House table setting rules

Behavior while eating, table setting, with the correct placement of cutlery on it, the culture of feasts developed from time immemorial. There are examples of tasting different dishes and drinks during the first rulers of ancient Egypt. The ancient Greeks, and later the Romans, ate on the refectory bed. At the beginning of the Middle Ages, with many monarchical courtyards, the nobility gathered at the oak dining table. Starting from the 11th century, when the feminine began to admit the female gender, the first rules of etiquette appeared.

Now we have sets of dishes, consisting of different items, a large number of cutlery, allowing to cover the table with taste, spread out the cuverts, properly arrange the menu. You can create a cozy, relaxed atmosphere during the meal on your own, you only need to follow certain rules when choosing kitchen utensils, additional decorative elements.

What is the table setting?

Knowledge of the basics of serving, the appointment of various items, the ability to properly behave at the table, improves the cultural level of a person. Proper arrangement of tableware allows you to eat in a comfortable environment. Let us dwell in more detail on the question of why serving is needed:

  1. When conducting various studies, it was proved that clean beautiful dishes make the dish even tastier.
  2. Healthy food often does not cause the desire to eat it, but a dish that looks beautiful awakens the appetite.
  3. It fosters the respect for food in a person, does not allow for a casual attitude towards it.
  4. It is an important indicator of status, and according to the person’s ability to handle cutlery, it is concluded that they are brought up.
  5. All items are picked up and laid out in their places, which allows during the meal not to be distracted by the search for the missing devices, and an interesting conversation will not be interrupted, no thoughts about the lack of a knife or fork will arise.
  6. Brings a person aesthetic pleasure, instills in him such a character trait as accuracy, introduces him to the rules of behavior in society.

Features and basic serving rules

The table is served depending on the type of meal, whether it is a regular dinner or a festive meal, the number of participants in this process. The sequence of design begins with the laying of the tablecloth, then proceed to the arrangement of the plates, the laying of cutlery, the placement of glasses, the placement of napkins, additional decoration. In order to properly cover, place the envelope, you must follow certain rules:

  1. Before you start serving the table, you need to think about the menu, what and how many dishes will be served.
  2. All the decoration should match the same style, ideal when it is also compatible with the interior /
  3. Use only perfectly clean tablecloths and napkins, all utensils should be well washed, free of stains, fingerprints, defects and contamination.
  4. It is necessary to have items in such a way that it is convenient for those who eat food. For each person should provide 80 cm of space.
  5. Forks are placed on the left, spoons, knives - on the right, put the tip upward in a certain order, corresponding to the serving dishes.
  6. All packed items should be used only for their intended purpose, you can not take in the left hand devices located on the right and vice versa.
  7. A glass of water is placed above the knife;
  8. A snack plate is placed in the middle of the place where the person will sit, indented by 2 cm from the edge of the table, a napkin is placed on it.
  9. If hot dishes are provided, a deep plate is set over the decorative one.
  10. To the left of the main dishes put a pie plate, over the forks.

Tablecloth: selection rules

One of the main elements in the process of setting the table is a tablecloth, it all starts with it. It should be perfectly clean, ironed, consistent with the nature of the feast. Casual models are better to choose neutral colors, and bright colors are well suited for a dinner party. To make the right choice of napkins, you should follow certain rules:

  1. The colors of the canvas should be in harmony with other interior items. For example, for light furniture it is better to choose green, yellow, beige tones, while the same design should be found on the upholstery of chairs, on pillows, and other elements.
  2. Tablecloth must conform to the shape of the table, so a round cover will spoil the look of a square product and vice versa.
  3. Everyday models are better to take from PVC, acrylic, or Teflon, holiday ones - from natural fiber (flax, cotton fabric).


It is necessary that the cloth chosen for the meal covers the entire surface, while the edges should hang down 20-25 cm evenly from all sides, covering the legs of the furniture. The descent rate is very important; if the parameter is more or less, then the covered structure, like the tablecloth itself, will look tasteless, sloppy.

Types of plates and their arrangement

The next step after laying the appropriate tablecloth will be the placement of plates. At the very center of the set decorative plate on which you can put a snack bar, and in the case of the presence of liquid dishes in the menu - a deep container. In this case, the soup is served in a soup plate, the broth - in the bowl. A saucer for bread is placed to the left of the support.

