Every self-respecting housewife should know the basic rules of table setting etiquette. This is the art of arranging cutlery beautifully in accordance with the rules of good manners. Table setting has a rich history: each era had its own rules for table decoration, which changed over time. Of course, there are many subtleties and nuances, but it is not at all necessary to apply them all. It is enough to know the basic rules of table setting.

General rules for table setting

A table set according to the rules of etiquette is always pleasing to the eye and is a pleasant place to spend time having a leisurely conversation. The basic serving rules are quite simple.

• All cutlery must be perfectly clean. To achieve sparkling cleanliness, you need to wipe them with a damp, warm towel. Then wipe dry thoroughly.
• Make sure that there are no smudges on the cutlery or utensils.
• An important component of serving is the tablecloth. It must be perfectly ironed. You need to cover the table with it so that the edges lightly cover its legs. They should hang down by about 25-30 cm. There is no need to additionally cover the tablecloth with oilcloth, because this is not accepted by the rules of good manners.
• The number of cutlery depends on the number of dishes that will be served at the table.
• Appliances should be arranged the same way for each guest.

By following these basic rules, your table will always be decorated in accordance with etiquette.

Tablecloth on the table

• A classic and win-win option is snow-white tablecloth . She always looks elegant and solemn.
• However, there is no need to be afraid to experiment. It should be selected depending on the overall color palette of cutlery, the interior and the type of feast. But one thing Golden Rule yes: the tablecloth should be combined with curtains and upholstery.
• Usually preference is given to light shades. But they can also be colored, plain or with a pattern. But the pattern should be located along the edge, because excessive variegation can distract the attention of guests. If you prefer a dark-colored tablecloth, then the cutlery should be a light shade.
• Nowadays there is a large selection of tablecloth shapes and materials, but usually choose it in a rectangular or triangular shape. It is best to choose one made from fabric, especially natural materials– it will add even more comfort to the feast. The size should be such that its edges can cover the table legs, and the ends should hang 25-30 cm, but not be lower than the level of the seats.

The tablecloth for table setting is laid out as follows: opened, taken by the ends on one side. Then it is lifted, shaken and sharply lowered down. This makes it easier to level it out. But you don’t need to stretch it too much and pull the corners.

If the surface is polished, then you should put oilcloth under the tablecloth. The main thing is that it is clean and well ironed.

Cutlery - layout diagram

To location cutlery According to etiquette, you need to approach it responsibly. There is no need to put all kinds of cutlery on the table. They must correspond to the holiday list of dishes. Cutlery is divided into individual (which each guest has) and auxiliary - they are needed in order to lay out dishes.

• In table etiquette, it is customary to first place dishes made of earthenware or porcelain, then place the cutlery, and only then place glass or crystal.
• Glasses and wine glasses should be placed holding them by the stem.
• According to the rules of etiquette, the spoon and knife should be placed to the right of the plate, and the fork to the left.
• You need to use utensils starting from the outer edge, changing them towards the plate as you change dishes.
• The distance between the cutlery and the plate should be 0.5-1 cm.

The figure shows the location of cutlery. Of course, the set of forks, spoons and knives depends on what dishes will be served on the table. Glasses with wine glasses are also selected depending on the drinks.

Serving plates

There is an order in which the plates are laid out.

• Snack plate - it is placed in front of each chair at a distance of approximately 2 cm from the edge.
• Pie plate (bread) - it is customary to place it on the left side of the snack bar at a distance of 5-15 cm.
• If you serve several dishes, then place a dining room under the snack bar.

It is the responsibility of the housewife to promptly replace the plates with clean ones.

Serving with napkins

They are an integral part of serving. Folding napkins beautifully is a real art. The more solemn the holiday, the more elegantly they can be folded.

The material is chosen depending on the type of feast. You can take it for a holiday cotton or linen e. They are usually intended to be placed on guests' laps.

If you decide to use paper, then they are removed under the right edge of the plate. Or they are placed in general availability.

Napkins can be any color, the main thing is that they are folded beautifully and neatly.

Spice utensils

They are usually placed on the festive table at the very end of the table setting. They are placed on special stands in the center of the table. So you can use small boards or saucers as stands. This must include a salt and pepper shaker, as well as additional mustard, vinegar, vegetable oil and other spices.

Drink glasses

You need to remember about the glasses when serving. They can be made from either glass or crystal. Small glasses are intended for stronger alcohol. Therefore, there should be a wine glass, a glass, a glass, and glasses on the table.

Selected depending on the color of the drink. For red wine they should be larger than for white wine. Champagne is served in special glasses. There are also special beer glasses. Vodka is usually served in glasses.

The following set of cutlery must be present on the table:

• pie plate;
• snack bar;
• wine glass;
• saucer;
• coffee cup and saucer.

Bread can be served in a wicker basket, and butter can be served in a butter dish made of ceramic or porcelain - this way it retains its taste. Sausage and cold cuts are served in an elongated plate. The cheese is served in one piece on a porcelain board, with a knife for cutting cheese placed next to it.

The snack plate is placed opposite the center of the chair, and the pie plate is placed to the left of it. The knife is placed to the right of the snack plate, with the blade facing it. Fork - on the left side, tines up. The teaspoon is placed with the handle to the right, parallel to the table. Vases with flowers, napkins and utensils with spices are placed in the center.

How to serve lunch and dinner correctly

The dinner table is set in such a way that guests can be served conveniently and quickly. To do this, place the snack plate on a stand, with the pie plate on the left side. Cutlery is placed between them - a knife and a spoon on the right, and a table fork on the left. And in front of the cutlery is a wine glass.

Also, when setting the table for dinner, you should place a ladle with which to pour the soup. This must be done carefully so as not to stain the tablecloth. If you drip a little, you need to blot the stain with a napkin. The main thing is not to attract the attention of guests, so as not to disturb the calm flow of the conversation.

Dessert table setting

For setting the dessert table, it is permissible to choose a brighter tablecloth. The ideal option would be to use a special tea set. It is customary to place beautiful lace napkins in the center of the table and under tea cups. Serving the sweet table holiday etiquette consists of the following cutlery:

• cups and saucers (the cup must be turned with the handle to the right);
• teaspoons (placed on a saucer, it is also permissible to place spoons behind the cup parallel to the table, with the handle on the right side);
• small teapot;
• a large kettle for boiling water;
• Setting the table for dessert involves using a sugar bowl in which lump sugar is served along with tongs, or a special bowl;
• a bowl for jam or preserves is placed on the left side;
• lemon for tea is served on a special tray with a two-pronged fork for spreading;
• milk jug placed on pie plate on the right side of the guest.
• A plate for bread and sweets should be placed in front of each guest. Diagonally on the right side of it is a cup and saucer, and a teaspoon is placed next to it. A special spatula for serving the cake should be placed on the right side of the main plate.
• The saucers are placed on the table, tea or coffee is poured into cups only when all the guests have taken their seats. Sweets are served on an elegant table: buns, pies with sweet filling, cakes, muffins, sweets and fruits. Alcoholic drinks include wine and liqueurs.

For a youth group you can make a buffet table. It is served with a stack of plates (8-10 pieces in one stack). Cloth napkins are placed behind it. Glasses and wine glasses are placed next to the drinks. If there are people who smoke in the company, ashtrays are placed at the ends of the table.

Festive table setting

Serving banquet table helps create a festive mood. The main thing is not only to serve the dishes correctly, but also to decorate the table beautifully. Table setting for a banquet depends on what dishes are served at the holiday. But there are principles of classic holiday table design.

Chairs must be placed at a distance of 50 to 80 cm from each other so as not to violate the personal space of guests.
The tablecloth should be light colors, bright and dark colors better left for tea tables. Its edges should hang down no more than 20-30 cm. To prevent the knocking of dishes from distracting guests from the conversation, oilcloth or soft fabric is laid under the tablecloth. But the main thing is that it is perfectly ironed and clean.

A napkin is placed on a serving plate and a plate intended for hot food is placed on it. A pie plate is placed on the left side of the snack plate so that they are on the same line. The serving plate should always remain in its place, and others can be replaced while dishes are being served.

There should be no more than 3 pairs of forks and spoons. To the right of the serving plate, place a soup spoon, a snack knife and a table knife, with the blade facing the plate, and the forks are placed on the left side. Only an oyster fork can be placed on the right. Place the forks with their tines up, and the spoons with their convex side on the table.
The principle of arrangement: the dish that is served first is the distant device.

Decor

Setting a holiday table is also an opportunity to show your creativity. You need to pay attention to decorative items - using flowers is a win-win option. Usually they are placed in the middle of the table - it can be a bouquet or composition.
It is important to consider the following nuances:

• so that none of the guests are allergic to them;
• the bouquet should not contain flowers with a strong aroma;
• The vase with the bouquet must be placed at a distance from the cutlery.

For New Year or a romantic date, you can choose a more original table decoration. For a New Year's feast, you can place a composition made from pine branches, Christmas tree decorations, and tinsel. Candles are perfect for a romantic evening. On the table, the holiday atmosphere will be conveyed by objects in the form of wedding rings, figurines of the bride and groom, and doves.

You should be especially imaginative when decorating a table for a child’s birthday. You can attach balloons to the backs of the chairs, and pictures from your favorite cartoons will be a bright detail. It is important that all decorative elements are in the same style. They should not be too high so that guests can see each other. The main thing is not to overdo it with decoration, so that the table setting at the holiday and the decoration complement each other.

Depending on the interior and imagination, a festive or dinner table can amaze guests with its sophistication. And additional serving elements will add brightness and originality to it. The listed design principles are not complicated and are an indicator of good taste.

Video: how to properly set the table

Proper serving of cutlery and appropriate decoration can create a special atmosphere, in which even the simplest homemade dish will be perceived as a culinary masterpiece.

For a real housewife the ability to set a table is no less important than the presence of culinary talents. Proper serving is a sign of attention and respect for those sitting at the table, as well as an indicator of the taste of the hostess herself.

Where to begin?

Before you start serving, you need to carefully plan and think through everything. You should definitely take into account the number of guests and the menu - the type and number of dishes determines what cutlery will be used.

First of all, a carefully ironed tablecloth is laid on the table. They cover it in such a way that the corners cover the legs of the table, and the edges hang down from the table by 25-30 cm. The edge of the tablecloth should not fall below the seat of the chair, so as not to cause inconvenience to those sitting.

To prevent dishes from knocking on the table, you can place a soft cloth (for example, fleece) under the tablecloth.

Even the most expensive and beautiful tablecloth should not be covered with oilcloth on top as a precaution - etiquette does not allow this. But purchasing and laying a Teflon tablecloth on the table is not forbidden.

The Teflon coating of this tablecloth does not allow spilled drinks and grease to be absorbed into the material, so they can be easily removed with a sponge. After removing the liquid, there will be no unsightly marks or wet spots left on it.

In some cases, plates or runners may be used instead of a tablecloth. The first are stands of various configurations placed under plates and cutlery. Dish plates can be plastic, bamboo, rattan, or simply paper. The second are narrow strips of fabric, spread only in the center of the table.

As for cutlery and utensils, Before installation, you need to check them for integrity(there should be no chips, cracks, rust, bent parts) and cleanliness.

To remove dust and water marks, wipe all dishes with a damp, warm towel and polish with a dry cloth.

Important! Proper table setting requires that all sets of cutlery be placed in the same order. In an informal setting, it is allowed to use different utensils for different guests. But at the same time, each individual participant in the meal must have all the cutlery from the same set.

What is it for?

There is a wide variety of serving items. Most of them are not used at home every day, but they may well be needed for organizing a banquet or festive dinner.

