Table Setting: The Easy Way!

Have you ever wondered why your plate is set over another one at a formal event, or why at some table settings you have more forks and several sort of glasses? Well, this is because table etiquette variates according to the setting of the event: whether it is formal, informal or familiar, and so on. At any rate, while the situations are different, there’s always one thing they have in common, and that is that each one of them requires a bit of knowledge from us to be capable of sailing through any social event without a hitch. With this easy guide I’ll tell you about the most common table settings, while explaining how you should behave in each of those.

But first, let me give you some basic information: As far as the proper setting goes, the norm is to have a minimum of 24 inches of space for plate setting per person, and keeping all the plates at least one inch away from the edge of the table. This distance is calculated to fit any sort of setting, from the ones where you use a simple set of silverware, to the ones where you have several to pick from according to the menu they offer.  The idea is that the elements placed on the table are arranged in a clockwise direction: spoon, knife, dinner plates with the napkin on top, forks, bread  and butter plates, dessert spoon and dessert fork. It’s important to note that at all times you are going to find it placed for right handed people.  

Now, the two main currents as far as table setting goes are formal and informal, with some marked differences, as well as resemblances, so let me explain to you what differentiates these two:

Formal Table Setting

This is the one where all the space of a patron is used to place different kind of utensils, and it is important to know it properly. Regardless of the amount of silverware, you want to place them in order of use starting from the outside, and this is achieved using the simple rule of “forks through knives to spoons”. As far as the amount of them you are going to present in front of your guest, the ideal is that only the ones you are going to use are placed, so they must be checked according to the menu for the event. The last ones to use should be the ones for dessert, and whether that is a spoon or a fork, you have two options: placing them closer to the plate on the sides, which could cause visual clutter; or placing them on the top of the plate, generating an overall more symmetrical feeling. The glasses should be placed from left to right in front of the plate, forming a diagonal line and placing them in this order: water, white wine, red wine and champagne flute if necessary, and the water glass is the only one that should remain on the table throughout the soiree. The servers or hosts should remove the instruments after the course is consumed, always from the right.

One of the things that generates more curiosity as far for people is the underplate, that is the piece of tableware that remains below all the dishes that are served throughout the meal. It can be metal, or porcelain, the idea is to generate a contrast against the mantle, so that the food stands out nicely when presented. The napkin should be placed on top of this at the start of the meal, preferably folded in an artistic manner.

Informal Table Setting

This is a more laid back setting, where you are only using one plate to present the dishes. This one is in the middle of the space, and the silverware is placed with the util side facing the plate, the fork from the right and the knife and spoon from the left. The rule of placing them in order of use it’s applicable in this setting too, and while the amount is significative less, the importance of symmetry and positioning of the flatware is important too: You don’t want any of your patrons asking for an item because it was not placed on the table in the first place.

As far as the napkin and glasses go, the napkin could be placed virtually anywhere, and the glass should be on the right side of the top of the plate, being normally just water and wine present on the table. You can also place bread or butter plates on the table, always top left from the plate with the optional knife.

Now that you know about these two kinds of table settings, what are you waiting to put in practice this knowledge of the different kinds and variations presented in different events? Let us know how these information has been useful to you and remember that the guys at RG Cocina Mexicana have an special offer for their delivery service!