Different ways of serving the table. The main types of table setting

And the art of table setting has thousand years of history. Each era had its own feast culture. In addition, at different peoples there were their own ways of decorating the table and serving dishes, corresponding to national culture and traditions. And today there are a lot of types of serving, so let's try to understand only the basic rules for table setting according to etiquette and its design.

The main elements of the table setting are: tablecloth, crockery, cutlery, napkins and various decor. In order for all these items to be placed correctly on the table, you need to follow some rules, as well as a certain sequence in actions.

On the eve of the feast, decide on the number and type of dishes, napkins, cutlery, etc. - this will depend on the number and type of dishes, the number of guests, the reason for the feast.

We serve the table according to etiquette

Tablecloth

E e is chosen depending on the type of feast, the color scheme of the dishes, the interior of the room - it should be in harmony with the curtains and furniture upholstery. Usually light shades are preferred. The white tablecloth looks especially elegant.

However, tablecloths can also be colored - plain or with a pattern along the edge. But keep in mind that too colorful and bright tablecloths will tire your eyes and distract from the dishes on the table. If you are using a dark tablecloth, match it with light-colored dishes.

According to the rules of etiquette, the tablecloth should be sized to cover the legs of the table (rectangular or square), and its ends should evenly hang 25–30 cm from all sides, but at the same time not fall below the level of the seats.

Spread the tablecloth on the table as follows: open it, then take it from one side by the ends, lift it up, shake it and lower it sharply down. At the same time, a layer of air is formed between the table and the canvas - it facilitates the further alignment of the tablecloth. Never stretch the canvas and do not pull it by the corners!

If the table is polished, place an oilcloth under the tablecloth.
Give preference to fabric tablecloths, especially from natural materials- they will create a truly homely or festive atmosphere.
Whatever tablecloth you choose, remember the main rule - it must be perfectly clean and ironed.

Cutlery and crockery

After the tablecloth is covered, they begin to lay out the plates and cutlery.

Plates

Consider the etiquette of arranging plates:

Snack plate - should be located opposite each chair and at a distance of about 2 cm from the edge of the table.
Bread or pie plate - it is placed to the left of the snack plate at a distance of 5–15 cm.
If several dishes are provided, you need to put a dining room under the snack plate.

During the feast, when changing dishes, the plates are replaced in a timely manner.

Cutlery

Place the spoon and knife on the right, and the fork on the left. The dessert spoon is located behind the plate - the handle to the right.

According to the rules of etiquette, they first begin to use the cutlery from the outer edge, replacing them with cutlery towards the plate as the dishes change.

Try to keep the distance between the appliances and the plate, as well as between adjacent appliances - it should be 0.5–1.0 cm.

Drinkware

Glasses, glasses, wine glasses are designed for only one type of drink. The wine glass is on the right, and the water glass is on the left. Usually they are placed in one line, but not more than three items. In the case of a full serving, the drinkware is placed in two rows.

Tips:

Before serving, be sure to thoroughly wash and wipe all cutlery - they should not have smudges and streaks. Buff them to a high shine with rough cotton towels or multi-layered paper towels.

Napkins

They play an important role in table setting. There are a lot of options for folding napkins - this is a real art, which you can talk about a lot. Let's just focus on the basic rules.

The material of napkins is chosen depending on the type of feast.
Cloth napkins (made of cotton or linen) are more suitable for a festive table, sometimes they can be replaced with paper ones - in this case they are placed under the right edge of the plate.
The color of napkins can be any - to match the tablecloth, candles or flower arrangements on the table, although contrasting colors are also allowed.

Appliances with spices

They are placed at the final stage of serving. Usually these devices are installed on special stands in the central part of the table. There must be salt and pepper on the table, as well as, in accordance with the menu, mustard, vinegar, vegetable oil and other seasonings.

Decor elements

Choice decorative ornaments depends, first of all, on the occasion of the feast: business meeting, wedding, anniversary or birthday, new year holidays and so on. And also from the style in which the apartment is made. For example, red napkins with turquoise color(about it beautiful shade can be read.)