Dishes

About 35 of their species are known. However, the most commonly used are:

• Soup. A deep plate in which not only soups are served, but also muesli, milk with cereal or oatmeal. But broths, according to the rules, are not served in such dishes - special bowls are provided for them.
• Table plates. They are shallow and deep. The shallow ones are used for serving main courses, and the deep ones are used to put pasta and other pasta dishes.

• Pirozhkovaya. Bread, croutons or butter are served on it. Place it on top and slightly to the left of the main set. They put it on top small knife for oil.
• Chill. Externally it resembles a mollusk shell. Designed for salad appetizers or oysters.
• Fish. Slightly extended for easier handling of fish dishes.

In addition, there are caviar plates, egg plates, dessert plates, salad bowls and many others. In addition, there is also such a type of plate as a serving plate. It is placed under a plate for appetizers, soups or main courses.

According to the rules of etiquette, it may differ from the rest of the dishes (be from a different set or a different color).

Glasses

The most commonly used glassware for drinks is glasses and wine glasses. They can be different in shape, volume and have various purposes, which should also be taken into account when preparing to welcome guests:

• Classic elongated glasses with a volume of 120-200 ml are intended for champagne sparkling wines. served for refined champagnes. It must be cooled before filling.
• The glass, slightly different from the classic one with an increased volume and a slightly narrowed neck, is served for sophisticated champagne wines. It must be cooled before filling. And fill it no more than 2/3.
• For white wine, use glasses with an elongated bowl on a narrow stem, with a volume of 180-260 ml.
• Red wine is poured into wider and more open glasses.
• Cognac glasses can have a classic shape (snifters) or a tulip shape.

Cutlery

Over the years of evolution of the art of cooking and serving, no less than plates, cutlery has also appeared. All of them are usually divided into main and auxiliary (they are also called serving utensils).

The first ones are intended for individual use. The second is used by all participants in the meal. They are used to separate and cut dishes into portions and place them on individual plates.

The main devices, in turn, are divided into:

• Dining rooms. They are used to eat soups and main courses. The set includes a knife 20–24 cm long, a fork and a spoon, which are 5-6 cm shorter than the knife.
• Snack bars. Designed for appetizers and cold dishes. Consists of a knife and fork.
• Fish. Set of slightly modified fork and knife. The fish knife is dull, in the form of a spatula. The fish fork has shortened tines.
• Dessert. A trident fork 18-19 cm long, a small spoon and a knife with a narrow blade. Served with pies, mousses, puddings and other desserts. The dessert spoon can also be served with fried eggs and creamed berries.
• Fruit. These include a two-pronged fork and a knife. They are used for fruit salads, melons, watermelons and unpeeled fruit desserts.

In addition, special utensils designed for specific dishes can be served (for example, a fork for oysters, sprat or lobster).

What and how to use?

The greatest difficulty is most often caused by laying out and using cutlery. A rule can help here: devices are always used in the direction from edge to center and from right to left. This means that when there is an expected change of dishes, the cutlery that lies farthest from the main plate will be used first. When in doubt, first take the device located on the right.

Arrangement rules

Serving is a whole science with centuries-old history, which has its own rules and exceptions. However, if you remember the basics, then setting the table correctly will not be difficult at all:

• The dishes are placed on the table in a strictly defined sequence. First - earthenware and porcelain items, then - cutlery. Finally, they place objects made of glass and crystal.
• It is necessary to lay out everything so that the closest thing is what you need first. When planning several courses, dishes and cutlery are arranged in the order in which the food will be served. At the same time, it is not necessary to pile everything on the table at once. It is enough to put the utensils intended for serving dishes for the first and second courses. Dessert sets can be arranged later - after the main ones have been removed.
• The knife should be placed so that its blade is turned towards the dish.
• According to etiquette, the glass (glass) should be located above the knife. If several types of glasses are used, then they are all placed side by side.
• Forks must be placed on the left side of the plate.
• Spoons are always located to the right of knives.
• If you plan to serve Italian dishes, there should be a bread plate on the table.
• If there is soup on the menu, a soup spoon is placed between the knives for appetizers and fish.

In addition, there are several more generally accepted rules governing the arrangement of individual serving items.

Dishes

According to the rules, the layout of dishes should begin with the plates. In this case, they must be placed so that they are 1.5-2 cm from the edge of the table. The distance between them should be approximately the same. It is believed that dishes should be placed at intervals of 50 cm - so that those sitting at the table feel comfortable.

Plates with cutlery should be placed opposite each chair. Their number depends on the variety of the menu and the type of meal. For example, one plate will be enough for a regular snack, but two plates will be served for lunch and dinner.

Plates of smaller diameter are always placed on top of larger ones, which allows you to quickly replace them while saving space on the table.

Spoons and forks

Cutlery is laid out after the plates. They must be placed on the sides of the main plate, with the concave side facing the table.

Forks are placed on the left side, spoons and knives are on the right. A teaspoon can be placed on top.

It is important to place on the table only those devices that are really needed. Most often, for a regular meal, one knife, one fork and two spoons (for a hot dish and dessert) are enough. If necessary, this set can be supplemented with special devices.

Glasses

You can place glasses behind the plates, a little to the right. When deciding on the variety of glasses, goblets and wine glasses, it is necessary to take into account the number of guests and the options for drinks offered to guests.

According to the rules, containers for drinks should be arranged from largest to smallest. At the same time, you should not place too many glasses or stacks - this will only clutter the table and may cause inconvenience to guests.

Does color matter?

Color in serving has the same importance as when decorating the interior or choosing an outfit.

Most often, the table is covered with a white tablecloth, but any other color can be used to create an unusual atmosphere. Here everything will depend on the nature of the event and the preferences of the hosts.

A white tablecloth, for example, is ideal for formal dinners. It goes well with porcelain, crystal and looks elegant in any situation. At the same time, white color can be easily combined with any other color. A table decorated in a black and white palette will look original.

A combination of white and delicate pastel shades will help give a romantic mood to dinner or lunch. And the green color will bring warm spring notes to the meal. A table setting made entirely in green will look original.

A combination of white and blue will also be beautiful, but red must be used with caution, since under different conditions it can have different effects on others and affect the situation at the table.

Decor

Decor will help complete the serving and give it completeness. The main decorative element is napkins, which can be placed in a glass of water, placed next to the plates or placed on top.

For a quiet family lunch, you can use large napkins; for breakfast, smaller ones.

For large celebrations and holidays, napkins can be folded in the shape of flowers or tied in an original way. The color and pattern of napkins can be absolutely any, the main thing is that it is in harmony with the overall design picture.

Today we will talk about how to set a table beautifully and correctly, giving examples of photos of table settings for various holidays or everyday dinners. Proper table setting says a lot about the hostess, her education and taste, because one of the basic norms of ethics is the ability to set the table, know the purpose of all cutlery and use them correctly.

Choosing a tablecloth

First of all, a tablecloth is laid on the table, it would seem that this is already clear, however, this matter has its own subtleties. The tablecloth must be absolutely clean, smoothly ironed, otherwise it will only become an indicator of your untidiness. After you set the table for her, make sure she has food everywhere. equal length, and at the same time did not hang too low, since long edges can cause inconvenience for guests, and they can also be accidentally pulled, which will be an unpleasant end to the holiday. Too long ends can be secured using fabric snaps, which often have an interesting design.

Also, the tablecloth should not be too short, otherwise it will look as if the girl was wearing a dress several sizes too large. If you don’t have a tablecloth or want to set the table in an unusual way, you can use special large napkins for each person. Please note that these are not the ones that lie on your knees or are used to wipe your mouth, they are much denser in material, they are large in size, since plates, cutlery, and glasses should fit on them.

Serving rules

The next step is to arrange the plates; they are placed on top of each other depending on their size and purpose. Three types are most often used: soup, snack bar, and canteen. They are placed on the tabletop in the reverse order, since the guest will start with soup, then move on to appetizers, simply removing the already used plate from above.

Knives are placed to the right of the plate, followed by spoons in order of use. Today, the number of devices and their location are not determined as strictly as before. Since the design itself plays a huge role, based on which, according to the idea, the teaspoon can be placed not at all on the plate, but, for example, next to a saucer for cakes or served only with tea. The forks are placed on the left side with the teeth up, and the earlier it should be used, the closer it is to the plates. This arrangement of cutlery not only contributes to ease of use, but also helps guests avoid confusion.

Dessert cutlery is placed behind the plate, perpendicular to how all the others are laid out. There, on the right side, there are several glasses. A glass for non-alcoholic drinks: juice or mineral water must be present. Also about 2-3 glasses, each intended for a specific type of alcohol.

Types of glasses

Let's start with something simple, everyone knows what a flute glass is, since traditionally, especially on New Year's Day, champagne is poured into it. Although glasses of this shape are also suitable for sparkling wines. The main feature is the elongated upward shape, which allows the foam to rise and air bubbles to play inside the liquid.

Red wine glasses are also easily imaginable for most; they have a thin stem, a rounded bottom, are quite voluminous and taper towards the top. However, the type of glasses varies greatly depending on the type of wine, for example, wine glasses for “Burgundy” and “Montrachet” have a much larger volume, more reminiscent of a ball or pear, tapering less towards the top. However, it is quite rare that people at home and not even always in restaurants follow such subtleties.

A white wine glass has a more elongated shape, more like an oval. Typically, two types of wine glasses are placed side by side, a glass or glass for the chosen strong drink is added to them, and other glasses are brought as needed. Otherwise, the entire table will be filled exclusively with glasses. different types.

A glass for whiskey or cognac is low, with a thick bottom, widens towards the top, and has a simple, fairly spacious shape. The martini glass is shaped like an inverted triangle, so it's not at all difficult to recognize. For cocktails, straight glasses, shot glasses, or two-tiered glasses with complex shapes are used. If you are not decorating a bar separately, then it is better to place small saucers with lemon, lime, and olives next to the bottles.

Napkin placement options

When serving, three types of napkins are used:

• decorative;
• napkins spread across your lap;
• napkins designed for wiping hands or mouth.

Napkins that are placed on your lap can be placed on top of the soup plate, folded beautifully. Thus, when a person sits down at the table, he will immediately understand what it is intended for. On top of it you can put a small card with the guest's name or a sweet short wish. You can add a miniature flower or a piece of a spruce branch to the card.

Decorative napkins are usually placed under plates, sometimes additionally and between them. They can be folded into triangles, diamonds, or overlapping so that the colors intertwine with each other. In addition, you can also put small lace napkins under candles or glasses.

The most ordinary napkins are usually located under the cutlery, or behind the plates, but only one at a time. There should be a few more napkin holders in the center so guests can easily use whatever quantity they may need.

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Boho style decor

The “boho” style is distinguished by its brightness and abundance of various interior items and decor; it can combine dishes of completely different styles, colors and shapes. The serving looks incredibly beautiful when all the glasses are made of different materials, some have Blue colour, some pink or green. In addition, this style is characterized by an abundance of textiles, that is, under each plate there can be several napkins also made of different materials; fringe and tassels are welcome, with which you can complement a monotonous tablecloth.

An important element is lighting; several lamps, lampshades, garlands can be placed around the table or above it, and candles can be placed on the tabletop itself different forms with unusual candlesticks or small lamps. Small frames and voluminous vases with flowers will fit interestingly into the decor. It is better to make bouquets from a mixture of wild and garden flowers, so that large heads of roses, lilies, and peonies can be seen among the abundance of greenery.

Easter table

Easter decor is truly one of the cutest, because decorating eggs, baking Easter cakes and creating little bunnies with your own hands is a favorite pastime for both children and adults. The Easter table often looks stunning with baskets of colored eggs, candles and sprinkles on top of the Easter cakes. However, this is not all that can be thought of to create a beautiful festive interior.