The table shows the main types of plates used for serving

NameDiameter, cmApplication item for filing
Soup20-24Soups, borscht, broths, liquid dairy dishes
Canteen27-32dishes in the form of side dishes, with a side dish
Snack Bar19-22Hot, cold snacks, puddings, fresh fruit
Dessert deep20Fruit, berries, confectionery
Dessert shallow20Sweet porridges, mousses, jelly
Pastry17,5Pies, toasts, bread, rolls, croissants
Dish40-45Meat domestic, wild animals, poultry, fish
Caviar15Black, red caviar
Socket9-10Honey jam
Ice-cream bowl9Fruit, jam, ice cream
Plate - chill (shell)9-17Cold, hot seafood
Partitioned dishArbitrary forms

Salads, appetizers, sauces, cuts, dried fruits
Salad BowlSalads, pickles, fresh vegetables, marinades
Herring bowlHerring, canned fish
Saucer10-15Put the cup, glass

Cutlery - the right location

The third item in the serving is the correct placement of devices. According to the rules of etiquette, spoons, forks, other utensils should be located as follows:

  • The devices are placed on both sides of the main container, in some cases - from above.
  • The forks are placed on the left, the spoons, the knives on the right, and the blade should be directed towards the plate, and not towards the sitting guest. Headboards of all appliances should look upwards, in the opposite direction from a person, except for those located on top of the dish.
  • If you list the dining table from left to right, the items should be arranged as follows: a fork for snacks, a fork for the main course, a table knife, a tablespoon, a teaspoon. The butter knife is placed on the bread plate, which is located above the main container.

For different meals have their own objects and ways of their location. The main condition - the layout of the instruments starts from the plate as they are prioritized.

Selection and arrangement of glasses

Table setting glasses, glasses, wine glasses depends on the drinks that will be served. Place them behind the main unit in a straight line or in a semicircle in two rows. The closest item to the plate will be used first. Remember, for what drink it is intended, simply - the larger the bowl on the leg, the smaller the strength will be the drink.

Glasses are arranged according to their height. For water use the highest. He stands first on the left, followed by a slightly smaller wine. Low (vodka stack) is placed at the plate to the right. A champagne glass stands alone, behind the rest.

Use of napkins

For serving you can use napkins of any material - fabric, paper, bamboo, patchwork. For everyday use, one of the types is enough, but on the holiday table should be both fabric and paper. Textiles are quickly saturated with the fat of the main dishes, so you should definitely provide him with an alternative. You can arrange a cotton towel on a serving plate in the form of a straw or a figured decor.

Paper napkins are placed partially under the plate in the form of an envelope, on a saucer in the form of an unusual design or in a napkin holder. They can be of different colors and textures. When choosing a product it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the celebration.


Decorations for serving

Make food attractive and appetizing, you can use the decor. Various inedible elements that create an aesthetic mood, reinforce the impression of eating, lift mood. In order not to overload the table, it is important to place the correct bright accents when serving. When placing decor catering experts recommend to adhere to the following rules:

  • Various decorations, natural flowers should not touch the dishes;
  • The decor should be placed closer to the center of the table;
  • You should not place small vases, figurines chaotically, it is better to use special textile tracks;
  • Candles should stand only on stands;
  • It is necessary to observe seasonality. Inappropriate serving in the spring to decorate with pumpkins and dry leaves;
  • Additional attributes should correspond to the theme of the celebration.

Types of serving

Any dish, even the simplest, is much more pleasant to eat from beautiful dishes using the correct cutlery. Table setting is very important, affects the appetite, reflects awareness of the rules of etiquette, raises the status of any event. The number of plates, spoons, glasses depends on the destination of the feast. It is not necessary to turn everyday meals into a magnificent celebration. The presence of starch tablecloths, napkins, crystal, flowers on the table - an indispensable requirement only for certain types of serving.

For breakfast

Morning eating is a traditional process for many families. You can make it more pleasant if you set the table according to all the rules. Expand your creativity in the kitchen in many ways. In a pleasant, elegant atmosphere, even non-lovers of breakfast in the morning will not be able to refuse a cup of coffee and ordinary scrambled eggs.

