How to set a table?

Is table setting an art or a science? That's the answer we've been searching for for years.

With the vast array of tableware in our kitchens, we can't seem to get started. But when your friends and family show up at your dinner party, how to set the table is a skill that must be learned.

Secondly, hosting a dinner party for family and friends is one of life's great pleasures. When a group of us slow down, sit at the table and quietly enjoy a nice dinner, then the food on the table is not so important, what is important is how to set a beautiful table that suits the occasion, and how to match it is especially important in the face of the wide range of tableware in the kitchen.

How to set the table used to be common sense, but in today's rapidly changing world, knowing how to set the table correctly has become a gathering skill. The etiquette of western food is very rigorous. It is not only the layout, but also some details of the meal that require additional attention.

Different Sences of Table Setting

Basic Dinner Table Setting

If you’re getting things ready for an everyday dinner or a weekend breakfast, you might want to know how to set a table properly. For casual events, one needs just a basic table setting: a placemat, cutlery (fork, knife, and spoon), a dinner plate, a water glass, and a napkin.

1. Lay out a place mat on the table.
2. Place the dinner plate in the center of the placemat.
3. The fork is placed to the left of the plate.
4. Place the knife to the right of the dinner plate and then set the spoon to the right of the knife.
5. Set the water glass in the top right corner, above the knife.
6. The napkin can be placed on top of the dinner plate or beneath the fork

Formal Dinner Table Setting

If you want to prepare a formal dinner to give the guests a distinguished experience, the first thing to pay attention to is the layout of the table. In order to avoid clutter, we usually need to follow some rules when setting up the table.

1. Set up a clean tablecloth. Then place the dinner plate in the middle of the setting. (For a more traditional table setting, place a charger board under the dinner plate.)
2. Add a salad plate to the top of the dinner plate.
3. The breadboard should be placed above and to the left of the dinner and salad plates. The butter knife can be placed horizontally on the breadboard.
4. The fork is on the left side of the plate, and the salad fork is on the left side of the fork.
5. Place the knife on the right side of the plate, and then place the spoon on the right side of the knife.
6. The dessert spoon should be placed horizontally above the plate.
7. There are water, white wine glass and red wine glass in the upper right corner of the location setting. The water glass should be closest to the guests (because I hope they drink more water than wine), and the red wine glass is immediately behind the white wine glass.
8. Fold the napkin (or use a chic napkin ring) and place it on top of the salad bowl.
9. Add a location card above the dessert spoon. Write the names of the guests on both sides so they can find their seats and the guests on the other side of the table will know who they are talking to.
10. You can put the dessert cup under the coffee cup and saucer.

Informal Table Setting

An informal occasion, usually having lunch with friends.

1. Put place MATS on the table
2. Place the plate in the center of the place mat.
3. Place the salad plate on top of the dinner plate.If you have a bread plate, place the bread plate on top left of the dinner plate and the salad plate.The butter knife is on the bread plate.
4. Put the fork on the left of the plate and the salad fork on the left of the fork
5. Put the knife on the right side of the plate and the spoon on the right side of the knife
6. Place dessert spoon horizontally on top of plate
7. Place water glass, white wine glass and red wine glass in the upper right corner of your plate.Or, place a folded napkin on top of your salad plate.