You can make a small basket from a bunch of branches, an egg carton or any other shape. Place napkins and lace inside (which goes very beautifully with canvas fabric and coarse craft thread). You can also complement the decor with grass and flowers, both natural and artificial. And eggs, or parts of their shells, are placed on top, from which toy chicks, hares, or again flowers can emerge.

The table can be decorated with candles of different diameters and colors; low, thick candles can be placed in shells or on varnished sections of wood. Napkins, tablecloth, color of plates and dishes are best matched to the overall decor. Below are photos of Easter table settings for inspiration.

New Year decoration

When decorating the New Year's table, several colors are most often used:

• red;
• green;
• white;
• gold.

However, it is better not to mix them together; only three colors should always be the main ones. It is better to combine gold only with white, for example, white tablecloths, beige napkins, white dishes, several of which may have a gold or black border, the pattern can also be in the form of specks. Transparent wine glasses can also be complemented with gold ribbons, white candles can be placed in golden candlesticks. You can add greenery to the bouquets; branches of lingonberries or spruce will suit the atmosphere perfectly.

Decorations made from fir branches are especially popular when serving on winter days; the photo below shows an example of how best to do this. They can be placed on the table between dishes, you can use them to decorate candles, or create a wreath in which long white candles will be inserted, which can be lit closer to midnight.

New Year or Christmas, celebrated in a red and green theme, is a classic. Checkered napkins, red tablecloth, fir cones, striped candy canes, Santa socks and white candles. This design is considered one of the most stylish and is quite traditional in America, where the New Year can be called the main holiday. You can also create a more relaxed design by placing brightly colored decorations on a crisp white tablecloth.

Another stunning color combination, just more suitable for Russia: white, blue, silver. This is where you can again use glasses and napkins of different colors. You can place small Christmas decorations with silver glitter, such as deer or Christmas trees, on the table.

Holiday in nature

Perhaps one of the most beautiful types of serving is a combination of boho, rustic and natural styles. The “rustic” style implies maximum closeness to nature, which is why it mostly uses natural materials, and dishes and decor are chosen in calm natural shades. Wedding tables are often decorated in a similar decor, on which there are always many bouquets made in delicate color variations, the main elements of which are again wildflowers.

Napkins are chosen from canvas fabric and white lace, cutlery can be tied with beige lace ribbons, and glasses can also be decorated with them. An abundance of lighting is also characteristic of all three styles, however, the color variations are no longer as bright and bold as in “boho”. Often, garlands with white or yellow light bulbs are chosen, which can be hung above the table or laid out on it; they can also be hung around trees or braided around trunks.

Candles or others lighting It is not necessary to use exclusively white, but it is better to turn to pastel colors. It can be beige, light green, lilac, or soft pink - similar colors can be used throughout the interior. But again, make sure they match.

Table setting outdoors

Compliance with table setting etiquette primarily indicates the good attitude of the owner of the house towards guests. However, recently you can find a properly set table only at various kinds of 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 of decorating.

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 will forever forget about the problem of improper use of 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. The 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 in a variety of sizes, colors and styles. 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 placed on the right, glasses on the left, forming an even 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 table decor option is a tablecloth made from 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. 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 a modern style is distinguished by a variety of shapes, shades and its own 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 to setting the breakfast table is to create good mood and convenience while eating.

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.

Distinctive feature Setting the table for dinner involves setting up 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. The decor of the table creates a special atmosphere that is conducive to intimate conversations, wonderful memories and plans for the future.

To make the holiday a success, you must follow the following rules of 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 served in open bottles, after which they are poured into wine glasses. One cloth napkin is placed next to the glasses.

Banquet room

Banquet table setting is not much different from a full evening table setting, but there are some features of this type of decoration. 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. The next step is to place the cutlery at a distance of 0.5 cm from the shallow plate.

A distinctive feature of the banquet is the decoration of the table with special personalized cards, which indicate the personal information of the 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)

Page content:




• Before serving
• Serving is the final stage of preparing the table for receiving guests.
• Use of utensils when serving and serving various dishes
• Serving a formal dinner
• Banquet table setting
• Types of table linen
• Casual serving
• Serving food at banquets - drinks, appetizers, soups, hot dishes, desserts
• Examples of banquet table setting
• Types of receptions - barbecue, lunch (lunch), brunch, cocktail
• Table setting and decoration in traditional national styles
• Arrangement of tables at a banquet - "herringbone" 1-3, "presidium" 1-7, "euro" 1-2
• Rules of behavior in the restaurant

Before serving

Before setting the table, you should inspect the dishes and cutlery, paying attention to the quality of washing, defects, etc. If the inspection reveals, for example, a crack in the plate, a chip in the glass, a broken tine of a fork, or insufficiently clean cutlery, unsharpened knives, they should be replaced immediately or undergo additional processing.

Before setting tables, it is necessary to warm up with a handbrake and polish dishes and cutlery, glass or crystal.

You should know the cleaning techniques:
So, when wiping glasses, take the stem of the glass with your left hand, wrap it with part of the towel, and use the rest of the towel to wipe the glass inside and out with your right hand.
When using this technique, great care must be taken not to break the glass.
A sparkling wine glass requires special attention as it is difficult to penetrate its pointed bottom. Therefore, first carefully insert one end of the towel into the glass, and then the rest of it. Do not blow on glassware or use used napkins for cleaning.
When wiping plates, grasp them with your left hand with the end of the towel, hold the rest of the towel with your right hand and wipe the plate, turning it.
Wiping forks, spoons and knives is carried out alternately. One end of the towel in left hand take several forks, and with the rest of the towel in your right hand, wipe each utensil separately.

Preparing spices and seasonings
Serious attention should be paid to the preparation of tableware items, which include a salt shaker, pepper shaker, mustard pot, bottles for vinegar, sunflower or olive oil, and an ashtray.

Salt shaker should be made of crystal or ordinary glass, but with edges made of stainless metal. It needs to be cleaned daily. Don't put too much salt in the salt shaker.
Since fine table salt is easily moistened, it is mixed with table salt, the so-called dry salt. For this purpose, you can also put a few grains of rice in the salt shaker.
In cases where open salt shakers are used, they must be filled every day, but before that they must be washed and dried as thoroughly as possible. The surface of the salt is leveled, and the edges of the salt shaker are wiped with a towel.

Pepper shakerfill only half with dry pepper. The holes in its lid should be as small as possible. Open containers for black pepper are not used because it quickly evaporates.

Requires special caremustard. To prevent it from getting dirty on the outside, do not overfill it. To prevent the mustard from drying out, add a few drops of milk.

Better positionspare cutlery set,to replace all those that have become unusable.

Often get dirty and require replacementashtrays.They should be cleaned with a special cloth after each use. You should not clean the ashtray in the presence of guests - it must be replaced with a clean one in a timely manner.

Seasoning Bottles(sunflower oil, vinegar, etc.) can be had in limited quantities and served as needed. Bottles are not filled to the top.
To distinguish vinegar from other liquids, add a few drops of red wine.
Cloudiness of sunflower oil can be eliminated by adding a little salt to it on the tip of a knife.

When setting tables, they always placesalt And pepper.

Horseradishserved with fish dishes - boiled, jellied, meat aspic, cold boiled meat and other dishes.

Mustard, if there are no meat dishes on the table, they are not placed on the table and are served upon request on a plate or small tray (when serving a meat dish, mustard mustard is required). It is better not to buy ready-made mustard, but to prepare it yourself. There are several ways to prepare it according to a specific recipe and technology (for cooking recipes, see the end of this page).

Serving is the final stage
table preparation

It is important to provide for everyone present at the tableat least 80 cm table length.

Before serving, tables are covered with tablecloths. To do this, certain techniques are used. First, a folded tablecloth is placed on each table. Having unfolded it on the table and taking the edges of one of the sides with both hands, they lift the tablecloth and then sharply lower their hands down, as if shaking it. Air bag formed between the table and the unfolded tablecloth, makes it possible to move it in any direction and carefully place it in the desired position so that its central fold coincides with the center of the table. The perpendicular fold should also run down the middle of the table.

When setting a table with a tablecloth, do not wrinkle it, pull it by the corners or pinch it with your fingers. The corners of the tablecloth should fall against the table legs, covering them. The descent of the tablecloth on all sides of the table must be the same - no less than 25 cm and not lower than the seat of the chair; A smaller descent of the tablecloth gives the table an unsightly appearance, and a larger one is inconvenient for those sitting.

If a rectangular table needs to be covered with two tablecloths, then the first of them is laid on the side opposite from the main entrance to the hall or the main passage in it. On the second, upper tablecloth, the edge is turned inward so that a straight, even line is formed. Utility tables and sideboards are also carefully covered with tablecloths or napkins.

If you need to change the tablecloth during a meal, this should be done as quickly and almost unnoticeably as possible. Having brought a clean tablecloth, you need to move the dishes to the utility table. Then, taking the edges of a clean tablecloth and at the same time lifting the edges of the soiled one, quickly replace it. In this case, the table cover should not be exposed.

When setting the table, a certain order is followed:
- first put earthenware or porcelain dishes,
- then place the devices
- and after that they put crystal or glass.
Glasses, wine glasses, shot glasses, when placed on the table, are held by the stem.

Table settings vary depending on the nature of the meal:
- breakfast,
- dinner
- or evening guest service.
Example full serving for evening service:

Setting the table correctly is not as difficult as it seems.

In the center of each device there is a serving plate or a regular plate replacing it. The serving plate can be made of a different material than the entire service - for example, gilded and silver-plated, glass or dark porcelain, but it must be combined with it.

Place a plate of appetizer or soup on a serving plate. For puree soup, serve a soup plate, and for clear soups and broths, a cup.

For an appetizer or soup, place a small plate at the top left for bread, croutons and butter, and next to it a cup for rinsing your fingers. It will be needed if oysters, crayfish, lobster, asparagus or fruit are served. This cup is filled warm water by adding a lemon slice or mint leaf.

Next to the serving plate and a little higher, lay out all the forks, knives, and spoons that may be needed during meals.
Forks are placed on the left and knives on the right of the plate.
The last item on the plate is the one you need first.
The soup spoon, if there is no dessert on the menu, lies on top of the serving plate; if dessert is planned on the menu, it lies next to the first knife.

The glasses are located to the right and above the serving plate. The order here is the same as with cutlery: the glass farthest from the plate is used first.

After each dish, used dishes, glasses and cutlery are removed from the table.
Only the water glass is not removed during the entire feast.

Serving for different types of meals:

For breakfast nand the table is set with a vase with paper napkins (or linen ones), a pie plate, and a knife and fork and a teaspoon are served. The pie plate is placed to the left of the place where the dinner or snack plate should be. The fork is placed on the left, horns up, the knife is placed on the right, with the blade to the left of the place intended for a dinner or snack plate. A teaspoon is placed behind it. Snack plates are not placed on the table, because breakfast dishes are served already placed on appropriate plates (they need to be served if the appetizer or breakfast dish is served in a salad bowl or ram, etc., since it is not customary to eat from such dishes).

For quick service during the day at lunch a placeholder plate is placed on the table and a snack bar on it, to the left of it is a pie plate, between them is a dinner fork, and to the right of the plate is a table knife and a spoon (table or dessert); The wine glass is placed in front, behind the table knife. There should also be a vase with paper napkins or linen napkins spices that are placed on snack plates. The distance from the edge of the table to the handles of the cutlery and the snack plate is 2 cm, and to the pie plate - 5 cm.
Snack or dinner plates are placed only when dishes are served in dishes from which it is not customary to eat.
During such a meal, it is allowed to use oilcloth on the table instead of a tablecloth or cover the tablecloth with film.