For a dinner party, it is better to stick to a neutral style in the design, and if close people or friends come to visit you, the design style can be more free.

Figurines of the bride and groom, doves, as well as objects in the form of wedding rings or hearts.

Create for a birthday bright accents with the help of decor, and if the name day is for children, use images of characters from your favorite cartoons.

On the New Year's table compositions from coniferous branches will look beautiful, Christmas decorations, tinsel, candles, etc., as well as figurines and New Year's souvenirs.

The decoration of any table, regardless of the type of feast, will be flowers - bouquets or compositions of fresh flowers, as well as floristic arrangements of dried flowers. However, when using them as decoration, pay attention to some points:

make sure none of the invitees are allergic to flowers;
do not choose plants with a strong aroma, it will mix with the smell of dishes or interrupt it;
place a vase of flowers at some distance from cutlery and dishes so that pollen or petals do not accidentally fall into the guests' plate.

Tips:

All decor elements should be combined not only with each other, but also with the overall interior.

Don't choose too high decorative elements- they should not prevent guests from seeing each other and communicating freely.

Do not use too much decor - remember that everything needs a measure.

The festive table should not only abound with delicious dishes and delicacies. Try to arrange it in an original and correct way, because a beautifully set table is an indicator of your hospitality and good taste.

Table setting is a sign of good manners and hospitality of the hostess, so it is very important that the set table abounds not only with delicious and steaming dishes, but also with beautiful elements, correctly laid out knives and forks.

This fascinating, and certainly creative activity will be discussed in this article. Here you will find recommendations for the correct layout of cutlery, as well as a photo of serving in different styles and flowers.

Since ancient times, eating was not just an everyday activity. Gathering with a company at a large table, a seemingly simple dinner became something of a holiday.

At the table, they did not just eat food prepared in advance, people talked, shared news and their thoughts. As a result, such a concept as table setting was born.

The correct and beautiful arrangement of cutlery and dishes gave the festive table a special look, and with the advent of the first rules of table etiquette, proper table setting has become an integral part of any feast.

Moreover, in normal home conditions, it's not even about etiquette. In fact, it’s just nice when order and a special atmosphere reign on the table.

But let's get down to the basic rules that will help you decorate festive table.

What you need to know about table setting

First of all, make sure that all utensils and cutlery are clean. To do this, first, without exception, all devices should be wiped with warm and wet towel and then buff dry. Make sure there are no water stains on cutlery and crockery.

The tablecloth must be carefully ironed. Its edges should hang from the table by 25-30 centimeters, so that the corners hide the table legs a little. Many housewives, in fear for the tablecloth, cover it with oilcloth on top, however, according to the rules of table setting and etiquette, this is unacceptable if you receive guests.

The number of cutlery on the table at each plate in different situations may be different. It all depends on the dishes that will be served during the meal.

Well, the last "golden" rule - the location and type of devices for each guest should be completely the same.

Proper table setting

Take a look at the following image:

The photo shows a classic table setting according to European etiquette. In the picture, as an example, all types of cutlery are laid out. Of course, you most likely won’t need the whole “set”, so looking at this picture, you can place the appliances in the same way, but leaving only the necessary on the table (depending on the dishes).

For example, for an ordinary classic Russian dinner, it is enough to leave a pie plate for bread and butter, a spoon for the first course, a fork for the main course, a table knife, a decorative and soup plate, a glass of water. In each case, something may change, for example, if there is a dessert on the dinner menu, it is worth adding the appropriate appliances to the table.

Types of napkins and their location

Napkins are one of the most important accessories on the festive table. There are two main types of napkins - fabric and paper. Cloth napkins (large in size) are usually designed to be placed on the guest's lap (to prevent food from getting on clothes).

Paper napkins are usually used directly for eating, and they should be located in the center of the table, so that they are accessible to everyone. If the table is large, place the napkins in several places so that everyone at the table has direct access to them.

By the way, napkins can be placed on the table both in an ordinary napkin holder, and making original figures from them. Below in the figure, you can see the four most conventional options napkin figurines. As you can see in the photo, a beautiful table setting largely depends on appearance napkins and their colors.

