How to Set a Table for Guests: Tips for a Stunning Table

How to Set a Table for Guests: Tips for a Stunning Table

What housewife wouldn’t want to show off her culinary skills and a beautifully set table in front of her welcoming guests! But not everyone has attended the school of noble maidens to know the exact location of all the appliances. We are here to help you and fill in the gaps; trust me, setting the table correctly is easier than you think!

If earlier the rules of dining etiquette were elevated to the rank of a cult, today we do not have time to dwell on the aesthetics of food. Clean dishes, an elegant tablecloth and delicious food cost women (yes, even more often women) in terms of time spent. But if there are guests on the doorstep, a family feast is approaching or you simply have a desire, why not surprise your loved ones and friends with the skill of setting the table.

Where to place plates, forks, napkins, knives, glasses? In everyday life, we often act intuitively and rely on convenience. But the rules still exist, and remembering them will not be difficult, especially if you practice a little. Keep to yourself our recommendations that will tell you how to properly set the table before the guests arrive.

Standard table setting

Here we have the most minimalist option for arranging cutlery, which will be useful in the daily routine. To set the table, you will need a cutlery holder, a fork, a knife, a spoon, a plate, a glass of water or juice, and a napkin. So, follow the instructions.

  1. Place the napkin on the table and place a plate in the middle.
  2. Place a napkin to the left of the plate and a fork on top.
  3. Place the knife to the right of the plate with the blade facing inward.
  4. Place the spoon to the right of the knife.
  5. Place a glass of water slightly above the plate on the right.

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You can also place a napkin on a plate, but this is done in a more formal setting.

Complete table setting

This option is found in fine restaurants, at formal receptions and at simple weddings. To properly set a table with full service, you need to stock up on more cutlery and dishes than with any other option. At home, this option is often supplemented with only a soup plate and a few cutlery.

There is no need to overload the space with dishes if you are not serving a lot of dishes on the table. No salad? Then a fork is enough. Are you planning to offer white wine to your guests? Then glasses for red are not necessary. And if there is no soup, skip the bowl and soup spoon. If your menu includes steak, prepare your steak knives. We will show you how to set the table with this setting.

  1. Lay a napkin on the table and place a plate in the middle.
  2. Place the salad plate on your plate.
  3. If soup comes first, place a bowl of it on top of the salad bowl.
  4. Place a fork on the napkin to the left of the plate.
  5. Place a knife and then a spoon to the right of the plate.
  6. Place a glass of water directly above the knife.
  7. To the right and just above the glass of water, place a wine glass or a glass for another beverage.

If you are using individual salt and pepper shakers for each guest, place them on the placemat. But if the salt and pepper shakers fit everyone, place them in the center of the table. A large table is roughly divided in half and salt shakers are placed in the middle of each half.

Table setting for a banquet

How to Set a Table for Guests: Tips for a Stunning Table

When planning an elegant three-course dinner, the task becomes a little more complicated, but still quite doable. For formal dinners, coasters are often used to serve as a support for other dishes. This looks good and protects the tablecloth from stains. If you are expecting guests, a tablecloth, dinner and soup plates, salad plates, bread plates, napkins, salad forks, table forks, knives, soup spoons, butter knives, dessert spoons, water glasses, glasses will help you set the table properly. .for red and white wine. We explain the procedure.

  1. Place an ironed tablecloth on the table.
  2. Spread out the napkin and place a plate in the middle.
  3. Place the bread plate to the left of the dinner plate – in the upper corner. Place a butter knife on top – blade down and handle to the right.
  4. Place the salad fork on the left side, opposite the plate, and the main course fork closer.
  5. Place the table knife, soup spoon and teaspoon on the right as you walk away.
  6. Place a glass of water on a table knife. A glass for white wine – to the right of a glass of water, a little higher – for white.

Arrange the salt and pepper shakers according to the scheme of the previous serving option. If a large number of guests are expected, the name card should be placed above the teaspoon. After the soup, a plate of salad is put in its place, and the first one is taken away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to set the table properly if you are expecting guests

What is the best way to decorate the centerpiece?

Tiny bouquets in small vases or candles are a great choice for elegant table decoration. The main thing is that the items do not block the view of guests, do not emit a strong aroma and do not interfere with the dishes. If you know how to masterfully cut fruits, vegetables and delicacies, then you may not need additional decoration.

Which napkins to choose – paper or cloth?

For a regular meal or a family feast, you can take paper napkins and fold them in a napkin holder. Cloth varieties are usually folded into a tube or in the form of a flat figure. If you want to provide a cloth napkin for each guest, make sure that it is folded in the same way.

How are the cutlery sets different?

Every day we use a minimum of household appliances, but gala lunches and dinners are often accompanied by an abundance of household appliances. It is not difficult to distinguish them. Cutlery is the usual set of forks and spoons for the first and second courses. Desserts include dessert forks, teaspoons, sugar tongs, etc. Serving utensils allow you to cut dishes into portions and are not individual. This includes a ladle, special knives, forks and spoons for appetizers, salads, fish cuts, sauces, tongs for bread, ice cream, etc.

Why do we need to set the table?

How to set the table properly if you are expecting guests

It would seem that all these rules do not affect the taste of the dishes or the atmosphere at the table. But, admittedly, guests will certainly appreciate your efforts, because they will understand that they were really expected, prepared for their arrival and tried to please. The setting will set the tone for communication, and the lunch/dinner will begin with many pleasant compliments addressed to you.



Source: The Voice Mag

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