cucumbers and pickled tomatoes must be present on the table. Many people really like mushrooms with onions or sauerkraut with beets. Among cold appetizers, meat options and sliced ​​salted lard are in demand. Among the salads, you should give preference to “herring under a fur coat” or “Olivier”.

• Main courses are served hot. Often a pig or poultry is prepared for the table in the oven. They are usually filled with porridge and decorated with apples. Often, cabbage rolls and home-style roast or fish dishes are served on the festive table.
• Dessert - traditional are cheesecakes, pies, gingerbreads, as well as filled pies, baked apples with sugar syrup and aromatic cinnamon.
• Drinks - traditionally, strong vodka is placed on the table, which is often infused with tangerine peels, pine nuts or various herbs. Among non-alcoholic drinks, kvass and fruit drinks made from berry jam are in demand.

Delicious food should have a beautiful, attractive appearance so that you immediately want to eat it. When choosing dishes from a certain world cuisine, you should understand that table decorations are different countries produced in different ways, using a variety of decorative elements.

Table setting in France is a unique art. It differs in many ways from traditional serving in Russia. The French are famous gourmets who have an excellent understanding of delicious food and also pay a lot of attention to table decoration. They highly value high-quality and stylish dishes, tablecloths, and decor.

The peculiarity of serving in France is that they always use stand plates, which not only add elegance and beauty to the serving, but also stand out. reliable protection tablecloths from various stains.

Serving in Japan is very different from the European presentation, so for us it is quite complex and multi-component. To perfectly master the peculiarities of Japanese serving, you need to have a good understanding of plates, cups, trays, bowls and chopsticks. The Japanese value convenience and comfort. When serving, they tend to be asymmetrical, creating free compositions and taking into account the free space. All decorative elements on the table should be positioned freely.

An interesting fact is that the arrangement of cutlery varies from country to country. For example, when positioning the fork in England it should lie with the cloves up, and in France - with the cloves down.

Beautiful examples and options

• Spring. It is worth focusing on natural colors and textures. The tablecloth on the table is not mandatory element. The table can be decorated with a wicker stand. A branch of a living tree will allow you to decorate the table setting. Place a white napkin on a green plate, a cream plate and a transparent dish on top. There should be a fork and a teaspoon on the right side of the plates, and a wine glass at the top right.

• For a romantic dinner Fresh flowers and candles are often used as decoration. A red tablecloth will set you up for a romantic wave. Snow-white dishes are suitable for table setting. To begin with, you can place a square plate, and on top - a round-shaped plate. An ideal addition would be a soft pink fabric napkin folded into an envelope. On the left side there is a knife, on the right there is a knife and a soup spoon. Above the plates there is a glass for water and champagne.

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