Be sure to get a great serving, if you adhere to the following rules:

  • We lay a tablecloth on the table. Clean ironed cloth will create comfort and unhurried homely atmosphere. It can be supplemented with a modern runner (cloth strip in the center of the table). You can also use coatings of oilcloth, but always whole and with a beautiful pattern;
  • Denote the center of the table. It can be a large flat platter of bread, a fruit stand, a vase with natural flowers;
  • The main dish. Depending on the type of food for him choose a deep or flat plate. You can place it on a pudding dish or a special napkin;
  • Lay out cutlery. On the right there is a knife turned with a blade to a plate, followed by a tablespoon, then a teaspoon. On the left is a fork;
  • Cups and glasses. On the left diagonally of the main plate we put a glass of water, and on the right a cup of coffee, tea, a glass of juice;
  • Additional elements. A sugar bowl with tweezers or a spoon is placed in the center of the table, saucers for cookies, sandwiches, and sockets for jam to the left of each plate.

For lunch and dinner

Joint dinners bring together family members, cheer up, so be sure to take place at the beautifully decorated table. If guests came to the house, not only the lunch menu, its presentation, but also the table setting changes. Depending on the type, number of dishes, age, guest status, this procedure can take place in several ways.

To begin the design of the table should be from the tablecloth. The classic sequence of arrangement provides for a standard set of dishes. First put round wide plates, they are deep for the first courses. If they serve snacks, the kit should be supplemented with snack dishes saucers decorated with a napkin. To the left of the plates lay a fork, to the right is a tablespoon and a knife. For spices, seasonings, salt shakers, oilers allocate a place in the center of the table. There are also stands for bottles, decanters. Glasses and glasses are placed at the top of the plates.

Lunch, evening meal after work should be calm and less intense than breakfast and lunch. There will be enough a pair of plates, placed sparingly, - small usual and salad bowl. A knife with a fork can be put to the right of the main items or in the usual way. Cut meats, bread, sauces are placed in the center. Depending on the selected drinks and their sequence, place glasses, glasses, cups.

For banquets

This type of serving is appropriate for large-scale family celebrations, corporate events. In this case, the table is covered with various dishes. The order of the devices will depend entirely on the menu, the order of serving, the variety of drinks.

Banquet involves the presence of a large number of people. To accommodate all guests comfortably use one rectangular table or several round. Cover them with plain tablecloths in size. Making start with a visual separation of the surface at the rate of 1 meter for each guest.

Each seating position at the banquet table is designated as a snack bar or a deep plate and a beautifully folded napkin. It should be located at a distance of 2 cm from the edge. On the left put the dishes for pies and bread. A variety of dishes at the banquet may suggest the presence of several types of spoons and forks. Place them in the classical way, lay out all at once on both sides of the plates. Snacks can be put on a plate and covered with a napkin. The most convenient distance from each other is 0.5 cm.

Placement of glasses depends on the type and sequence of drinks. Behind the plate, a little to the right, is a place of a glass for soft drinks. If the drink is in a mug (juice, beer), the handle is turned to the right. For alcoholic banquets, a special serving of glasses is schematically provided. Place them in two rows. The first row from the plate - a vodka glass, modern, wine glass. The second row is a ryneveynaya, lafit glass, a glass for sparkling wines.

Buffet

The peculiarity of the buffet reception is the absence of chairs. Guests are independently served, choose your favorite dishes. Eating is also required standing at a full oval table. Buffet reception is more often used at mini parties, business receptions, youth parties, in hotels. DIY table setting can be of several types, each of which has its own rules. The dishes are placed in a specific sequence as follows:

  • Glass containers for drinks. Expose glasses, wine glasses, piles can be in two rows, snake, groups, herringbone;
  • Snack, dessert plates. Each guest must have at least 2 pieces. Stack them on either side of the table;
  • Devices. Forks are placed on the edge of 6-10 pieces to the left of each stack of plates, knives to the right of 3 pieces;
  • Devices for spices. Must be open type. Put them in the center of the table.

Tea or coffee

For the coffee table suitable colorful tablecloths with rich embroidery. You can supplement them with a fabric path or individual napkins. Modern serving is impossible without a special service. If it includes only cups and saucers, then additional dishes (sugar bowl, milk jug) can be taken from another set. It is better to observe the rule of compatibility of materials - porcelain with porcelain, ceramics with ceramics.

