On which side of the plate put a fork?

On which side of the plate put a fork?

Table setting is a fun business, but here a lot of devices can even stun an experienced hostess. Most questions are forks. As a rule, 4 items are used for standard serving. Each must be properly positioned depending on the menu.

It is better to know in advance how to place them in order not to get into an awkward position in front of eminent guests.

Basics of etiquette

Knowledge of the basics of etiquette is the foundation of good serving and correct behavior. Such rules dictate to us from which side to place the devices and how to use them. Consider the rules of application:

  • If on the table there are pancakes with filling, then eat them with a knife and fork.
  • For fish, special forks are provided - 4 teeth with a cut in the middle.
  • If the fish is served not in portions, but in whole, then a few other devices are provided. In this case, the plug is round and flat. It is used to put a piece on a plate.
  • If during the meal you decide to drink water, then place the fork and knife on the edge of the plate, handles to the table.
  • Put the fork to the left and the knife to the right. The device for guests has a hand that you need to hold a fork.
  • For tea, they often serve a special small fork with two cloves. It is intended for lemon.
  • Some dishes do not involve the use of a knife. In this case, it is permissible to hold the plug in your right hand.

For fruit there are separate forks. So, it is accepted to eat bananas with their help. Dessert forks are often used for cakes with lots of airy cream. In this case, the fork is considered an acceptable alternative to the spoon.

For a simple family meal, it is enough to put one table fork on the table, this is quite enough. With holidays and celebrations, everything is different. So, on your holiday table must be present such forks:

  • Big. Visually resembles a simple dining fork, but differs in large size. With its help, move the food from the tray to the plate.
  • Dining large. Used for meat dishes.
  • Small. With it, they eat snacks and desserts.
  • Fish and for seafood. The name of the plugs speaks for itself. Devices differ in small size.
  • For fruit. Such a device is served in the final part of the meal.

rules

Table setting consists of many consecutive steps. Truly the most difficult can be called the layout of devices. It is this design element that will show your guests how skillfully you have done everything. There are strict rules on how to properly decompose devices:

  • The layout of not only the instruments, but also the dishes itself always follows the order in which the dishes are served.
  • Point the knife edge towards the plate.
  • Dishes for water is located above the knife.
  • The forks are to the left of the serving plate.
  • The spoon is placed to the right of the knives.
  • Absolutely all the devices on your desk must be from one set.
  • For a simple homemade lunch, breakfast or dinner it is enough to use only cutlery.
  • For serving the festive table, you definitely need a wide range of forks, spoons and knives. Without it, can not do.

These simple rules must always be observed. It does not matter what serving you do, these tips will help you to always stay on top.

Layout before the meal

The most difficult and painstaking work is done long before the arrival of guests. More precisely, between the preparation of food and the arrival of guests need to lay the table.The procedure itself may differ slightly depending on the occasion, the number of guests and the menu. So, to the left of the serving plate you need to put the fork. In the basic serving, it looks like this:

  • Farthest from the plate you need to put the smallest fork. Guests will eat her cold snacks, a variety of salads and fish dishes. This device is used first.
  • The next fork is closer to the plate. She eats hot snacks and second courses. The size of this fork is larger than the previous one. A distance of 2 cm is maintained from the plate to this fork.

When you put dishes and appliances on the table, make sure that the devices do not hide under the plates. Guest should have easy access to each serving item.

In the upper part of the plate have only 2 devices. And sometimes you can forget about such devices, but you still need to know them. Devices over the serving plate:

  • For different sweets put dessert spoon.
  • Next spread dessert fork. This device is placed closer to the plate. Although this device is not mandatory, it is still present in the classic table setting.

It is important to mention the special devices for seafood. It is all about 2 subjects - the fork and the knife. The fork has 3-4 cloves, it is convenient to eat food. The knife looks like a spatula, they are separated fish from the bones.

Only spoons and knives are laid out on the right side of the serving plate. There are absolutely no plugs. It looks like this:

  • Closest to the guest's plate, place a knife for hot dishes. The tip is directed to the plate.
  • Next will be a knife for snacks. The edge is directed to the same.
  • Farthest from the guest plate, place a spoon for soup. This item is present on the table only when serving for dinner. Otherwise, this spoon is simply not needed.