When setting the table for a leisurely lunch or dinner Place a snack plate exactly opposite the chair at a distance of 2 cm from the edge of the table, and to the left, 5-10 cm, a pie plate.
Between them, place a snack fork and a dinner fork, tines up, and to the right of the snack plate - two knives: a table knife and a dinner fork with the blade facing the plate. A wine glass is placed behind the appetizer plate to the right; Place a folded napkin on the plate.
Placed in the middle of the tablesalt And pepper.
There is also a place in the center of the tablevase with Flowers. If the table is set for four people, place it on the corner or on the side facing the aisle.ashtray.

When serving dishes, the serving is supplemented depending on the nature of the dishes.

Glasses

When purchasing glasses, consider: each drink has its own vessel.
So,red wine will give greater pleasure if served in a slightly convex glass, since the larger area of ​​contact between the drink and the air contributes to a more subtle and full development of the wine’s bouquet.
For white wine use glasses with a small bowl - thanks to frequent topping, the wine in such a glass will always be cool and fresh.
For champagne Tall glasses are preferable: in them the drink foams well, “plays” longer and does not run out of steam so quickly. In champagne bowls, on the contrary, its carbonation quickly evaporates.
To the glassesfor cognac or fortified wine The same applies to glasses for red wine: the large convexity of the vessel helps to reveal the bouquet and aroma of the drink.
The range of glasses can be extensive. But it’s better to get two sets: for everyday and for special occasions; or buy one (main) set, which will be replenished later.
When purchasing, you should pay attention to the fact that the glasses match the style of the dishes and other attributes of the table setting, and that they can be used for as long as possible.
You can diversify your stock with a variety of specialty glasses, such as rum glasses, goblets, rose wine glasses, beer mugs and glasses, etc.
All glasses can be washed in a washing machine, with the exception of crystal and gold-painted glasses.: They should be washed briefly by hand in a slightly warm water with the addition of a very small amount detergent. Then they must be immediately wiped and polished with a soft, lint-free towel.
NOTE. Crystal glass contains about 50% lead oxide, which easily dissolves (leaches) in hot water, and the surface of the cookware becomes dull.
Because lead oxide is poisonous, crystal dishes can only be used at infrequent holiday feasts and in no case should you leave food and drinks in them for a long time.

An indispensable detail when setting the table is linen napkins.
Depending on the nature of the meal, they are folded in different ways, taking into account that the napkin can be easily unfolded to wipe your lips or place it on your lap.
Hygiene rules are also taken into account: the less your fingers touch the napkin, the better.

If a snack plate is not placed on the table when serving, then in its place place a starched linen napkin (no paper ones are placed) folded in four.

For lunch, as well as a festive dinner, a banquet, napkins are often folded in the shape of conical caps: first, fold the napkin in half, and then tuck its lower end, giving it the shape of a cap.

Sometimes for a festive table, a napkin is folded in the form of an envelope: first it is folded in half, then the corners are turned in, turned over - and you get an envelope. They also use the “space” method. From the line of the napkin folded in half, its corners on the right and left are folded, forming an isosceles triangle. Then the napkin is folded in half, matching the corners of the base of the triangle. There are other methods of folding napkins: “boat” - for banquets, “fan”, “tulip” - when setting a wedding table.

Using tableware for serving

For serving bread, toast, baked goods:

- with individual service - pie plates(diameter 175 mm);
- in group - bread bins, small dinner plates(diameter 240 mm).
In the absence of special bread vases, bread can be placed on a snack plate for home meals or during buffets and receptions.

To serve cold appetizers:

snack plates (diameter 200 mm)- they are also used as stands for salad bowls, etc.;
square salad bowls (sizes 240, 360, 480 and 720 ml)- for salads, pickles, marinades, mushrooms, etc. - from 1 to 6 servings;
trays, herring boxes 250 and 300 mm long, narrow - 100, 150 mm- for serving fish gastronomy, salmon, stellate sturgeon or sturgeon, natural or with a side dish, herring, sprat, sardines, saury, etc.;
oval dishes (length 350 - 400 mm)- for appetizers from fish and meat gastronomy, banquet dishes (jellied sturgeon, pike perch, etc.);
round dishes (diameter 300 and 350 mm)- for meat and vegetable appetizers, canapés and banquet dishes; turkeys, lamb saddles, etc.;
vases (diameter 240 mm) on a low leg- for a signature salad (for at least 2-3 servings), as well as for fresh tomatoes, cucumbers or radish salads, romaine lettuce, etc.;
Gravy boats (capacity 100, 200 and 400 ml)- for cold sauces or sour cream from 1 to 6 servings.
When serving, appetizer plates are first placed on the dining table; other types of utensils are used to bring appetizers to the table.

To serve first courses:

bouillon cups (300 ml capacity) with saucers- for broths, puree soups, as well as for soups with finely chopped meat or chicken and other products;
deep dinner plates (capacity 500 ml, diameter 240 mm)- for serving soups in full portions; small table plates are necessarily used as substitutes for them;
deep plates for serving soups in half portions (300 ml capacity)- for soups; snack plates are used as substitutes;
soup bowls with lids for 4, 6, 8, 10 servings- used when serving family dinners (lately, a clay pot for special dishes, which is served along with a deep dish, has also become widespread wooden spoon and placed on a substitution plate).

To serve second courses:

small dinner plates (diameter 240 mm)- for fish, meat, poultry, game, etc.;
round dishes (diameter 500 mm)- for poultry dishes, game, vegetable dishes, cauliflower, chicken cutlets, etc.; In these dishes, the food is brought and laid out on plates, which are used to set the table before serving the main courses.

To serve dessert (sweet dishes):

- for pudding, Guryev porridge, soufflé, etc.;
deep dessert plates (diameter 200 mm)- for strawberries and cream and other sweet dishes.

To serve hot drinks:

tea cups (capacity 200, 250 ml) with saucers- for tea, coffee with milk, cocoa;
tea saucers (diameter 185 mm)under glasses;
teapots for tea leaves (capacity 250, 400 and 600 ml)- for serving;
kettles for top-up boiling water (capacity 1200 -1600 ml)- for serving;
bowls (capacity 250 and 350 ml)- for green tea;
coffee pots (800 ml capacity) and black coffee pots for 1, 4 and 6 servings(100 ml containers per serving);
cups (100 ml capacity) with saucers- for black coffee, oriental coffee or chocolate (liquid) and express coffee;
milk jugs (200 ml capacity)- for milk for coffee or tea;
creamers (25, 50 and 100 ml capacity)for 1, 2 and 4 servings;
vases - for jam, sugar;
sockets (diameter 90 mm)- for jam, honey, marmalade, lemon and sugar.

To serve facts and confections:

small dessert plates (diameter 200 mm)- for apples, pears, grapes, watermelon, etc. (they differ from snack bars in their design depicting fruits; if they are not available, snack plates are served);
vases with flat surface on a low leg (diameter 300 mm)- for pastries and round cakes;
pie plates - for serving confectionery products.

Depending on the need, an appropriate number of pie, deep, small table, dessert, and snack plates is provided.

Serving an informal lunch

Usually the first course is placed on the table before the guests take their seats. Otherwise, the dinner napkin is on the shallow plate and not to the left of the forks as shown in the picture. The fish fork can be placed in three ways, one of which is shown in the picture. Ashtrays are also required.

The casual dining menu is not very strict. It may include only two dishes, but usually their number is limited to five.
Soup may not be served, especially if lunch begins with an appetizer.
At an informal dinner, soup is never served in traditional deep soup bowls (lamps, pots, etc. are used).

Salad is usually served along with an intermediate dish - it’s easier.
A special knife is used depending on the type of salad and whether cheese is served with it.

The salad can be served separately as a fourth course; it can also replace dessert, especially if different types of cheese are served along with it.

At an informal dinner, dessert utensils can be placed on the table ahead of time by placing them in front of a shallow plate. Otherwise, they are brought on a dessert plate, or the hostess herself puts them on a dessert plate and gives them to the guests along with dessert.
When dessert is served in advance and the dessert utensils are on a filled plate, they are not rearranged. If the cutlery is on an empty dessert plate, on which there may be a bowl for rinsing fingers, the guest should place the dessert fork to the left and the dessert spoon to the right of the plate.

Left: How to serve dessert utensils to a guest: on a dessert plate there is a dessert fork and a dessert spoon, between them on a napkin and/or a small plate there is a bowl for rinsing fingers (a mandatory accessory for formal dinners and lunches).

Right: the guest lays out the dessert utensils as follows: a napkin and a bowl for rinsing the fingers are placed in front of the plate on the left, a fork is placed on the left, and a spoon is placed on the right of the dessert plate and wait for dessert to be served. At an informal dinner, you can serve black coffee in small cups along with dessert.

It is better if cutlery and other serving items are arranged radially on a round table.
The table should not be overloaded.
If the main table is not too large, then everything you need can be placed on additional tables.

In any case, it is more convenient to dine while sitting. The dinner table is set as usual, only small and serving plates are not placed.
Everything is placed on the table necessary equipment, ashtrays, salt shakers, pepper shakers, napkins, glasses for water and wine, put a candelabra and flowers, in some cases put name cards.
Guests fill their plates at the buffet counter and then take their assigned seats at the table.

Example of serving one place at the table

The dinner napkin is placed on a shallow plate before the guest takes his seat.
The usual number of glasses for a formal dinner is shown: for water, sherry (for the first course), red wine for meat, dessert wine.
Sometimes white wine is served with fish instead of sherry, or both. Sometimes only champagne is served throughout the meal.
Please note: the oyster fork is placed among the other forks, but there cannot be more than three forks on the table at the same time. In this case, the salad utensils will be served along with the food.
A real formal dining table does not have ashtrays. The butter plate is excluded.

Banquet table setting

1. Pie plate (used for serving bread, pies, croutons and other flour products)
2. Fish fork (used if fish dishes are expected to be served at the banquet)
3. Table fork (used when serving to serve main courses)
4. Place plate (remains on the table until the end of the banquet, all other plates are placed on it)
5. Plate 27cm (used for serving main courses)
6. Deep plate (used if the menu includes first courses)
7. A table knife (in the same way as a table fork is used when serving main courses)
8. Table spoon (needed when serving first courses)
9. Fish knife (used if serving fish dishes)
10. Snifter (cognac glass)
11. Red wine glass
12. White wine glass
13. Flute glass (champagne glass)

1. Serving items. Bar glass.

When setting the table, glass and crystal utensils are used to serve alcoholic beverages and other various drinks.
The technology for making glass is much simpler than crystal; glassware cheaper and therefore recommended for everyday use home practice, as well as at large-scale events, because this will significantly reduce all costs and risks.
Crystal glassware, as a rule, used for special occasions - receptions, banquets high level.
The capacity of glasses used for serving depends on the strength of the drink: the stronger the drink, the smaller the capacity of the glass should be.
A highball glass should be used to serve water, soft drinks and some types of cocktails.
There are 2 types of glasses for serving wine, the choice of which is determined by the color of the wine.
For red wine, you should use large glasses, this helps saturate the wine with oxygen and open up the bouquet. An example of such a glass is a 260 ml red wine glass.
White wine is poured into 2/3 glasses, smaller than for red, and chilled. An example of such a glass is a 210 ml white wine glass.
Champagne should be served in a flute champagne flute. It is narrowed towards the top, which allows the drink to remain carbonated.
There are also glasses for beer. They are expanded towards the center and on the stem. These glasses can also be used to serve various cocktails.
Vodka should be served in small 50 ml vodka glasses or in a shot glass.
Whiskey is served in a rocks glass, or as it is also called an old fashion glass. One thing to keep in mind is that the ice must be served separately using special ice tongs.
In order for your guests to truly enjoy skates and brandy, they must be served in a special glass for brandy and cognac - a snifter.
Don't forget about a glass bowl for serving desserts, a jug and a fruit bowl.

