Dishes with proper table setting

Even the most uncomplicated dish can become a masterpiece of culinary art. This will help create a special unique atmosphere at the table. Beautiful tableware will help to achieve such an atmosphere. Design also plays an important role.

Where to start

Before you start setting the table, you need to think carefully and plan everything. Particular attention should be paid to the number of guests and the menu. Depending on what dishes and in what quantity will be served, appropriate cutlery is used.

First of all, a carefully ironed tablecloth is spread on the table. Approximately 25 - 30 cm from the table, the edges of the tablecloth descend, covering its legs. In order not to cause inconvenience to the guests at the table, they should not lower themselves to the seats of the chairs.

A soft cloth should be placed under the tablecloth itself. This is done to soften the sound of dishes on the table. For example, you can use fleece.

According to the rules of etiquette, it is not supposed to cover the tablecloth on top with oilcloth. Even if it is expensive and very beautiful. However, it is permissible to buy and lay a Teflon tablecloth.

The Teflon coating will protect the surface of the table from spilled drinks and greasy stains. You can easily get rid of them with a sponge. After cleaning, the Teflon tablecloth will not leave stains from drinks and traces of food.

In certain cases, it is permissible to use underplates or runners instead of a tablecloth. Underplates are various supports. They are placed under plates and cutlery. They can be made of plastic, bamboo. Plain paper plates can also be used. Runners are narrow fabric strips that are spread across the center of the table.

A Few Rules

Before arranging dishes and cutlery, you need to check that they are intact and clean. This means that they must be free of cracks or chips, plaque or rust. Cutlery must not be bent.

Even the most stylish tableware should be wiped clean of dust and water marks.. To do this, it is wiped with a damp towel. Then the dishes are polished with a dry, clean cloth.

All cutlery and accessories are arranged in the same order. It is acceptable for the participants of the feast to have different dishes if the atmosphere is rather informal. It is only necessary to remember that for each guest all cutlery must be completed without fail from one set.

To beautifully set the table, you can use a wide variety of elements. A significant part of them are not used daily at home feasts. However, these elements will be needed when a gala dinner or banquet is organized.

Plates

Approximately 35 types of plates can be used when organizing a feast. The most commonly used on the table are the following types:

1. Soup bowl.It usually serves soups on the table. This is a deep bowl. You can also serve muesli, oatmeal and other cereals, cereals filled with milk in it. The soup bowl is not intended for serving broths. They are poured into specially designed bowls.
2. Dining Plate. Such plates are divided into small and deep. Small plates are used to serve the second course. Italian pasta and other pasta dishes are traditionally served in deep plates.
3. Pie plate. It serves to serve bread, toast, butter. The plate is placed on top and slightly to the left of the basic set of cutlery and utensils. A butter knife is placed on top of the patty plate.
4. Chill plate. In appearance, it resembles a shell. It serves oysters. Salads are also available.
5. Fish plate. This is a slightly elongated plate. It is intended for serving fish dishes.

In addition to these main types, there are, for example, serving, dessert, egg, caviar plates.

As the rules of etiquette say, the serving plate may differ from the rest of the set of dishes. It can be taken from another set of dishes or differ in color. However, try to observe the overall color scheme: if white dishes are used in the table setting, then red underplates will bring dissonance into the composition.

Drinkware

To serve drinks to the table, stacks, glasses, wine glasses are intended. They differ in shape and volume. You need to know what drinks the glasses are intended for, and take this into account when setting the table.

1. A classic glass is used for serving sparkling wines. It is elongated. Its volume is 120-200 ml. It should be chilled before filling.
2. A glass with an increased volume has a slight difference from the classic container. Its neck is slightly narrowed. It is intended for refined sparkling wines. It is also cooled before being filled. Drink in a glass is poured no more than 2/3.
3. A glass with a narrow stem serves to serve white wine. Its bowl is slightly elongated. Its volume is 180-260 ml.
4. More open and spacious glasses are designed to serve different varieties of red wines.
5. Cognacs are served in classic glasses.

Liquor glasses, shot glasses, beer glasses can be used. It all depends on the wishes of the invited guests and the wishes of the hosts themselves.

Cutlery

Over the years of the development of the culinary arts and the development of the ability to set the table, a diverse amount of fashionable tableware has arisen, namely cutlery and accessories. All of them are divided into two basic groups. These are the main cutlery and auxiliary appliances. They are often also called serving.

All major appliances are designed for individual use by each guest. Auxiliary devices are used by everyone at the table. With the help of auxiliary devices, dishes are cut and divided into portions. Portions are then laid out on plates.