By the way, if the feast does not involve a first course, then a beautifully folded napkin should be placed on the plate of each guest, but remember that in this case all napkins should be the same, and in the center of the table there must be a supply of them at the rate of 2-3 napkins per guest .

Table setting - photo with examples

Above in the photo, you saw classic version table setting, however, it is absolutely not necessary to strictly follow these rules if more than interesting ideas. You can decorate the table perfectly different ways, the main thing is that the main appliances are located in the right places, and the rest is at the discretion of the hostess.

Separately, we celebrate such a holiday as New Year. Everyone's favorite feasts can be not only tasty, but also beautiful.

The ancient art of decorating a solemn feast, arranging dishes for a dinner party or a family celebration, the ability to cover it beautifully, serve it festively is called table setting. It is based on a set of well-established rules, customs, including the order of laying out cutlery and serving dishes, recommendations for choosing jewelry, stylish elements decor for a sophisticated look. How to decorate a table for guests or husband?

What is table setting

Correct placement plates, salad bowls and dishes, as well as the layout of cutlery, napkins and other small things necessary during the meal - all this is serving. It also includes the choice of tablecloths, napkins and other decorative elements. Serving is of three types: preliminary, banquet and "Bistro". How they differ and what are the features of the procedure - all this is interesting to know not only for the regulars of restaurants, but also for ordinary housewives, because then their celebrations will be decorated in an interesting way.

Serving types

The first variety is the simplest. A served table with it involves a partial arrangement of dishes and cutlery for serving dishes that are first on the menu. At the same time, in the process of changing dishes, the entire set of dishes is replaced. Pre-serving includes:

table-knife;
fork;
a teaspoon;
pie plate;
objects placed in the center (flowers, candlestick, porcelain figurines);
glass for red wine;
wine glass;
salt shaker, pepper shaker;
a napkin made of fabric without a pattern.

Banquet serving is a one-time arrangement of plates, cutlery and decorative elements. Devices that are used in this type of serving:

snack utensils (knife, fork);
soup spoon;
pepper box;
bread plate;
fish utensils;
a plate for pies or other pastries;
dessert spoon;
soup plate;
butter knife;
saucer (oval or round);
glassware;
cloth or silk napkins (rectangular or square).

"Bistro" is a simple arrangement for informal, non-formal occasions, a modern everyday option for lunch or breakfast. It is used in restaurants, hotels, hostels, self-service canteens and barbecues, establishments where they serve their own staff. Devices, their location depend on the specific menu, style of the institution, average cost dishes. It is necessary to cover the countertop with fabric white tablecloths, to serve paper napkins.

Table setting rules

Table decoration, especially festive, both in restaurants and cafes, and at home, should be carried out in accordance with generally accepted standards. Proper serving festive table sets the tone for the holiday. If you make a mistake when choosing dishes, you can ruin a gala dinner on the occasion of an event or an important business lunch. According to etiquette, certain napkins, glasses should be used - the choice depends on the type of meal (festive, for receiving guests, a romantic date).

Tablecloth

The general tone of the event can be set by the tablecloth. For a solemn meal, it should be snow-white, for simpler meals, a cream color or color is allowed. Ivory. Regardless of the event, matter must be immaculately clean and ironed. Delicate decorative elements are allowed: lace, silk ribbons, perforation. Traditionally, the edges should hang from the edge of the countertop by 25-30 cm. In French and Italian restaurants, touching the edges of the floor is allowed. The material of the tablecloth should be natural: silk or cotton.

Types of plates

There are approximately 35 types of serving plates, but only about 5-6 are used universally. The rules of etiquette stipulate that the plates must be from the same set or at least made in the same style. The number and type of plates served depends on what dishes will be served and how many people are participating in the gala dinner. The main dishes used in restaurants are:

soup;
a plate or bowl for mustard;
herring;
large and small flat plates;
meat dishes;
dessert shallow and deep;
pie.