Red wine glass 260 ml.
White wine glass 210 ml.
Flute champagne glass 190 ml.
Beer glass 300 ml.
Vodka glass 50 ml.
Glass of Rocks Old Fashioned 250 ml.
Highball glass 300 ml.
Snifter glass 390 ml.
Jug 1 l.

2. Serving items. Table porcelain.

All personal plates used today for table setting are divided into deep and shallow. Deep plates Ø 22.5 cm are used for serving hot and cold seasoning soups (cabbage soup, borscht, okroshka, etc.).
Small plates for table setting are distinguished by great variety.
There are small table plates for main courses O 25 cm, appetizer or dessert plates O 21 cm (for cold and hot appetizers), pie plates O 16 cm (for serving bread, rolls, toast).
Snack plates can also be used as dessert plates (for desserts: fresh and canned fruit, puddings).
What plates will be served for table service depends on the menu. For breakfast, when the number of dishes is small, usually only one snack plate is placed.
For lunch and dinner, serving is more complicated: two or three small plates, placed one on top of the other in order of decreasing diameter, starting with a substitution plate O 30.5 cm plus a deep plate for first courses, which is served after the appetizers are eaten.
There is also special group tableware for serving common dishes, such as cold appetizers, salads, cold cuts, etc.
For serving cheese, meat and fish. To serve soup correctly sometimes you have to rack your brains, because... There are quite a lot of guests, and the soup must be served hot.
A porcelain tureen with a capacity of 3 liters will help to cope with this situation; this is about 8-10 servings.
Place the tureen with soup on the table, and serve from it into personal plates - the soup will remain hot, and the guests will be satisfied with the level of service.
When serving hot drinks - tea, coffee, cocoa, etc., utensils should be used in accordance with their intended purpose.
To serve tea, you should use a teapot, tea pairs - a tea cup and saucer. To serve coffee, a creamer, a coffee steamer.

Deep plate O 22.5 cm.
Stand plate Ø 30.5 cm.
Pie plate O 16 cm.
Oval dish.
Tureen 3 l.
Tea pair 0.22 l.
Milk jug 0.3 l.
Egg stand.

3. Serving items. Cutlery.

Basic cutlery is divided into tableware, dessert, tea and coffee cutlery.
A distinctive feature of the objects in each group is their size.







Table knife.
Table fork.
Dinner spoon.
Fish knife.
Meat knife.
Lemon fork.

Dessert cutlery
Among tableware, dessert and tea/coffee cutlery, cutlery is the largest. All devices are considered personal items.
A table fork designed for table setting in almost every occasion.
A table knife can also be considered a must.
To use seasoning soups from deep plates, use a tablespoon.
Etiquette rules require the use of a separate knife for meat, with a pointed end and sharp teeth, and a separate, curved triangular table knife for fish.
A similar rule applies to forks: there are many various types special utensils - a lemon fork, a three-pronged fish fork, snail forks, etc.
Time takes its toll, and the scope of application of these devices goes far beyond the rules of etiquette, which prescribe the use of cutlery for eating hot meat dishes with side dishes, which are eaten from small table dishes for hot dishes. They are often used for serving common dishes, as serving utensils, and even for serving original appetizers at buffets and other types of receptions.

Dessert fork.
Dessert knife.
Dessert spoon.

Serving utensils
Very important for serving common dishes and setting tables. For example, a ladle is used to serve soups from a common dish to personal plates. The ladle is also useful for serving punches and other drinks.
When there are a large number of different snacks on the table, guests have the problem of serving dishes from a common dish to a personal plate.
To serve cold appetizers, a serving fork, a serving knife and a serving spoon will help.
For fresh vegetable salads, use a salad serving spoon.
For personal serving, or serving on a personal plate from a common dish of fish dishes, you should use a fish serving fork and a fish serving knife.
Very often, various sauces are served with dishes. In this case, a sauce spoon will help.
When serving desserts, you may need a cake spatula and cake tongs, which can also be used at buffets and coffee breaks to serve baked goods.
To serve bread, special bread tongs are provided, which can be used for other needs if necessary.
There are special ice tongs that should be used when serving spirits.

Serving spoon for salad.
Serving fork.
Spoon for sauce.
Cake tongs.
Cake spatula.

Tea and coffee utensils
Tea and coffee utensils (these are the smallest in size) are used to set tables when serving hot drinks.
Before you start drinking from a cup, a teaspoon should be placed on a saucer; the same rule applies to a coffee spoon.
To put sugar from a porcelain sugar bowl into a cup, you need to use sugar tongs.

Teaspoon.
Coffee spoon.

Table linen
Table linen includes rectangular tablecloths, buffet skirts, textile napkins, table covers, chair covers, and tablecloths for round tables.
A tablecloth is one of the main elements of table setting, but not only its decoration, as many believe. Each table setting item has its own meaning and function. The tablecloth combines three. Firstly, it is aesthetic - a tablecloth gives the table a presentable appearance and fashionability. Secondly, the tablecloth reduces the sound of plates and cutlery hitting the tabletop. Thirdly, it improves the grip of the plates and the table.
The sizes of tablecloths depend on what table they will be used for and for what purpose. For example, if you need a tablecloth for a rectangular buffet table measuring 1.8x0.8x0.75 m, where 0.75 is the height of the table, you need a tablecloth that will cover the tabletop, and it is not necessary that it completely cover the legs, i.e. To. they will be covered with a buffet skirt.
Let's do the math: the length should be > 1.8 m, width > 0.8 m. It is advisable that the tablecloth hangs a little (about 30 cm), so we will use a rectangular tablecloth 2.4 x 1.8 m.
If you decide to place your guests at a rectangular table of the same size, then you should choose a tablecloth that completely covers the table. Let's add up the lengths of all sides and heights.
We get 0.75 + 0.8 + 0.75 - width, 0.75 + 1.8 + 0.75 - length.
Thus, we get a rectangular tablecloth 3.2x2.3 m.
If the tablecloth is strictly rectangular, then the corners will puff up, but manufacturers should take care of this first. The professional cut allows the tablecloth to lie perfectly on the table, covering it to the floor on all sides.
Tablecloths for round tables should also have a round shape in order to optimally fit the table and look like the main detail of the table decoration.
The tablecloth must be made of professional restaurant fabric that will hold its shape and also retain its original color and other original characteristics.
One of the biggest difficulties for manufacturers of round tablecloths, especially large diameters, such as a round tablecloth O 3.3 m for a round table O 1.8 m. The difficulty is to make such a large tablecloth without a seam in the middle, which is exactly what a tablecloth should be if it claims to be a quality product. A tablecloth of this size will completely cover the table to the floor.
Recently, there has been a trend of using buffet skirts to decorate round tables. This is not entirely correct. By using a large tablecloth, you will avoid unnecessary costs associated with using a buffet skirt and benefit from the aesthetic perception of the final result.
When choosing the color of a tablecloth, you need to rely on the occasion for which the table is being set, the location and format of the event. Conservative white color is at the same time the most universal. Suitable for almost any occasion. Recently, warmer colors have been increasingly used - beige, cream, ivory, etc. But olive, pistachio colors. Bright colors are also suitable for certain occasions.
One of the main criteria when choosing a color should be the combination of dishes and textiles; if there is no harmony, guests may think about the taste of the host.
Often, when setting the table, a table top is used. This is very convenient, because... it will prevent the tablecloth from getting dirty and increase its service life. Also, the use of a naperon allows you to combine colors to create a special atmosphere.
A buffet skirt is used to create buffet areas. Often one table is not enough to serve all menu items. In these cases, the tables are composed and in order to visually present them as a single whole, a buffet skirt is attached along the edges of the table. This way you can combine any number of tables.
IN beginning of XXI century, a new participant appears in table setting - a chair cover (we are talking about table setting at a banquet).
The covers must fit perfectly on the chair. The chair legs should be covered and the fabric should not be visible. Depending on the cut, the cover fits. It can completely follow the contours of the chair, or it can have a free shape with elegant folds.
Table napkins appeared in most European countries during the Middle Ages. Before that, instead of them, they used either their own sleeves or the ends of the tablecloth, hanging down to the floor. Woven napkins, as a rule, come complete with the tablecloth, harmonizing with it in color and material. Napkins in the same color as the tablecloth will look better if their fabric is thinner than the tablecloth's fabric. If the napkins are slightly different from the tablecloth, the material may be the same.
The size of table napkins can be different: napkins 32x32 cm and smaller sizes are used for breakfast, and napkins from 40x40 to 60x60 cm are more suitable for lunch and dinner.
Napkins should be starched immediately before use: do not store them in this form in the closet to avoid the formation of creases.
Table etiquette at the beginning of the century required placing a napkin in the collar of one's clothes, while modern rules of table etiquette require placing it on one's lap (a napkin is placed in the collar only for small children).
During breakfast, the napkin is placed on the lap in a straightened form.
During lunch - folded in half, folded towards you.
To wipe your fingers, you need to fold the napkin in half and take it with the fingertips of both hands.
To avoid tearing the paper napkin, you need to make movements only with your fingers.
Wrinkle up the used paper napkin and place it under the plate.
When you finish eating, place all dirty napkins on a plate along with the used utensils.

The tablecloth is rectangular.
Cream table napkin.
Buffet skirt.
The tablecloth is round.
Chair cover.
The tape for the cover is blue.
Round tablecloth to the floor.
Universal black case.
The tablecloth is golden.
Golden buffet skirt.
Universal red case.
Blue buffet skirt.
Rectangular tablecloth to the floor.

Casual serving

One of the options for everyday serving.
The table is covered with a tablecloth.
The plates are placed at the same distance, the cutlery is placed in the same way as on the festive table. A bread box with thinly sliced ​​bread is placed in the middle of the table, next to it is a bowl of seasonings.
Cloth napkins are placed to the right of the plate, next to the spoon and knife. Napkins can also be placed in rings.
There are certain rules for setting the table.
First of all, the dishes on the table must be located in a straight line.
All devices are located at hand; those items that will be needed earlier are located further from the plate, where it is more convenient to take them.
Knives are placed to the right of the main plate with the blade facing it, forks are placed to the left, with the tip up, so as not to spoil the tablecloth.
The fish knife should be to the right of the roast knife.
If appetizers are served before the fish or roast, then they also need a fork and knife, slightly smaller than for the roast.
In accordance with the order in which the dishes are served, they are the most extreme, i.e. are farthest from the plate.
There are never more than three pairs of knives and forks on the table.
Knives and forks are placed at a distance of 1 cm from each other.
Spoons are placed on the table with the convex side down.
The soup and dessert spoons behind the plate should lie parallel to the edge of the table, with their handles pointing to the right.
The soup spoon can be placed to the right of the plate next to the knife (to the right of the latter).
All dishes that are not served in portions are served with a spoon, fork, scoop, tweezers, etc.
Butter is served with a special knife in the same way as salt and mustard - with appropriate spoons.
Dishes with side dishes and roasts are served with a spoon and fork. If the household does not have the appropriate appliances, ordinary ones are used instead.
The place of the glass is on the right, behind the device.
The beer glass is placed on a metal, glass or plastic stand, which is designed to protect the tablecloth from beer foam.
For fruit drink, juice or lemonade, either special narrow, so-called lemonade glasses, or tulip-shaped glasses are served.
The glasses are also placed on the right in a row or in a semicircle. It is only important that they are arranged in accordance with the order in which the drinks are consumed, i.e. the glass that will be needed first should be on the far right, etc.

