Table setting for dinner is an important step that should not be ignored, the main thing is to turn on the fantasy.
Content:
Why do you need serving
The concept of "serving" came to us from France - a country known for dictating the rules of style and etiquette. If we translate the word literally, we get "the preparation of the table and the items necessary for the meal." Some people think that serving is a matter of people from high society, and the average average person has no time and no need to waste time on it.
Cooking a table for dinner
Why do you need serving for dinner? Here are just some of the main factors:
- Aesthetic satisfaction. That's the way people are, that they always want everything around to be “beautiful”. Sometimes we even unconsciously take some action to surround ourselves with things that are pleasing to the eye. When the whole family is going to a weekend over lunch or is having an official meal with business partners, or any holidays are celebrated, all this is an occasion to devote time to serving.
- Practicality. In some families, in which it is not customary to especially prepare for dinner, someone has to run all the time for the right items. One will need another spoon, the other will not want to drink compote from a small glass, the third will ask for a supplement. When the table is qualitatively served, everything is in its place and everyone can enjoy a meal, pleasantly communicating with each other, while not thinking that something is missing.
- Benefits for the stomach. It may sound strange, but scientists have long proved the fact that a beautifully laid table, and especially if it is complemented by a pleasant company, has a positive effect on appetite. A cozy atmosphere is not created by itself, for this you need to make an effort. And paying proper attention to serving is a great way to do this.
Positive effect on appetite
Tablecloth
The tablecloth on the dining table should not be oilcloth, an option is a fabric, preferably cotton. Oilcloth is designed for the kitchen, it is well suited for cooking, because with it you can easily wipe garbage and water. To use it for serving the dining table is not aesthetically pleasing.
It is better to choose cloth tablecloths
As for the colors, in no case should the tablecloth be knit, look sloppy and attract excessive attention. The main attributes of any table, which immediately catches the guests in the eye, are cooked dishes. It is best to choose a tablecloth of light, neutral colors, for example, beige, but at the same time it is necessary to take into account the color of the dishes.
Choose a tablecloth of neutral colors
It is important to pay attention to the preparation of the tablecloth: it must be washed and ironed so that in any place there are no folds or creases. Also, it should fit the size, the edges can hang down only to the level of the seats of the chairs, no less. In the corners it should go down along the legs, evenly on each side.
It should go down the corners.
Dishes
Placing dishes plays an important role in providing guests with comfort. Which ones to place, depends primarily on cooked dishes.
It is important to choose what kind of dishes you need.
- The first plate is used for decoration and serves as a stand. It is not for eating and should be the right size. The area of the table, which falls on one person, according to the standards is 80 cm, so the plate-stand should be placed exactly in the middle of this gap.
The first plate serves as a stand
- A plate for the second dish is placed on top, and for the first one on top. This is a classic scheme, since almost any lunch menu involves a liquid dish and the main one. If only the second dish is served, then the option to put both plates disappears.
- On the left near the top a plate for bread is placed. It is called “Pirozhkovaya” and is used throughout the entire meal to put any bakery products on it.
Plates for bakery products
- Deciding whether to use dining and snack plates, as well as their number, must be based on the menu. If the appetizer is served in a dish that is designed to eat straight from it, you do not need to put these plates. If a cold or hot snack is prepared in the form of, for example, a salad, then you will have to prepare an additional plate.
We put a plate for salad
After all the plates are prepared, you can proceed to the preparation of the remaining devices that will be needed for lunch.
When placing the stand and the rest of the top, you need to remember about security. The minimum distance to the edge should be at least 2-3 cm.
Devices
- Forks are laid out to the left of the plate, strictly teeth up. How many of them will be, and what they will look like, depends on the dishes. The principle of laying out forks is simple: right to left, in order of use. For example, the closest to the plate will be a fork for the second (it is eaten first), there will be snack bars nearby, and further dessert ones.
- Knives and spoons are laid out on the same principle as the forks, but already to the right of the plates. It is important that all knives "look" in one direction - to the plate. Closer to the plate laid out knives, and behind them spoons.
Forks laid out to the left of the plate
There are also separate rules for the supply of appliances with spices. The salt shaker must be filled to 1/3, and the pepperbox is ½, the container with mustard can be filled to the edge, with it a spoon is always served. All liquid spices, olive oil, vinegar and others, are served in small bottles (usually 100-150 ml).
