Instructions: For this table setting there are 17 items. Starting in numerical order, this blog will provide you with information on what each item is as well as how to utilize it properly during dinner. This is a formal American table setting.
1. Napkin: It is located as always to your left and occasionally across your service plate (6). Typically, and naturally you will unfold your napkin and lay it across your lap. Note, however this is only done once the hostess places his or her napkin on his or her lap.
2. Salad Fork: It is located to the left of the service plate on the outside of the dinner fork (3). The salad fork will be utilized for eating salads after eating soup with the soup spoon (13).
3. Dinner Fork: It is located to the left of the service plate, inside of the salad fork (2). It will be used during dinner.
4. Bread Plate: It is located northwest of the service plate. It Is typically not moved during the course of the meal. The bread plate is used only for placing bread on. Tip: when eating bread one must rip pieces and eat each piece.
5. Bread Knife: It is located on top of bread plate (4). One will utilize the bread knife by spreading butter on the bread plate from the shared butter container. After the butter is on the bread plate, one can spread the butter on each piece of bread.
6. Service Plate: It is the largest plate on the table. This will be the plate that your main meal will be on. However it most restaurants, the service plate will be taken away before your actual entrée comes out.
7. Salad Plate: It is located on top of the service plate (6). This plate is utilized only for salad.
8. Soup Bowl: It is located on top of the salad plate (7). The soup bowl is not always provided in all restaurants.
9. Dessert Spoon: It is located north of the service plate (6) and outside of the cake fork (10). It is utilized for desserts like ice cream.
10. Cake Fork: It is located north of the service plate (6) below the dessert spoon (9). It is utilized for cake during the dessert course.
11. Dinner Knife: It is located to the right of the service plate (6) and is utilized during the dinner course.
12. Teaspoon: It is located to the right side of the service plate (6), in between the dinner knife (11) and the soup spoon (13). The teaspoon is used with the tea cup or coffee cup, typically during dessert (14).
13. Soup Spoon: It is located to the right of the service plate (6) on the outside of the teaspoon (12). The soup spoon is used for soup with the soup bowl (8).
14. Tea Cup: It is used typically during the dessert course, but it is acceptable to have tea during any meal.
15. White Wine Glass: It is located to the northeast of the service plate (6). It is also the wine glass that is narrower and located closest compared to the other wine glasses. Note: this blog does not cover it, but certain white wines are paired with certain meals.
16. Red Wine Glass: It is located to the northeast of the service plate (6), past the white wine glass (15). Appearance wise, it is wider that the white wine glass. Note: this blog does not cover it, but certain red wines are paired with certain meals.
17. Water Goblet/Glass: It is located to the northeast of the service plate (6), past the red wine glass (16).
Conclusion: You are now aware of what each item in an American formal table setting includes, along with their uses. You have the basic knowledge to be successful in a dinner interview or to impress a loved one! Go get ‘em!