Wine glasses are chosen according to the type of wine.
For sweet and dessert wines - tulip-shaped on a stem, for red ones - also tulip-shaped, but larger in size and with a wider top part.
A white wine glass should be even larger and have a higher stem. The tallest glass is for champagne. In general, the stronger the drink, the smaller the glass. Therefore, vodka and liqueurs are offered in small glasses. Cognac is usually poured into large glasses that taper towards the top. Pour cognac to the very bottom. Vodka glasses can be either thick-walled without a stem or thin-walled with stems. If they are without legs, then there should be small napkins under them.

Festive table setting

General principles of serving a festive table.
When setting a festive table, first cover it with a soft cloth (polished, with oilcloth on top of the cloth), then with a starched and well-ironed tablecloth.
The best table decoration is fresh flowers, but they do not fall on the dishes placed on the table.
For fruits, vases with small legs are best suited.
Small large plates (according to the number of guests) are placed at an equal distance from each other and closer to the edges of the table, with snack bars on them.
To the right of the plate, place a knife (sharp side towards the plate) and a spoon if the first course is to be served.
On the left side - a fork (the spoon and fork are placed with the convex side down).
Snack bars and fish utensils are placed on special occasions.
A glass for mineral water is placed in front of the plate.
The dessert device, if the size of the table allows, is placed behind a wine glass or served at the end.
Cloth napkins are folded and placed on top of the appetizer plate.
Bread bins are placed on opposite sides.
In the center of the table there are vases with flowers and fruits.
Dishes, plates, salad bowls, gravy boats, and vessels with seasonings - mustard, pepper, vinegar - are placed throughout the free space. All appetizers are served with general appliances- spoons, forks, spatulas.
Bottles of fruit and mineral water are placed in different places on the table and opened immediately before sitting at the table. It is recommended to finish serving half an hour before guests arrive.
The table for evening tea on a holiday is also decorated with fresh flowers and vases of fruit.
The table can be covered with a colored tablecloth that matches the color of the tea set. Place dessert or snack plates, place napkins on top of the plates; to the left of each plate is a dessert fork, to the right is a knife.
In the middle of the table place a dish with a pie, cake or pastries, vases with jam, lemon, a candy bowl, a creamer, a sugar bowl. If tea is poured at the table, then next to the place occupied by the hostess, teapots with boiling water and brewed tea, glasses with coasters or cups with saucers are placed.

Serving food at banquets

Serving food and drinks

When serving a banquet, all dishes, drinks, fruits, etc. must be brought from the distribution room on a tray. Dishes are placed on a tray in one row; It is not allowed to place one dish on top of another. It is not recommended to place different types of food on the tray (for example, fish and dairy dishes)
The waiter must first place a brought tray of food or drinks on a utility table, and then serve it to visitors from this table.
Plating is done on a utility table, which in restaurants is moved to the dining table.
If a portioned dish consists of two pieces of meat or two cutlets, then you can put one piece or one cutlet and part of the side dish on the plate, and leave the rest of the portion on the dish and place it on the table in front of the guest.
If a portioned dish is ordered for several people and there are women among them, then the eldest of them is served first.
You can also place food directly on plates placed in front of visitors.
At the request of the visitor, a dish or tureen is placed on the dining table so that the visitor can pour or transfer the food to the plate placed in front of him. In this case, it is necessary to serve, depending on the nature of the dish, an additional ladle, serving or tablespoon, fork, or both
For hot dishes, plates are served warm.

Serving snacks

When serving banquets, first of all, bread is served, which is placed on a pie plate and placed on the left side of the visitor, and butter, at the request of the guest, and then snacks should be served.
Snacks are served on snack plates (25-27 cm), or in portioned salad bowls, which are placed on small plates.
When serving several types of snacks, they are served in a specific order. Of the cold appetizers, the first to be served are caviar, fish, lightly salted or boiled, aspic, with mayonnaise, in marinade; This is followed by salads - fish, meat, vegetables; followed by cold meat snacks - ham, tongue, fried meat, Domestic bird or game, etc.
After cold appetizers, hot appetizers are sometimes served: fried ham, mushrooms in sour cream, etc.
Caviar is served in caviar bowls, in the metal part of which (under the glass rosette) there is finely crushed ice. Green onions The caviar is served separately on a rosette.
In the absence of a metal caviar maker, granular caviar can be served in a vase (cremanka) placed on a pie plate. Caviar spatulas are used to spread the caviar.
Fish, meat, and vegetable salads are served in crystal or porcelain salad bowls; They are placed on a small table or dessert plate. Place a tablespoon or dessert spoon on the plate, depending on the size of the salad bowl. If a salad, for example a green one, serves as an addition to any dish, then it is placed on the left side of the table substitution plate on which the plate with the food stands.

Serving soups

When serving banquets, soups, both hot and cold, with the exception of broths, are served in deep plates placed on shallow ones.
The waiter places the tureen with soup on a utility table and then pours the soup into heated deep plates.
If the guest wishes, the tureen can be placed on the table on a shallow plate, placing a ladle near the tureen on a pie plate. It is recommended to pour part of the soup into a plate (about 300 g), after which the tureen with the remaining soup is placed on the table in front of the visitor, giving him the opportunity to pour the rest of the soup himself.
Transparent broths are served in heated broth bowls, with a dessert spoon placed on the saucer, or in deep plates.
Pies or croutons are served with the broth on a pie plate, with soups (cabbage soup, borscht) - pies or cheesecakes, etc.
Cold soups are also served in bowls or deep plates

Serving hot dishes

When serving banquets, second hot courses can be divided into the following sections in accordance with the order of serving:
1) Fish dishes- Various utensils are used to serve these dishes.
Boiled fish is served on dishes, poached in oval dishes with a lid; fried fish on plates; baked in pans or in shells that are placed on small plates.
The sauce for boiled fish is served in a separate sauce boat.
When serving fish as a whole, for example sterlet, after showing the dish to the guest, the waiter on a stand table divides the fish into portions and places it along with the side dish on small plates.
When dividing fish into portions, you need to make sure that the pieces are as uniform as possible.
Fish dishes are served with special fish forks and fish knives, and if these are not available, only one table fork should be served, placing it on the right side.
2) Meat dishesusually served on small plates.
Natural meat products (steak, fillet and breaded chops, schnitzels) are served in small plates of different sizes, stewed in sauce (stew, braised beef) - in individual pots with a lid.
3) Poultry and gameserved on dishes or in pots, and salads for them - separately in salad bowls.
When portioning chopped chicken or turkey, place two pieces of poultry on each plate - one (white) from the breast and the other (dark) from the leg.
4) Vegetable dishesServe on heated small plates or frying pans.
Sauces for vegetable dishes are served separately in gravy boats.
Baked vegetables are served in the pans in which they were cooked.
If vegetables are independent dishes Only forks are served, and also a tablespoon for transferring to a plate.

Serving dessert

When serving banquets, before serving dessert, all excess dishes, as well as leftover bread, are removed from the table.
Cold sweet dishes such as: mousses, ice cream are served in bowls, fruit salads are also served in bowls, frozen punches are served in conical glasses or tea cups
Hot sweet dishes are served in different ways: for example, Guryev porridge is served in frying pans; puddings in portions - on dessert plates, and as a whole in porcelain dishes, the sauce is served separately in a gravy boat

Example of banquet table setting

Example of dessert table setting

Example of festive New Year's table setting

An example of serving a New Year's dessert table

Types of techniques

B-B-Q

Barbecue is an option for an informal reception that is held outdoors.
Usually close friends or relatives are invited to it, which is quite acceptable to do over the phone.
To carry out such a reception, you need to have two things: enough space and special equipment for preparing dishes.
Barbecue is cooked on a special grill.
If this reception is being held in the evening, you will want your garden or reception area to be brightly lit with lanterns or string lights.
If it gets cool in the evening, you can invite guests to go to the veranda or into the house.
A formal set is not required for table setting; on the contrary, ordinary dishes and cutlery will look good.
Don't forget about flowers - they can be placed in jugs or unusual vessels - they emphasize the charm of a summer evening.
The main dish at a barbecue reception is meat, fish or game cooked on a brazier.
You can prepare light snacks, but there should be few of them, since the main course is very filling. Nuts and crispy potatoes are quite suitable.
Don't forget to add more herbs and sauces.
The host usually handles the hot dishes, and after he puts the guest’s favorite piece of meat or fish, the guest himself will choose the seasoning or herbs that he likes best.
Any drinks can be served - beer, wine, and juices - the main thing is that they are combined with the prepared barbecue.

Lunch (lunch)

Lunch has recently become very popular and sometimes replaces a light lunch, since lunch time (13 o'clock) coincides with the lunch break in many institutions.
Invitations to lunch are usually made by telephone, but if it is a business lunch to which a serious partner or famous person is expected to be invited, then it is better to send an invitation.
Cocktails or a glass of wine are sometimes served before lunch; of course, it is reasonable to offer mineral water as well.
If the lunch is formal, then the service is the same as at a formal dinner, i.e. The plates are filled in the kitchen, and only dishes with fruits, sweets and nuts are placed on the table.
The lunch menu is usually modest and does not include more than four courses. Often these are fruit salads, seafood, one hot dish.
A characteristic feature of any lunch is hot pastries. The oil for it is prepared in advance, and it is preferable that it be in the form of balls or curls rather than simple cubes.
Saucers for bread and butter, pepper shakers and salt shakers are removed from the table before dessert is served.
Lunch is usually served with one type of wine, usually a light one, such as Rhine wine or claret.
Typical lunch drinks are tea or iced coffee.
It is always appropriate to place either a pitcher of water or glasses of water in front of each appliance.

Brunch

This type of reception is a late breakfast leading to an early lunch, which is held closer to lunch.
Brunch is informal, even casual, and you don’t need to look for a special occasion for it - it is held when you just want to meet with friends or neighbors.
Treats are placed on the table, like a buffet at a reception; they are usually more modest than at dinner or lunch - beautiful sandwiches, waffles, pieces of chicken in sour cream.
They also prepare one signature dish.
Juices and coffee are placed on a separate table.

Cocktail

One of the most common forms of reception, since they are quite democratic, require less time to prepare, and they allow you to receive a large number of guests in a relatively small room.
Cocktails can be business cocktails, which are held between meetings at congresses and symposiums and last 40-50 minutes, and cocktail banquets lasting up to 2 hours, they are often held in the fresh air.
You can invite someone to a cocktail party (not a business one) by telephone if there are many guests, or by sending out invitations if you are planning to host a large group of people.
At a cocktail party, you can offer guests any snacks, the main condition is that they can be eaten without cutlery (only with skewers).
On the table where the appetizers are placed, you can also place a stack of small plates so that guests can put their chosen appetizers on them, although, of course, it is not very convenient to hold a glass in one hand and a plate in the other, while trying to communicate and exchange with someone handshakes.
Since snacks are often greasy, it is necessary to put paper or cloth napkins, which can temporarily act as plates and prevent guests from accidentally getting dirty. By the way, if you don’t want unsightly circles left on your tables from plates and glasses, lay out more decorative round paper or straw coasters.
The cocktail menu can be very diverse, for example, olives, sandwiches - canapés with caviar, salmon, sturgeon, ham, plates with pate, salad, for main course - pieces of fish in dough, chicken wings, and much more. For dessert they usually offer ice cream, jelly, fresh fruit, cake, and nuts.
The very name of the reception - cocktail - suggests a fairly wide selection of drinks. It is important to buy enough drinks so that there is enough for everyone.
It is usually assumed that each guest will drink an average of three drinks.
Of course, not all invitees will drink alcohol, so you definitely need to stock up on non-alcoholic drinks in abundance - juices, mineral and sparkling water, and prepare fruit juice or kvass.
You need to think in advance which cocktails should be served in this case.