Do not forget about the spices on the table
Sauce bowls can be of different shapes and volumes, when serving them it is important to take care that the sauce is easy to type, and it does not stand open so as not to wear down. And devices with spices, and saucepans should be located in the center. They must be in such quantity that everyone can reach the desired item.
Serving the sauce to the table
Glasses
Beautiful glasses always look luxurious and give the atmosphere for dinner a special chic. The main glass, which must necessarily be present, is one that is designed for water. It is placed above the knives, at a distance of about 7 cm above.
Glasses are set as necessary
The remaining glasses are set based on the scheduled drinks. Closer to the first is a glass of juice (or compote), followed by wine. Even if you think that this or that guest will not drink, for example, wine, you must supply the same amount of equipment for each person.This will avoid uncomfortable moments and will not put the guests in an awkward position.
We put all the same number of glasses
If children are present at the table, they are allowed to put separate glasses for juices, they can be painted or decorated with age-appropriate drawings. In all other cases, it is recommended to use the same glasses, the same color, pattern and size for all guests.
Alcohol is rarely used at dinner, except for wine. However, if the event implies the presence of other drinks, stronger, can be put glasses and other utensils, depending on the choice of alcohol. They are put behind the main glasses.
Expose depending on alcohol
Napkins
Using paper napkins when serving dinner is a sign of bad taste. They look appropriate when eating street food or when you eat without guests, for example, herring. When beautiful, and even more festive, is covered, cloth napkins must be present on it.
It is better to use cloth napkins
The main thing with which napkins should be combined is a tablecloth. There are many ways to lay them out in an original way, so simple envelopes or convolutions are considered classic variants. It is important to count them so that no guest is left without a napkin.
A variety of choices how to file
An important role is played by coasters, which can have different shapes and decor, which looks beautiful and rich. In no case do not put the napkins in a transparent glass, it is also not recommended to use ordinary plastic coasters.
We make out in the form of an envelope
The focus is on clean wipes: they must be clean and ironed. If they are used for a long time, it is quite possible the formation of scuffs, such copies must be replaced. It is assumed that guests will use cloth napkins in order to cover their knees, and, therefore, they must look decent so that they can be safely applied to their clothes.
Clean filing is very important.
Decor and decoration
The simplest, but at the same time, way to decorate a dinner is to put a bunch of flowers in the center. It should not be a huge bouquet, because nothing should distract attention from the dishes, and guests should see each other well. Therefore, it is better to use the composition of a small size, which looks stylish and aesthetically pleasing, and also fits into the overall design, especially in color.
Flowers will not be superfluous
Also, themed decorations look stylish, they are appropriate to use when dinner is timed to any holiday. For example, for Christmas, which in our area is considered a family holiday, you can arrange angel figurines. It is important to ensure that not one element does not interfere with the use and transfer of dishes.
We decorate according to
Candles are an excellent decor, which are used not so much for lighting as for creating a cozy atmosphere. Such a warm atmosphere will have guests to communicate, and not necessarily all of them light, beautiful candles can be just a decoration.
return to menu ↑General rules
- The best way to make a bad lunch experience is to use untidy dishes. Therefore, it is important to check each device several times in order to eliminate any stains and other dirt that may even remain from ordinary water.
We review all the dishes before serving
- It is best to use sets of dishes, rather than any individual instances that differ in appearance. If this is not possible, you can take several different sets, but pick them up so that they harmoniously combined together.
- Chairs should be slightly extended so that guests can easily sit on them.The optimal distance is 40-50 cm from the edge. If appropriate, the chairs can be decorated with a fabric that blends with the tablecloth. If it is sewn to order, you can immediately take care of it.
We decorate the chairs with a cloth
- If at the end of the dinner tea or coffee is supposed, it is important to prepare the dishes for them in advance, but not to put it right away. She should be close so that, as soon as needed, the hostess could quickly expose them.
- Drinks should be located from different ends, and if they are in a single quantity, then in the middle. Water, juice and compote are served in jugs. Wine and champagne are put on a hundred pre-uncorked, but this should be done at the very end of the preparation, before the arrival of the guests, so that the drinks do not disappear.
Beautiful serving of alcoholic beverages
- When drawing up the menu and setting the dinner table, it is important to take care of the guests, because the task of the hostess is to organize everything so that everyone is comfortable. To do this, all those present must be warned in advance about the nature of the event, the theme, which will affect even the choice of their clothes. When serving, little things do not happen, so saving time on it is not worth it.
Table setting
Elementary Serving Concepts
