How to Place Silverware
Table settings are important, whether you're feeding two or 22 people. The silverware you use doesn't have to be fancy, but you should set your table as though you're proud of the meal you're about to serve. For informal meals, you can keep the setting simple, but for formal meals, you'll need to consider placing multiple forks, knives and spoons for use with each new course. Know what kind of meal you're serving ahead of time to prepare the table correctly.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Informal Table Setting
-
1
Set your plates and glasses. The plate should be about an inch from the edge of the table, and the drinking glasses should be set off to the upper right corner.
-
2
Place your silverware. Forks should be on the left of the plate. To the right, place your knife, blade-inward, closest to the plate. Place the spoon next to the knife. Utensils should be aligned at the bottom of their handles.
-
-
3
Place a folded napkin -- paper or cloth -- to the left of the fork.
Formal Table Setting.
-
4
Place the plate 1 inch from the edge of the table, with the cloth napkin on top of the plate.
-
5
Place the forks -- no more than three -- to the left of the plate. Place them in order of use --- salad, fish and meat --- with the main entree's fork closest to the plate. The only exception to this is the cocktail fork, which would go on the far right, outside the knives and spoons. Align the utensils by the bottom of their handles.
-
6
Set the knives --- again, no more than three --- in order of use from the outside in. The blades should face the plate.
-
7
Set the spoons, in order of use, on the outside of the knives. Unless you have a cocktail fork, this should be the outermost utensil on the right side of the plate.
-
8
Place a dessert spoon and fork above the plate, with the bowl of the spoon facing left, and the tines of the fork facing right. The fork should be closest to the plate.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