Tips for setting a home holiday table

As described above, depending on the occasion and type of feast, as well as the intended menu, different serving.
A home holiday table can befamily(family members only)orguest – followed by invited guests.
The aesthetics of the table largely depends on the tablecloth, napkins, cutlery, dishes, flower arrangements present on the table, as well as on the overall harmony with the interior of the room, its colors and style.
1. The tablecloth must be correctly selected for the size of the table, clean and ironed. The ends of the tablecloth should hang down evenly by 25-30 cm, and its corners should cover the top of the table legs.
2. Napkins are selected to match the tablecloth. If you fold them into a triangle, a cap or another original way, you will get an excellent table decoration. Place a shaped napkin on each set of plates.
3. All plates and cutlery must be placed in the order in which the dishes will be served.
For example, a plate for appetizers is placed on a hot plate.
All plates should be placed a short distance from the edge of the table, forming a straight line parallel to the edge.
4. Forks and knives are placed at a distance of 1 cm from each other and are located further from the plate the sooner they are needed.
The salad fork will be the outermost, and the hot fork will be the last one near the plate.
Dessert cutlery is placed on top of the plate.
There are never more than three pairs of knives and forks on the table.
5. Knives should be placed on the right with the blade towards the plate, spoons should be placed with the bulge down, and forks should be placed to the left of the plate with the teeth up so as not to spoil the tablecloth.
Soup spoons can be placed on the right, to the right of the outermost knife.
6. Glasses (shot glasses) are placed to the right of the plates in the same sequence in which drinks will be served.
If there are different drinks on the table, then the glasses should be different.
When arranging glasses, make sure that they do not interfere with taking a spoon.
If it is intended to serve only water, then a wine glass or glass is placed behind each plate, in the center or slightly to the right.
If kvass or fruit drink is served instead of water, then instead of a wine glass, place a mug with the handle to the right.
7. The basic principle when serving alcohol is that the stronger the drink, the smaller the glass.
The best wines and other alcoholic drinks should be served at the beginning of the feast, then, as the amount drunk increases, the quality of the drinks is felt by tipsy guests to be much weaker and simpler drinks can be served.
If you want to get your guests more drunk, start and end the festive meal with champagne, and in the middle of the meal, serve any drinks to taste and availability.
Wine glasses are chosen according to the type of wine.
For sweet and dessert wines - tulip-shaped on a stem, for red ones - also tulip-shaped, but larger in size and with a wider top part.
A white wine glass should be even larger and have a higher stem.
The tallest glass is for champagne.
Vodka and liqueurs are served in small glasses. Vodka glasses can be either thick-walled without a stem or thin-walled with stems. If they are without legs, then there should be small napkins under them.
About the compatibility of dishes and drinks.
It is better to serve stronger alcoholic drinks with dense and heavy dishes with thick sauce.
For light snacks and salads would be better suited light wine.
Expensive wine with a complex taste is best served with simple dishes, while simpler wines are better served with complex dishes with many components and subtle flavors.
If wine is used in the preparation of any dish, then it must be served with this dish.
Sweet and liqueur wines are served with dessert, and the wine should be sweeter than the served dish.
As a rule, white wines are more suitable for fish and seafood dishes, and red wines are more suitable for meat and vegetable dishes.
Coffee or ice cream goes perfectly with coffee or ice cream. cream liqueur.
Champagne is served with fruits or nuts, such as almonds.
Fill glasses with drinks to no more than three-quarters of their capacity.
8. Utensils with salt and pepper are placed in the middle part of the table on special stands.
If there is a need for it, the device with mustard is placed nearby.
You can also place bottles of vinegar, vegetable oil or hot sauces next to the spices.
9. The butter is served with a special knife, and the salt and mustard are served with appropriate spoons.
10. The bread is placed on the table on several plates so that it is convenient for all guests to get it.
11. Cold appetizers are arranged alternating fish, meat and vegetable dishes.
12. Soup should be served in a tureen, and hot dishes should be served in special dishes or rams (a dish with a lid).
13. Wine and mineral water should be placed on the table uncorked.
14. Bottles of fruit and mineral water are placed in different places on the table and opened immediately before sitting at the table.
15. Juices and fruit drinks are served in jugs.
Vodka and various strong liqueurs are best served in decanters.
Wine and cognac are served in bottles.
16. All dishes and salads should have separate spoons.
17. Flowers are ideal for decorating a holiday table. These can be compositions from both living plants and dry ones.
By placing two or three small bouquets in different parts of the table you will create a festive atmosphere. An alternative is to place a large bouquet in the middle of the table, or a very small bouquet next to each plate.
The main rule for fresh flowers is that the plants must be spotlessly clean; petals, leaves and pollen must not be allowed to fall on the table.
Flowers can be placed on the table in any flat dish or low vases so that the bouquets do not obscure the people sitting at the table or the dishes for which the setting was carefully selected.
18. The main rule for successful serving is that the festive table should not be “cracked” with an overabundance of dishes and utensils. A properly set table requires freely arranged appetizers and salad bowls and a sufficient amount of personal space for each guest.
19. It is recommended to finish serving half an hour before guests arrive.
It is advisable to provide a small serving table next to the hostess’s place, on which clean plates, spare cutlery, napkins, extra bread and other necessary things will be at hand.
20. It is strongly recommended not to turn on the TV, or even better, move it to an adjacent room, as well as all mobile phones.
21. Advice for purifying vodka.
To save money, you can avoid buying expensive vodka and purify cheap ones.
To purify vodka, add 5 tablets of Karbolene (activated carbon) purchased at a pharmacy, slightly crushed into small pieces with a knife handle (but not crushed into powder), to a half-liter bottle.
Then the bottle is closed and vigorously shaken for 2-3 minutes, while the vodka turns black. After 10 minutes, the shaking is repeated. After half an hour, you can shake the bottle again.
After this, the bottle is left completely alone in the dark for 2-3 days.
At the end of the settling, a dense black layer of activated carbon is deposited at the bottom of the bottle, and above it is the purest vodka, which is very carefully siphoned off from the sediment.
Do not try to filter the vodka to speed up the process - the filter will instantly become clogged with carbon and filtration will stop.
You must wait patiently until the coal itself completely precipitates.
The loss of vodka is about 5%, which remains at the bottom in black coal sediment. The more Karbolene you add, the greater the loss of vodka.
Vodka purified in this way is superior in purity and taste to any most expensive one.

Dining table etiquette:
what, what and how they eat

In general, the rule should be that at official receptions, everything, with the exception of bread, is eaten only with the help of appropriate cutlery.

For a formal meal, if you cannot handle this dish using the cutlery intended for it, it is better to abandon it and opt for something more familiar.

In an informal setting, in different places, especially in different countries, in different environments and in different situations, there may be slightly different rules. For example, during a friendly hunt, game cooked over a fire can be taken with your hands. But even during a friendly fishing trip on the river bank near a fire, if you reach into a common pot of fish soup with your hands for a piece of fish you like, those around you are unlikely to approve.

So the main thing in any meal and in any circumstances is to always maintain common sense and not spoil the mood and appetite of the people around you with your behavior.

If you have any doubts about the way to eat a given dish, do not rush into it - first watch how others in the same group eat this dish.

X They take the leb from a common tray with their hands and, placing it on a pie plate (or on the edge of the snack bar), break off small pieces from it, which they put into the mouth.

B Uterbrods served with aperitifs are taken with hands, but at the table they are eaten with a knife and fork. The exception is canapés on skewers, which do not require utensils.

H To make a sandwich, first place butter or pate with a special knife on the right side of the snack plate (but not on the edges of the plate), and next to it - a piece of bread. Then spread it, holding it with your left hand and without lifting it from the plate.
Eat the sandwich using a knife and fork.

X Leb for eating with jam or honey is first cut into oblong pieces, and only then spread and put into the mouth with a fork.

WITH UP, served in a cup with one handle, is drunk directly from the cup. If the soup is served in a cup with two handles, use a dessert spoon. Whether to scoop liquid towards or away from you with a spoon is a matter of taste.
How to bring a spoon to your mouth? In Germany this is done with the narrow end of a spoon, and in England and other countries - sideways (this is more correct).
You can drink the remaining soup in the cup by holding the cup by the handles. But the plate should not be tilted; it is better to leave small remnants of soup at the bottom.

F stuffed vegetables, filled pancakes, omelets and dishes in dough baskets are cut with a knife and eaten with a fork.

B Large sausages are eaten using utensils, small ones are taken by hand and dipped in mustard laid out on the edge of the plate.

D Long pasta can be “shortened” with a fork.
The spaghetti is not cut, but rolled onto a fork on the edge of the plate, holding it with a tablespoon.

WITH The cheese is served either sliced ​​or a whole piece (the knife is placed next to it) and eaten with a cheese or appetizer fork.

C Eat lettuce leaves by tearing off small pieces with your hands. If it is served sliced, you need to use a fork.

ABOUT The olives are taken with a special spoon with holes to drain the marinade. Place the bones on a fork and then on a plate.

R Hot smoked and boiled fish with thin skin is eaten using a fork.
In this case, the smoked meat is first freed from skin and bones on one side, and after eating, it is turned over and proceed to the other.
If the skin is thick (like, for example, trout), it is cut with a knife on both sides near the ridge and removed with a fork.
Pickled herring, salmon, sturgeon or cold-smoked eel are so hard that you can only handle them with a snack knife.
For boiled, stewed, fried fish you need a special knife and fork. Instead of a knife, you can use a second fork or a slice of bread.
The bones should be quietly removed from the mouth and placed on a fork, and then on the edge of the plate.
If the fish is served with lemon, then, holding it with a fork, remove the flesh with a knife and leave the peel on the edge of the plate.

G Hot and cold meat dishes (chops, entrecotes) are eaten using a knife and fork, and it is not customary to immediately cut them into small pieces.
Dishes made from minced meat (cutlets, steak, dumplings) are separated with a fork, holding with a knife.

IN Contrary to popular belief, neither game nor poultry should be eaten with your hands at the table - they are eaten with a knife and fork.
But in different countries and in different places there are different orders. If everyone around you eats this dish with their hands, you can do the same, but then after eating, you should rinse your fingers in a bowl of flavored water or wipe them with a damp cloth.

The rules of etiquette, like all laws, are amended from time to time. For example, until recently, potatoes could not be mashed with a fork or cut with a knife. Now this is completely acceptable. Just don’t puree the entire portion at once.

For a long time, etiquette has allowed cutting asparagus, although, according to the old rules, it had to be brought to the mouth with your hand, holding it with a fork.

U For eggs served in special stands, it was previously not recommended to cut off the tops with a knife. Today this is accepted. Just don’t cut it off too sharply - neighbors on the table are unlikely to be formed by pieces flying towards them.
You can also do this: tap the egg with a spoon, remove part of the shell, and then cut off the top.
Eat using a special spoon with a wide end.

TO How do they eat artichokes?
The table is set with dessert spoons, forks, knives, and be sure to place some kind of container into which you can throw away waste during meals without clogging the plate with it. Don't forget about napkins, as many people eat most of their artichokes with their hands.
The stump remaining from the stem is not only edible, but also surprisingly juicy and tasty. Only the harsh outer layer is cut off from it.
While eating, the artichokes are slowly “undressed”, one by one removing all the scales. They have a very tasty thickened bottom tip and a thin layer of pulp on the inner (concave) side. The scales are dipped into the sauce each time before they are put into the mouth to suck out the tender flesh. It is convenient (but not “French”) to use a spoon, scraping off the pulp with it.
After the scales are finished, they move on to the most delicious part. With an elegant movement, roll it up into a bag and remove the bud-shaped cover and use a napkin to remove the “eyelashes” underneath it. This waste that is not eaten is placed on a separate plate.
Finally, the smooth surface of the bottom of the fleshy receptacle is exposed. This is the main highlight of the delicacy, the most delicious part of the artichoke, vaguely reminiscent of the pulp of an avocado. It is cut with a knife and eaten with special relish. It is this bottom that is most often found on sale, packaged in cans.
Dry rose wine goes very well with artichokes, although many people (but not the French) have the opinion that it is better to drink them with cool water.