Cutlery for table setting

To the right of the plate is a soup spoon, immediately behind it on the outer edge is a fork and a knife for a snack (meat), the last one is a tea or coffee spoon. Cutlery for the main course is placed immediately next to the plate, and the dessert spoon is located behind the plate. small knife for butter located on a pie plate. The cutlery must be polished with boiling water or special means to shine. In some restaurants, a special napkin is placed under the cutlery.

Glasses

Classics are two glasses: for wine and champagne. Other varieties for alcoholic beverages are agreed in advance, if necessary, add dishes for strong alcohol (glasses, glasses for whiskey, liquor). Glasses are arranged in this order: for red wine, for white wine, for champagne, and then dishes for spirits in the order of its serving. In addition, a separate glass (glass) is provided for drinking water or juice, it is placed on the left.

Napkins

If a problem occurs budget decoration table, serving napkins will help solve it. Napkins are one of the most important accessories on a festive dining table. There are two main types for serving - fabric and paper:

Cloth napkins are larger, square, made of linen fabric. Designed for kneeling or for decoration.
Paper napkins are used directly during meals, and they should be in the center of the countertop - so that it is convenient to use them. In addition, they should be available to every person sitting at the table. Napkins are placed in a napkin holder or in the form of figures as a decoration. Paper napkins at official receptions and celebrations should be plain, without a pattern.

You can beautifully arrange dishes for lunch or dinner at home. To do this, you need to buy a tablecloth, a set of cutlery and crockery. For a home-style serving option, it is not necessary to have everything, you should proceed only from your own needs and food preferences. To set the table for one person you need:

tablecloth, napkins (paper or fabric);
deep and flat plates;
table, tea, dessert spoon and fork;
table-knife;
a tea pair (jam outlet), a glass of wine;
water glass.

For dinner

Procedure:

The tablecloth must be spread on the table, put a flat plate, on top of it is deep.
To the right and left you need to put the cutlery for the main course, followed by snack bars.
Put a tea or coffee spoon in front of the plate.
A tea pair or a glass of wine is placed on the top right.
If desired, you can decorate the table with fabric napkins, flowers in vases or candles.

dining table

Recommendations on how to properly set the table for lunch for one person do not differ from those for serving for dinner. With the exception that for dinner the table is not decorated with anything other than napkins or flowers. In addition, instead of a white tablecloth for dinner, you can use special plastic or silicone substrates - they are more practical, they are easily washed from food and spilled drinks.

For guests

During lunch, serving for guests takes place in a similar way, only the number of cutlery and plates on the table changes. Decorations are almost never used, the tablecloth can be replaced decorative coasters for hot meals. If dinner is provided for guests, then light snacks and alcohol (wine, liquor) should be served, the coasters should be replaced with a white tablecloth.

For the holiday

Making your own dinner for the holiday is a laborious task, because. many dishes are served at the celebrations, a large number of people are present. For the holiday, the table is decorated with vases with flowers, fruits. At home, you can not follow the rules regarding the arrangement of plates and cutlery, but only use a tablecloth, napkins and make sure that each guest feels comfortable.

Beautiful table setting

Vases with flowers, satin or silk ribbons, porcelain figurines of angels, napkin rings are used as decoration. The creation of a festive atmosphere is facilitated by: balloons, serpentine, elegant tablecloths. Decorations for serving are selected in accordance with the holiday - a wedding, anniversary or a romantic dinner. The main decorative elements are a tablecloth and fabric napkins.

classical

Traditionally, for an ordinary lunch or dinner, the countertop is decorated with flowers or napkin rings. In classical serving, the main condition is impeccable cleanliness tablecloths, napkins and cutlery, dishes for spices. To beautifully set the table, but at the same time avoid excessive solemnity, you can pick up bright napkins rich colors- such a move will help brighten up a boring meal.

Banquet

Decorating a table for a mass banquet is not an easy task. In this case, they try to make all the decorative elements in the same style or color. They are selected according to the type of banquet: anniversary, corporate or other event. More often use bright napkins, fresh or artificial flowers. First of all, the wishes of people ordering a gala dinner are taken into account.

