Let's discuss one of the simplest stuff:
Table Setting
You might be thinking, “Why get into table setting? Who can’t set a table?”
Well, that’s a good point, actually. But I figured we would touch on this just in case there is a reader or two out
there that’s never set a table for more than one.
You’ll want to set your table well before your guests arrive. First impressions are everything, so you want your
guests’ first impression to be a good one. Therefore, we not only want to have the table set, we want it to be set
correctly (or as close as we can get it).
There are so many ways to set a table, depending on a number of factors. Formal settings will differ from non-
formal.
Will there be soup, salad, both? Wine? What kind of wine? What main dish are you serving? Bread and butter?
See what it means? So, we’re not going to kill ourselves, debating over the exact or proper way to set a table.
We have assumed that your guests (at least during your first dinner parties) will be all friends and family. If
something in the table setting is not exactly right, they’ll forgive you! We will concentrate on a casual dinner, not
formal, setting.
Tip
Set the table the night before.
This way, there’s one less thing to worry about while you cook.
If this is not possible, then organize your dishes, flatware, glasses etc so that when it’s time to set the table,
everything is ready at your fingertips! Makes you look like you know what you’re doing . . .
Casual Setting
We’ll start with some general things to remember.
Allow for 24" to 30" for each place setting. This will help avoid over-crowding.
Place settings should be 1" from the edge of the table.
Place silverware in the order of use. What is to be used first is placed farthest from the plate, and so on.
Knives are placed to the right of the plate, with the knife's cutting edge facing the plate. Spoons are placed to
the right of the plate and to the right of the knives.
All forks are placed to the left of the plate, in order of use. If salad is to be served with the main course, or if the
salad fork is to be used as a dessert fork, it is placed to the right of the dinner fork, next to the plate.
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