How to Use a Charger Table Setting

Chargers are a decorative element of the table setting.

The charger, also called the "service plate," is the dinnerware foundation of a formal place setting. It is placed on the table before the meal is served, and the flatware and glassware are oriented around it. It remains on the table through each course of the meal, until dessert is served. It is purely ornamental, as the plates holding each course are placed on top of it; no food is ever placed on the charger.

Instructions

1. Choose the charger for your table setting. This plate--also called a buffet plate, cover plate, lay plate, or place plate--will always be the largest plate on the table. Most chargers range in size from 11 to 14 inches in diameter, and should provide a surround of at least one inch to the dinner plate, the next largest plate to be used during a meal.

   Because their purpose is primarily decorative, although they also serve as additional protection against spillage for the table cloth, chargers should be chosen to complement the table linens and decorations, dinnerware, glassware, and flatware being used. Chargers often come in solid or metallic colors.

2. Place the charger on the table as the first step in the table setting. All the other dinnerware, flatware, and glassware will be oriented around the charger. Forks are placed to the left of the charger, in an "outside-in" arrangement, meaning that the fork used for the first course should be at the outermost edge of the table setting, with the last fork immediately beside the charger. Knives should be at the charger's immediate right, blades toward the charger, with the spoons beyond them, also arranged in an "outside-in" order. Glassware is placed at the top right of the table setting. The bread plate is placed to the top right of the charger.

3. Leave the charger on the table for the duration of the meal, placing each course's plate or bowl, one at a time, on top of the charger as the meal is served. The charger should stay on the table throughout the meal until the dessert course is served. When the final course prior to the dessert is served, the charger should be removed from the table along with the used plate of the previous course. The dessert is then served on a plate placed directly on the tablecloth.

References

• Emily Post Institute: Informal Table Settings
• Emily Post Institute: Formal Table Setting
• Etiquette Scholar: Dinnerware - Service Plate