Wedding

When serving a wedding dinner, the emphasis is on places for the newlyweds, which are decorated with symbols of love (hearts, roses, posters with wishes, swans figurines). Places for the newlyweds are marked with separate glasses (decorated or tied with ribbons). A wedding banquet is served with white dishes with a gold or silver border. The tablecloth spreads only snow-white, symbolizing the purity of the feelings of the newlyweds.

Table setting for two

To create a romantic atmosphere, when serving dinner for two, it is customary to use candles, a basket in which fruit, alcohol (wine or champagne) are beautifully folded. The tablecloth is chosen scarlet or white. The dishes are placed opposite each other, but in such a way that the person sitting opposite can be reached without effort by hand. For two, they do not cover a lot of dishes and cutlery, the emphasis here is on romance.

The main problem when decorating a meal on a round tabletop is a small space, so the meal is served only with the necessary cutlery, deep and flat plates, a knife, a fork for the main course, a glass of wine. The rest is served as needed. In the center they put a vase with a bouquet of flowers, a dessert or a bottle of wine, decorated with a red or black napkin.

For a birthday

Table decoration for a birthday implies an emphasis on the solemnity of the event. Serving dishes, competent selection of decorations, including decorating desserts, will help with this. How beautiful to set the table? It all depends on the personality of the birthday person:

Children's table for a birthday, you can arrange using various toys, cardboard or paper cartoon characters.
For a young girl or a woman of age, natural flowers, original desserts, vases with exotic fruits, napkins, sockets, stylish dishes made of colored glass.
It is customary for men to decorate a festive lunch or dinner laconically, with the help of beautiful contrasting napkins and tablecloths, while the appliances are classic, the dishes are white.

Serving a festive sweet table

For an event with large quantity sweet or a holiday that provides only for the presence of desserts, it is not customary to use decorative elements. Multi-tiered plates, pyramids, special coasters for cake pops or muffins are used. It is better if everything is matched in the same color scheme. If you use additional festive decoration, then the design will turn out to be pockmarked, overly pretentious and tasteless.

Table setting ideas

To surprise family and guests at celebrations or during normal meals, the following options servings:

Spring. The tabletop is covered with a tablecloth, fresh flowers and herbs are used as decorations. A linen napkin is placed on a plate, and a flower is placed on top. If desired, you can use a green tablecloth and decorations in the form of insects ( may beetles, ladybugs). Fresh lettuce leaves are served at the beginning of the meal.
Decoration for tea. Tea pairs are placed on a tablecloth of any color, decorated with bright napkins. You can use spectacular scissors for cookies and small desserts (marshmallows, sweets, muffins). In the center of the composition there is a large teapot, around it are rosettes with jam and honey.
Breakfast at the cottage. The tablecloth is either not used at all, or linen in a natural gray color. Ceramic dishes, enameled bowls with flowers in water are used as decorations.
Hen-party. The tablecloth is used in fresh, bright colors (pink, coral, blue). Dishes are placed in a minimal amount (glasses, wine glasses, champagne or martini glasses), the main area is occupied by desserts, snacks, drinks. You can decorate the surface with flowers, decorative beads.
Children's holiday. They use oilcloth napkins of bright colors, plain or with the image of cartoon characters or animals, the entire surface of the countertop is occupied by sweets: sweets, cakes, fruits, cakes.

Video

Setting the table properly is an art. And every self-respecting hostess must know at least the basic rules of serving. Despite the fact that most holidays are now celebrated in restaurants, we still love to welcome guests at home, organizing feasts or at least small tea parties. Table setting at home can be absolutely simple and concise, but basic principles absolutely must be observed. Therefore, we will tell you how to set the table for different events. To make your family breakfasts, business lunches and romantic dinners look beautiful.

Table setting types

You can set the table in different ways. Depending on the nature of the meal and the time of day, there are different kinds table setting. It can be banquet and buffet, coffee and tea, full evening and lunch serving. The table is also set in a special way during lunch. Table setting for breakfast looks much simpler than table setting for dinner, in which there is a huge amount of different devices. Usually in the morning it is enough to put on the table:

snack plate (exactly centered in front of the chair),
pie plate (on the left behind the diner),
knife (to the right of the snack plate with the blade towards it),
teaspoon (near the knife),
fork (to the left of the snack plate with the horns up),
saucer, cup and coffee spoon (behind the snack plate),
glass for water (behind a knife),
spices, a vase with flowers and napkins.