Varieties of basic devices:

1. Cutlery. They serve for eating soups and second courses. The standard set of accessories consists of a fork, spoon and knife.
2. Snack utensils. Cold dishes and snacks are eaten with their help. Fork and knife are used.
3. Fish appliances. Designed exclusively for fish dishes. They differ slightly modified knife and fork. The knife is blunt, made in the form of a spatula. The fork has shortened teeth.
4. Dessert cutlery. The set consists of a small spoon, a three-pronged fork and a narrow knife. The length of the fork is 18 - 19 cm. With their help, all kinds of desserts are eaten.
5. Fruit utensils.They eat a variety of fruits. The standard set includes a knife and a two-pronged fork. Fruit salads, desserts are also eaten with their help.

The supply of special cutlery is not excluded. They are designed for strictly defined dishes. So, for example, a seafood fork can be served.

What is used and how

Most often, difficulties arise when serving and further using cutlery. In this case, a simple hint comes to the rescue. Cutlery is taken in the direction from the edge to the center and from right to left. That is, the meal should be started with cutlery, which are farthest from the plate. If in doubt, first of all, you should take the device located on the right side.

How to arrange dishes and cutlery

The ability to tastefully and competently set the table is a whole science in which certain rules and a number of exceptions have been formed over the entire time of its existence. However, the table can be correctly set without much difficulty, if you remember the following main points:

1. Serve the table should be, following the strict sequence of devices. Faience and porcelain utensils are placed first. In the second place, cutlery is laid out. When setting the table with glassware, it is placed at the very end.
2. Everything is laid out so that the closest are those cutlery with which the meal will begin. This does not mean that you need to put all the cutlery and dishes at once. First you need to prepare cutlery for the main dishes. After the main dishes are taken away, dessert accessories are arranged.
3. The knife should lie with the blade towards the plate.
4. Containers for drinks should be located above the knife.
5. Forks are always placed on the left side of the plate. Spoons should always lie to the right of the knives.
6. If you plan to serve Italian dishes, then you definitely need a plate for bread on the table.
7. When soup is on the menu, soup spoons are indispensable. Place a soup spoon between the appetizer and fish knives.

In addition to the above, there are several more rules. They clearly regulate how to properly arrange dishes and cutlery for table setting.

Plates

According to the rules, a competent table setting begins with the arrangement of plates. They are placed about 2 cm from the edge. The very distance between the plates is about the same. The gap between the dishes is 50 cm. This is done for the convenience of the participants in the feast.

According to the rules, in front of the chair of each participant in the feast there should be a plate with the required set of cutlery. The number of utensils and appliances is determined based on the menu and type of meal. For example, one plate with the necessary cutlery is enough for a simple meal. It is necessary to submit already a couple of plates and, accordingly, more cutlery, to organize lunch and dinner.

Smaller cymbals are always placed on top of larger cymbals. Thus, they can be replaced quickly and conveniently. See how the tableware is arranged in the photo below - this saves free surface area.

Forks and spoons

Cutlery is laid out after the plates have been placed. They are placed to the left and right of each plate. According to the rules, on the right side are spoons and knives. Therefore, forks are placed on the left side. The cutlery should be turned to the table with its concave side.

It is important to put on the table only those accessories that guests and hosts will really need during the feast. If the meal is ordinary, then a knife, fork and a couple of spoons will suffice. Spoons will be needed for the first course and dessert. This set can be supplemented with special devices, if necessary.

Glasses

Glasses for drinks are placed a little to the right of the plates. Considering which contingent is invited, and what drinks will be served to the guests, the containers themselves are selected.

Drinkware is arranged from larger to smaller size. Too many shots or glasses should not be placed. This may cause inconvenience to invited guests. In addition, the table area will be cluttered.

The meaning of the color scheme of dishes for table setting

“Setting the table with white utensils artfully combined with a variety of soft pastel shades will bring an element of romance to lunch or dinner.”

The color shade is just as important in a proper table setting as it is in the design of a room or the choice of clothes.

A white tablecloth is used in most cases. Another color for the tablecloth is also great, especially if you want to create an unusual atmosphere. In many ways, it all depends on the type of feasting event. The wishes of the owners themselves are also taken into account.

The snow-white tablecloth is ideal for formal events. It looks beautiful and appropriate, as it is perfect for any festive banquet. White color can be skillfully combined with other suitable shades. Serving, decorated in classic black and white, will look exceptionally impressive.

At the same time, table setting with white dishes in a skillful combination with a variety of soft pastel shades will bring an element of romance to lunch or dinner. Serving, entirely sustained in green, looks very unusual and stylish. Green color will add a rainbow of spring mood.

Blue and white colors are beautifully combined. As for red, you need to use it with caution. Red can affect guests in different ways. Under certain circumstances, it can even affect the overall atmosphere at the table.

Table decor

Serving takes on a complete image after decorating the table. Napkins are a basic element of decor. Beautiful napkins can be placed on top of the plates, next to them, or placed in a beautiful glass.