Cover the table for tea should be with the arrangement of dessert plates. To the right of them they put a saucer and a cup diagonally (the handle is turned to the right parallel to the table). Spoon for tea is placed in a saucer, also with a pen to the right. The dessert spoon is placed to the right of the plate. In the center of the table, place is allocated for milk jugs, sugar bowls.

Ideas for festive table setting

Beautiful and proper table setting lays a pleasant impression on the guests about the hospitality of the hosts. In a pleasant comfortable atmosphere at the table it is easy to carry on a dialogue, it is convenient to absorb food without touching high objects with your hands and not soiling the sleeve on your neighbor's plate. It is possible to cover an amazing table with the help of ordinary household items for any thematic holiday.

Table setting for the New Year

The basic rule of a successful serving of the New Year's table is the observance of style, the maximum of colorful decor, only natural dishes. Plastic salad bowls, cups and all sorts of bowls will be inappropriate. It is better to use plain blue, green, yellow plates with different New Year patterns. Glass goblets and wine glasses can be decorated with a red ribbon. New Year's table will look boring without thematic decor. These can be scented candles, paper napkins of the original form, compositions from Christmas tree decorations. The center can be decorated with the symbol of the New Year.


Begin serving with a tablecloth. It is better to choose a bright canvas with a winter pattern. We put plates and devices according to the generally accepted scheme - forks on the left, a knife, spoons on the right. Стаканы и бокалы выставляем в последнюю очередь. Количество, тип приборов зависит от особенностей блюд и закусок. По этикету тканевую салфетку сворачивают трубочкой и кладут в тарелку, бумажную частично заправляют под нее.You can also use several napkin holders.

Easter table setting

Traditional Easter table setting is respected in every family. Kulich and Krashenki put in the center of the table. Baking is placed in a beautiful dish or in a special plate with circular cavities for eggs. The menu also includes various meat dishes, sausages, chicken rolls. Fish is not accepted. Easter feast is accompanied by drinking Cahors or other red wines.

Christians celebrate the main holiday of the year on a large scale, not stint on food and decorations. Tables are covered with the best tablecloths with Easter ornaments or spring patterns, and they put a wicker basket with illuminated products in the church in a prominent place. Napkins, egg-shaped coasters, beautiful bouquets will give a festive mood.


Laying the table for Easter is better with plates from one set. If they are not enough, you can connect two and alternate through the plate. Wine glasses must be present necessarily, since the main alcoholic drink of the light holiday is Cahors. If desired, they can be supplemented with glasses, mugs. Instruments and glass should be placed near each plate, even if there are small children among the guests. Unnecessary items can be removed when all the guests are determined with the seats and sit at the table.

Birthday table

To make the holiday bright and memorable, you must follow all the basic rules when setting the table. The success of the party depends on it. Be sure to take care of the presence of beautiful dessert plates, coasters for the cake, shelves for fruits, cocktail tubes and other festive paraphernalia. You can make a table at home or in a restaurant in the following ways:

  • Unusual colors and style. A single serving concept always looks very beautiful. You can dwell on the usual tea-drinking or choose an original fresh idea, for example, in the style of a Russian village, with rustic motifs;
  • Thematic design of the table. You will need to purchase additional devices and accessories in the chosen style. It can be a special decoration of napkins, shape, color, figurines from the mastic on the cake, nameplates. Popular serving options - in the style of the Italian mafia, Gotem City;


  • Seasonal decor, orientation to the season. The table can be decorated with natural seasonal materials. For spring, summer decor use wild flowers, fruits. In the fall, you can use wooden coasters, a bouquet of yellow leaves. Winter birthday will be decorated with brushes of mountain ash, tree branches in flowerpots.

Table setting for a children's party

Any holiday has its own organization and table setting. Children's event is no exception. Regardless of whether the overall theme is chosen or a neutral design, the children's table should be kept in the general color scheme. Serving should contain 2-3 primary colors.

Be sure to need dishes - glasses, dessert plates and spoons, stand for cake and pastries, ice cream saucers, a vase for fruit. If there are many little guests, for security reasons, plates and glasses are better to choose plastic or paper. It is better not to use forks. After the birthday boy divides the cake into pieces, the knife must be removed.