Table setting for dinner can be quick or complete. If a hasty short lunch is expected, then a substitute plate is simply added to the morning arrangement of dishes, and cutlery is placed (a dinner fork on the left, and a table knife and spoon on the right). If the dinner is long, then put on the table:

stand plate,
dining or snack plates (on top of the substitution plate),
pie plate,
diner and dining forks,
snack and table knives,
a spoon,
glass for water, glasses (optional),
spices and napkins
during the meal, depending on the dishes, the serving is supplemented with other devices.

The table setting for tea takes place in a very special way. On the table are placed:

saucers and cups with the handle turned to the right,
teapot,
kettle with boiling water,
milk jug on a pie plate,
sugar bowl with tongs,
vases with jam or honey,
rosette with lemon slices and a two-pronged fork,
teaspoons.

Table setting technology

There is nothing difficult in setting the table correctly. Table setting with your own hands can be very beautiful. The main thing is to take into account the menu that you offer to your guests, correctly placing all the necessary appliances on the table. It is also important to consider color scheme table, so that the tablecloth, plates and decor elements are combined with each other and with the interior of the room. If you set the table for a certain holiday, it can display the theme of the evening. Romantic table setting can be complemented by candles and flower arrangements. If you decide to please your guests with dishes of a certain cuisine, the table can be laid in accordance with national characteristics country of your choice.

Table setting technology involves a clear sequence of actions. First, we cover the table with a tablecloth. It should descend from the table by at least 25 cm, but not lower than the seats of the chairs. Then we arrange faience and porcelain plates and serve the cutlery. Near the plates we put glass and crystal - wine glasses, glasses and glasses. After that, napkins are laid out on plates, devices for spices, vases with flowers and other decorations are placed.

The complete table setting scheme that is used for dinner is quite simple. So, we put everything in order:

Large substitution (or serving) plate, which may be different from the rest unusual decoration. It is placed in the middle at a distance of 2 cm from the edge of the table and remains on the table until the end of the meal.
The pie plate, which is used to serve bread and other flour products, is placed on the left behind the substitution plate at a distance of 5 cm from it.
Table fork for second courses - placed to the left of the plate.
Fish fork - is placed to the left of the table fork, only if fish dishes are supposed to be served on the table.
Table knife for second courses - is placed to the right of the plate with the blade towards it.
Tablespoon - placed to the right of the knife, only if the first course is supposed to be served on the table.
Fish knife - placed to the right of the tablespoon, only if fish dishes are supposed to be served on the table.
Brandy glass (Snifter) - placed behind the fish knife.
A glass for white wine - is placed behind a glass for cognac, to the left of it.
Red wine glass - placed behind the white wine glass, to the left, so that all three glasses form a straight line.
A glass of champagne (Flute) - is placed behind a glass of white wine, during a meal it is farthest from a person.
A plate with a diameter of 27 cm for serving second courses - is brought when serving a dish.
A deep plate or broth pair is brought when serving the first course.
If during the meal any special dishes are served that require additional utensils, they are brought along with these dishes.

We really hope that our advice will help you fill your family breakfasts and dinners with beauty and love. Be sure to remember the basic rules for table setting and delight your loved ones not only with delicious dishes, but also with their competent serving.

Table setting for all existing rules- this is always a sign of attention from the owner of the house to his guests. Unfortunately, a properly laid table is not so often seen today, especially at home. However, table setting is a true art, once mastered, you bring beauty into your life. That is why it is so important to know the rules of table setting - in order to be able to create a festive atmosphere in your home every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and in holidays Surprise your guests with fantasy decorations, intricately folded napkins and sumptuous crockery.