D For fondue, meat (cheese, poultry) is cut into small pieces on a special dish, and then placed one at a time on special forks and fried in a container with boiling oil. Place the fondue on plates with compartments for sauces and eat with a fork and knife.

L Frog legs, which taste like chicken, are taken by the bone with your fingers, onto which, before serving, it is advisable to put a paper curler to protect your fingers from contamination, and eaten without any utensils.

TO Slaves, lobsters, shrimp, lobsters and crayfish are eaten with special utensils, and in a less formal setting they can be eaten with their hands. If you were served crab in its shell, you need to cut it using a special hatchet or tongs. After this, wipe your fingers with a wet napkin or rinse in a bowl and only then pick up a fork.

X A large lobster can be eaten like a chop, using a knife and fork.

Sh The necks of crayfish can be torn off with your hands, but it’s better to use special knife, cutting the shell from below. Don't be surprised if a restaurant offers you a "bib." It will protect your outfit from juice splashes.

IN Do you want to treat your guests to oysters? Then have a short, dull knife to open the shells and a fork to separate the meat. But most often oysters are served already shucked. True connoisseurs of this delicacy season it lemon juice, salt, pepper and eat, washed down with sea water from the shell.

M The ideas are served hot in shells. Use tongs or your hand to hold the mussel on the plate, and remove the clam with a special fork. The waste is left on the edge of the plate.

AND The cru is scooped up with a spatula and placed on your plate. Then spread on bread or toast. Sandwiches are eaten without cutlery, but pancakes with caviar are eaten with a knife and fork. Whether to eat caviar with chopped onion, egg or lemon juice - decide for yourself. But gourmets believe that such “seasonings” interrupt the true taste of the delicacy.

ABOUT days, dessert dishes (ice cream, soft cakes, mousses) are eaten with a teaspoon, others (hard cakes) - with a dessert fork.

A The nana is divided into four parts, then cut into slices along with the peel and served. Eat with a knife and fork.

T They do the same with melons. If this fruit is served with filling, it is scooped out with a spoon. Avocados are eaten in the same way, the cavity of which is filled, for example, with salad, crab meat or sauce.

N Unpeeled strawberries are held by the sepals and eaten after dipping them in cream or powdered sugar. Berries, freed from greens, are taken with a teaspoon.

IN Cherries and currants are served with petioles. They pinch off a twig from a bunch of grapes, put it on their plate and eat one berry at a time, taking them with a spoon.

TO It is customary to cut iwi in half and scoop out the pulp with a spoon. In restaurants they are served peeled and cut into wedges.

TO Arambol is not cleaned, but only cut.

A Bricots, peaches, large plums are cut in half and the pits are removed using a knife.

M Scarlet plums are put into the mouth with a spoon or by hand, and the seeds are placed on a spoon.

TO The banana peel is trimmed on both sides (large fruits are also cut crosswise), and then removed, but not completely. Eat by holding the unpeeled end.

WITH Oranges are peeled with a knife, and tangerines are peeled by hand, then these fruits are divided into slices.

I Blocks and pears do not need to be cleaned.

G Rapfruit is served cut into two halves and eaten with a teaspoon.

D Lemon slices are placed on a plate with a special two-pronged lemon fork and eaten with a knife and fork.

Examples of table setting and decoration for different occasions

You can add other serving styles based on your rich imagination.

Arrangement of tables at a banquet

How to arrange tables and seat guests at them directly depends on the number of guests and the size of the area.
The importance of these points cannot be underestimated, because... even if all other parts of the event are thought out and executed to perfection, an inconvenient, and even more so, incorrect arrangement of guests can lead to unpleasant consequences.
Check out several diagrams of options for the classic arrangement of tables and seating guests at them.

Christmas tree 1

This arrangement of tables is possible in limited space.
It allows staff to move freely, seat a large number of guests and gives festive look hall In this case, it is necessary to carefully consider the arrangement so that it is convenient for both all guests and staff. The main thing is that the chosen arrangement is convenient both for the guests and for their service.

Generally accepted rules
behavior in a restaurant

There are many different places to eat - restaurants, cafes, bars, for every taste and income, so if you decide to go to a restaurant with someone, it is better to make your choice in advance.
The choice of restaurant should be coordinated with the people you invite - you need to take into account the tastes of your companions and their eating habits.
You can find yourself in a very uncomfortable situation by inviting a person who does not like seafood to a fish restaurant. It is better to ask in advance what kind of cuisine your companions prefer.
It’s good if you yourself have already been to the place where you invite your friends. In this case, you have your own idea about the cuisine and assortment of a given place (as well as prices) and can recommend a dish without relying only on the opinion of the waiter.

When planning a visit to a restaurant, it is important to take into account not only the cuisine, but also the general atmosphere, for example, if your companion is no longer young, he may not like loud music and noise, it is better to go with him to a restaurant with a calmer atmosphere.
You should always keep in mind the impression you want to make on your guests as a result of visiting a restaurant, so it is best to first consider whether the restaurant you invite them to will contribute to this.

It is also important where the restaurant is located. There are some very good country restaurants, but before you settle on one, think about how you and your travel companions will get there and how you will get back.
The inviter can, of course, offer to use his personal transport, but in this case he should under no circumstances order alcohol, because you cannot take guests home yourself while drunk.
It is better to use a taxi.

Many restaurants require a reservation in advance, especially if it is a well-known establishment and you plan to visit it on the weekend.
You can find yourself in an unpleasant situation if you invite a guest to a restaurant, and upon arrival you find out that there are no empty seats.
You also need to agree on parking if you and your guests are going to come by car. Many restaurants have their own parking lot.

The one who invites should come a little earlier and wait for the invitee at the table, if the table has been booked in advance, or find a free table.
If you arrive at the appointed time and the person who invited you is not there yet, you can go to the table and order, for example, mineral water or juice.
The person who invited you and arrived late must apologize and explain the reason for his delay. You shouldn't ruin the evening because of this.
If a table in a restaurant is reserved for several people, those who arrived on time wait for the others for about 15 minutes, after which they go to the table.
Those who arrived late can, after apologizing, without attracting much attention to themselves, join the others.

Some girls and women prefer to arrange a meeting on the street in front of a restaurant, not wanting to enter the hall alone. In this case, it is even more impossible for the inviter to be late.
You can also meet on the street if the restaurant is difficult to find or if it is a closed club establishment into which your guest may not be allowed alone.

A woman enters the restaurant first, but on the way to the table a man beats her to the table and helps her sit down.
Before entering the restaurant hall, you should leave your outerwear in the wardrobe. It is customary to help a woman take off her coat or raincoat, and if the meeting is official, only her companion should do this, and in a more relaxed environment, the cloakroom attendant can also help.
After the man has helped the woman undress, he himself takes off his outer clothing.
When leaving the restaurant, the man first helps the woman get dressed, and then takes his things from the cloakroom attendant.

When entering the lobby, a man must take off his headdress, and when leaving, he puts it on at the door.
Shopping bags, umbrellas, and packages are usually left in the wardrobe; ladies take their purses with them.
Before entering the hall, you can fix your hair in the mirror in the wardrobe, but you can’t comb your hair, touch up your hair, or straighten your clothes here, all this is done in the toilet room.
A cafe or bar may not have a wardrobe, then outerwear is left on hangers located at the entrance to the hall.

Approaching the table, the man helps the woman sit down, pushing the chair away and pushing it forward, and only then sits down himself.
It is important to know what is most convenient place at a table located near the wall, the place facing the hall is considered, but if the table is located in the center of the hall, then the most honorable place is facing the entrance.
A man usually sits to the left of a woman, and if the table is not large, then opposite her.

In restaurants, it is not customary to sit at a table where someone is already sitting (unless the person sitting is familiar to you or he himself invited you to do this).
If there are no empty seats in the hall, you need to seek help from the administrator, who will help you get settled without disturbing other visitors.
To avoid this situation, it is better, as already mentioned, to book a table in advance.
In a cafe and, especially, in a bistro, it is quite acceptable to sit on empty seats, but you must first obtain the consent of those sitting at the table.
If they are waiting for someone or for some reason do not want strangers at their table, there is no need to insist on permission.

In restaurants and cafes, it is not customary to talk loudly, laugh, or put your elbows on the table, but nevertheless, you should behave at ease. The meal begins only when all guests have received the ordered dishes.
But if there are long intervals between the serving of various dishes and the brought dishes cool down, then those who have not yet received their order can invite others to start eating.
At the table, you cannot comb your hair, wipe your face with a napkin, check whether the plates and cutlery are clean, much less wipe them with napkins, blow on food or smell it, cool the soup, or vigorously stir it in the plate.
Lipstick can only be used after dinner (not at the table).

The person inviting you to a restaurant (cafe) or the one who plays the role of host must make sure that everyone sitting at the table knows each other or has previously met each other.
If people who do not know each other have been invited, it is best to introduce them before everyone sits down at the table.
For introductions, traditional rules of etiquette are used: younger ones are introduced to older ones, men to ladies. If there is a guest of honor at the table, then all the guests are first introduced to him.

At large receptions, at the entrance to the hall, it is necessary to place a seating chart with the location of the tables and indicating the names of the guests, and on the tables in front of each person sitting, place a card indicating the name.
If you are late and need to join those already sitting at the table, you must first approach the person who invited you and apologize for being late.
If you are unfamiliar with your neighbors at the table and the person who invited you cannot introduce you, then, having taken your seat, you should independently introduce yourself to the neighbors you do not know (first, to the lady sitting on the right).
In a more casual group, sitting at a small table, you can introduce yourself to everyone at the same time. At the same time, it is important to ensure that you do not interrupt someone’s speech or toast.
However, if you are simply sharing a table with someone, or have been seated by the head waiter, you should not introduce yourself to your neighbors. Just nod and wish them bon appetit.
When leaving a table where other people remain, wish them bon appetit and say goodbye. This, of course, does not apply to large receptions from which for some reason you need to leave early - in this case, it is enough to apologize and say goodbye only to your neighbors at the table.

Typically, a waiter in a restaurant offers a menu to everyone present, but if there is only one menu card per table, it is offered to the woman first.
If a business lunch for men is being held at a restaurant, the invitee orders first. The initiator of the invitation can order the same dish for everyone, warning in advance that he is inviting, for example, “lamb on a rib.”
If you do not know what is hidden behind a particular name on the menu, it is quite appropriate to ask the waiter a question. You can also ask him to recommend a particular dish or wine.

When invited to a restaurant, avoid two extremes: order a large number of the most expensive dishes and show excessive modesty, limiting your choice to the bare minimum.
In the first case, you can seriously “frame” the inviter, since you do not know in advance how much he can afford, and in the second, you can offend him, since the inviter may decide that you consider him too poor.
In fact, it should be known in advance who pays for the reception and how - everyone for himself, the head of the family for his family, or the inviter pays for everyone.
In modern society, a woman can pay for herself if she was not invited to a restaurant, but met an acquaintance already on the spot.
Discussions about who pays should not take place in front of the waiter.
If a woman pays herself, she simply reminds the waiter what dishes she ordered and receives a separate bill; the man in this situation receives his own bill.
The man can bear the cost of the wine.
When paying, you need to look at the bill (you can check it if you wish) and put the required amount on the plate on which it was served.
Tips can be 10-15% of the bill.

The person who invited you is the first to suggest leaving the restaurant.

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