Serving Valentine's Day

Thematic table setting on the feast of all lovers creates a special atmosphere of romance and comfort. At the table there will be two, so do not need a lot of devices. You can decorate it with a variety of accessories, hearts, ribbons, flowers. Pairing elements would be appropriate.

Highlight the spirit of the holiday, a romantic atmosphere can be using textiles. A plain white tablecloth will be a great backdrop for festive decorations. Large red bows can be sewn to its corners, and the edges can be decorated with satin ribbon. Candy holders and cups also adorn stripes of bright material.

A great decoration for Valentine's Day is obtained from edible decor. Awesome serving can be created from a variety of pastries. It can be lollipops laid out by a beautiful hill, marmalade, marshmallows, chocolate balls, cookies in the form of hearts.


Wedding Table Setting

Cover the festive table is better with the use of beautiful china on the rules of serving. All guests must be the same, polished and polished.

Wedding banquet in the restaurant decided to serve long before the arrival of guests. First of all, the waiters take out the support plates. Their main function is to protect the tablecloth from stains, to designate the place of each guest. They set individual cutlery, which are replaced in the process of celebration.

Along the edges of the plates place spoons and forks. If there are invited people in the wedding cafeteria who are not used to etiquette so as not to embarrass them, it is better not to create an abundance of appliances. Oysters, lobsters can be served immediately with them. The wedding table overloaded with dishes should not be forced with plenty of glass goblets. It is enough to leave the most popular at the moment.


Serving for parties in nature or picnics

You can celebrate any event in nature with home comfort. Covering the table in the garden can not skimp on the bright colors. Unusual combinations, it would seem inappropriate in the house, here I will look harmonious and fun.

A party in nature involves not only a feast, but also walks, enjoying the green beauty, active games, swimming in the pond. Therefore, you should think in advance about protecting dishes from dust, sand, insects. Special caps and spherical meshes will be needed.

It is not necessary to carry huge bags of dishes with you to a forest clearing or to the park. For serving an improvised table, you can use plastic containers, containers with lids, in which products were delivered to the site. Of these, you can make salad bowls. In nature, it is quite possible to do with plastic disposable utensils. There are lots of comfortable and bright sets that will decorate any party.


Tips for arranging and serving dishes

Proper serving and consistency of dishes allows you to better feel the taste of each product, recognize the aroma of ingredients, and get the most out of your food. Serve them in the following sequence:

  • Cold snacks. Carry out in porcelain, ceramic ware. For caviar, use a special stand with ice, cold cuts on an oval plate with pickles;
  • Hot snack. Served in the dishes with which they were prepared - stew in pots, baked fish on a la carte;
  • First meal. Take out only in a heated plate, bowls with lids;
  • The second fish dishes. Boiled seafood is carried out on oval plates, fried - in special pans;
  • The second meat dishes. For stews, stews use clay pots, for steaks, schnitzel - plates;
  • Hot vegetable dishes. Baked eggplants, zucchini, Bulgarian pepper served on hot sheets;
  • Desserts, fruit. Sweets are placed in a bowl, fruits are placed on a table in deep vases.


Etiquette at the table: what is unacceptable

Even the most ordinary feast in the circle of relatives and friends should be held according to the rules of etiquette. The slightest deviation can create an awkward situation and discomfort for others. At the table is unacceptable:

  • View messages on the phone, answer calls;
  • Begin to eat until all the plates of the guests are filled;
  • Take the plates with two hands;
  • Putting soiled appliances on the tablecloth;
  • Cut the bread with a knife, bite off a large loaf;
  • Spread oil from common oil can;
  • Transfer the salt shaker separately from the pepper shaker;
  • Comb, use a mirror, a toothpick;
  • Indicate to the neighbor the ignorance of etiquette.

Conclusion

Table setting is an important aspect in a person’s life. The correct location of the devices allows you to take food with pleasure, not to be distracted by the search for the missing items, fosters accuracy in a person, and the ability to use the devices indicates education of eating food. Also, this circumstance is a manifestation of respect for invited friends or relatives. The ability to properly serve the table will help to hold any celebration at the highest level, contributes to the improvement of family relations, has a calm, relaxed conversation.

Watch the video: The Correct Table Setting - Ep3 part3 (March 2024).

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