Table setting sequence

The table should be served according to the following plan: tablecloth; plates; cutlery; glasses, wine glasses, glasses; napkins; table decoration. To begin with, table setting may seem like a really complicated science to someone, but after some time, when table setting according to the rules becomes a habit, it will seem to you that this task is easier than ever!

Table setting begins with spreading tablecloths on the table. It would seem, what could be easier? Threw the tablecloth over the table - and it's ready. In fact, there are certain rules in this regard.

First, the tablecloth must be perfectly ironed and presentable. There is nothing good in setting the table with a crumpled tablecloth or oilcloth. The smoothed tablecloth, or rather its corners, should fall opposite the table legs, covering them evenly. There are also requirements for lowering the tablecloth from all sides - at least 25 cm and, in no case, not lower than the seat of the chair.

Such requirements were not introduced by chance, since too small a tablecloth descent on the table looks ugly, and too large - it causes inconvenience to guests. After you have covered the table with a tablecloth, it's time to start arranging the plates.

Types of plates

The purpose of most of the plates from the table above can be easily guessed by their name, however, there are also dishes that are not entirely obvious. The patty plate is used to serve croutons, patties or bread. The chill plate is used to serve various appetizer dishes such as oysters, salads or stews. The bowl plate, as you can easily guess from its shape, is used to serve several types of salads or side dishes at once. It is also used to serve fondue. Fried eggs are served in an egg plate, jam, jam or honey is placed in a socket, and a bowl is designed for serving fresh berries, jelly and fruit salads.

What kind of plates you put on the table on a festive or weekday evening depends on the number of dishes served. Serving for a two-course dinner involves one plate, for a four-course dinner - another.

Naturally, the plates on your table should be perfectly clean and dry. It is advisable to polish them to a shine before serving.

According to the rules, a snack plate (see the table above) is located in front of each chair. Do not put it on the very edge of the table, it does not look very presentable! The patty plate is placed to the left of the diner, as you can see in the photo above.

If you set a table with several dishes, in this case you place small canteens under the snack plates, etc.

Types of cutlery

1,2,3,4,6,31 - spoons: coffee, tea, dessert, table, for making coffee, for ice cream;
5, 7, 8, 9 - tongs: large confectionery, for asparagus, for ice, small confectionery;
10 - a device for trimming cigars;
11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 26 - forks: for lemon, lemon, cocotte, fish, dessert, dessert, snack bar, snack bar, dinner fork for second courses;
14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 25 - knives: for the second fish dishes, dessert, dessert, snack, snack, table knife for main courses;
24 - ladle;
27, 28, 29, 30 - blades: confectionery, for pate, for fish, caviar;

After arranging the plates, you should immediately lay out all the necessary cutlery. Knives are placed to the right of the plates, forks to the left. A tablespoon is placed near the knife. For a festive dinner of several dishes, the cutlery should be laid out as follows, starting to the right of the plate: a table knife, a fish knife and a snack knife. You put a butter knife on a patty plate. If it is supposed to serve first courses, a soup spoon is placed between the snack and fish knives. If fish is not provided on the festive table, a tablespoon is placed instead of a fish one. To the left of the plates are forks corresponding to the knives in the same order in which the knives are laid out: canteen, fish, diner.

Also, do not pile cutlery one on top of the other, the distance between forks and spoons should be about 1 cm.

Table setting: glasses, wine glasses, glasses

To the right, behind the plates, we put the glasses from largest to smallest. Depending on what drinks will be served on the table, glasses for water, white / red wine, champagne, a glass for juice, a glass for spirits and glasses are displayed in sequence. When placing glasses, hold them by the stem so as not to leave fingerprints on the glasses themselves.

Table setting: napkins

What is a festive table without napkins? Napkins are not only lovely decoration table, but also a very practical thing. Napkins are linen and paper. Cloth napkins are not intended for wiping hands or face, there are disposable paper napkins for this purpose. Fabric napkins, on the other hand, are usually beautifully decorated by good housewives so that guests can put them on their laps.

Table decor

Regardless of whether you have a festive dinner or a daily breakfast, a properly served table involves decorating it with flower arrangements, fruit vases, the same cloth napkins, dishes with colorful vegetables etc.