At a regular dinner, large napkins are used. Smaller napkins are taken for breakfast.

When large festive feasting events are organized, napkins are folded in the form of flowers or bizarre figures. The pattern and color of napkins can be anything, the main thing is that it is combined with the overall picture of the serving.

In addition to napkins, the table can be decorated with a vase of flowers, beautiful candles or decorative elements on the theme.

Rules for table setting with dishes at home

As usual, plates are placed on the table first. Containers for drinks are placed last.

Plates are placed on the table as follows:

1. A plate for snacks is placed about 3 cm from the edge.
2. On the left hand is a pie plate.
3. If there is a change of dishes, then a small dinner plate is placed under the snack plate. Before this, you must first put a napkin under the dinner plate.

Depending on which first dish was prepared, a suitable plate is selected. For example, cream soup or broth should be served in a bowl. Soups or borsch are poured into a large deep plate.

Glasses must be placed in one straight line. A glass of wine is placed on the right side, a glass of water on the left.If a large-scale banquet is being prepared with a large number of dishes and drinks, then the drinkware can be placed in two rows.

All dishes for table setting are prepared in advance. It must be washed, dried and thoroughly wiped with a towel. The dishes must look perfect. Its cloudy or simply insufficiently transparent appearance, any stains or streaks are unacceptable.

Rules for competent serving of the festive table

"Stylish tableware for festive table setting will give the feast a warm friendly atmosphere"

A solemn feast is organized not only for the owners of the house, but also for invited guests.

Guests should be comfortable and comfortable at the table. With observance of the rules of serving, the feast can be considered a success.

What you need to know

Any hostess must comply with the following requirements:

1. A clean and ironed tablecloth must be laid on the table. It will not be superfluous to lay a soft dense fabric under it. This will muffle the possible clanging of dishes on the table if the container tips over. In addition, the surface of the table will not suffer from liquid spilled on it. If the table is made of expensive and valuable wood, then it is permissible to do without a tablecloth at all.
2. All dishes for the festive table setting must belong to one set. It is unacceptable that the dishes and cutlery on the table be of different colors and sizes. Dishes must be spotlessly clean.
3. Plates and cutlery are laid out in accordance with the serving of dishes.
4. Do not force the festive table with extra dishes and cutlery. They will not be needed during the feast, they will take up extra space and ruin all the careful serving.
5. All alcohol is served on the table in pre-opened containers. But there is one exception: champagne should be opened immediately before serving.
6. Each participant in the feast should have one cloth napkin and several paper napkins.
7. The hostess herself serves the first dish to the participants of the feast. She pours it into plates from a special tureen. One of the family members or guests can help her by passing out full plates. To do this, you need to approach each participant in the feast on the right side.
8. Guests put the main dishes on their own plates.

Dishes during a feast should be served in the following order: first appetizers and first courses, then fish dishes, meat dishes. Finally, they bring out a sweet dessert or fruit, offer tea or coffee.

If the festive table is competently and tastefully decorated, this will emphasize the skill and skill of the hostess. In addition, stylish tableware for festive table setting will give the feast a warm friendly atmosphere.

Useful tips for table setting dishes

Table setting masters give the following tips:

• When the table is arranged for a wedding celebration, the main focus is on the places for the bride and groom. They can be decorated with symbols of love. For example, swans, hearts. Individual wine glasses are also placed here, which differ from the rest. The tablecloth must be snow-white, the dishes are also chosen white, it is possible with a silver or golden border. See how the table setting with white dishes looks like in the photo below.
• If you want to create a romantic atmosphere, you can put candles and a fruit basket on the table. Fruit can also be replaced with a bottle of wine. Cutlery for a romantic dinner is placed in such a way that the seated are seated opposite each other. No need to put a lot of dishes. One set of cutlery per person will be enough.The tablecloth can be white or red. If the design needs to give an atmosphere of tenderness, then red and pink tones are combined.
• If we are talking about the design of a round table, then you need to use only the most necessary cutlery. This will allow those participating in the event to avoid additional inconvenience. Before each new serving of dishes, the set of dishes and cutlery is changed.
• If you want to set the table for a birthday, then in this case the age of the hero of the occasion plays an important role. For example, for a child, a festive table can be decorated with balloons, toys, or figures of cartoon characters. If a young girl is celebrating, then fresh flowers, original dishes, beautiful napkins are suitable as table decorations.

With careful observance of all the rules, even table setting with disposable tableware will make a favorable impression on guests.

Conclusion

You can use a large number of options for table setting with dishes. But it should be understood that serving is a creative process, and not a strict set of clear rules. Therefore, when preparing a festive table, you must follow the general requirements, but it is quite acceptable to bring your own ideas.

---