The location of the devices at the end

In the home serving it is customary to clean the extra dishes after each dish. This rule applies to devices too. Throughout the meal, only the position of the water glass remains unchanged.

Despite this, if you decide to use formal serving techniques, go to the end. After eating, you can tell your housewife with a fork and knife. You can also send a request not to clean the dishes while you were away.

Several options for the location of devices, if you need to pause:

  • If there is a lot of food on the plate. Place the cutlery on the edge of the plate so that the handles rest on the table. The fork should be on the left and the knife on the right.
  • If it is left quite a bit. Put the devices in the form of the letter "L". Turn the knife edge to the left, into the fork - to the right. Handles should not rest on the table.
  • If you eat only with a fork (without a knife). Put it on the right, on the edge of the plate. The base rests on the table.

At the very end of the meal, other rules apply. Devices do not put on the table. The main reason is pretty commonplace. Leftovers from the dishes may fall or drain onto a tablecloth. The mistress of the house is unlikely to be happy with such a surprise. Several correct options:

  • Place the instruments parallel to each other on opposite edges of the plate. Pens should be sent to you.
  • Imagine that the plate is a large dial. Place the fork with the knife so that the handles point at 5 o'clock.

One more important point - if the bouillon was served with a stand, then leave the devices on it.

Tips for all occasions

The location of the devices - an important stage of serving. It is also important to beautifully arrange the table. It does not matter for what reason you decide to engage in such an interesting occupation as serving. Households and many guests will forgive you small mistakes or neglect of some rules if you can create a truly unique atmosphere.

The most safe option - a small gift for each guest. It can be absolutely any little thing that a person takes with him.Pack such a souvenir in a beautiful paper, which will be in harmony with the overall style of serving. Put the gift on the plate.

In the box you can put a small sweetness (curly candy or cookies with beautiful decor). Charms, souvenirs, statues and other trivia never lose their relevance. True, choose such a gift with a truly personal touch. Darling bear can cause mixed reactions in a handsome man.

Without extra costs, you can decorate the plates with a small bouquet of flowers with a satin ribbon. It may be a simple field composition. The main thing that the guest felt your care and attention.

Named cards near the plates are very popular. Properly think over the seating and arrange such guidelines. Cards can be made in the form of cards. Write the name on top, and inside - a pleasant wish or a compliment. This decision is relevant both in the family circle and at a formal event.

For decoration often use napkins. These are generally universal products that are both functional and decorative. Devices that will be used first, you can arrange it with napkins. Fold the tissue product in an envelope, insert a fork with a knife inside. Put on a special ring or tie a ribbon over it.

On the merits of napkins can talk forever. The simplest table will play with new tones thanks to colorful products. remember, that paper napkins can be used at home dinner or as a supplement on a festive table. If possible, give preference to fabric products.

How to effectively set the table: examples

Appearance is everything, and this is not a joke. Be at least a serving guru and etiquette master, but if your table looks ugly - all of the above does not make sense:

  • Golden cutlery looks elegant and unusual. True, do not forget to thoroughly rub them before laying out. An individual postcard for each guest will bring up the location before serving meals.
  • Feel free to play with colors. Yes, the classics always looks presentable, it is difficult to deny. But, you see, a bright table setting immediately tunes in a positive way. The combination of red and green is especially important during the winter holidays.
  • The use of dishes on the legs - a kind of focus. Thus, you focus on those or other dishes. The same effect is created by red napkins on a white tablecloth. Agree, such a feed causes appetite.
  • Such a cozy table setting home neglects some rules. Yet this is the perfect example of homely cozy tea. Dark tones do not create a feeling of darkness, even on the contrary, emphasize the atmosphere of a narrow circle of trust and dispose to pleasant conversations.
  • Example of table setting with soup. Many people think that you should not serve soups on holidays, but this is not quite so. Properly decorated dish literally works wonders. I want to quickly run to the table. So you can cover the family dinner.

To learn how to properly use cutlery, see the following video.

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