The Basic Table Setting

Skills for a Lifetime

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•Dishes/Glassware•Utensils•Napkin• Tips

Begin

Begin

Begin

Begin

Plates and Glassware

A basic setting requires one each of the following:

Dinner plate Bread plate Beverage glass

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Plates and Glassware Dinner Plate Positioning

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The dinner plate should always be centered within the place settingWe will begin at the center and work our way outward

Plates and Glassware Bread Plate Positioning

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The bread plate should be placed above and to the left of the dinner plate

Plates and Glassware Finished View

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The beverage glass should be placed above and to the right of the dinner plate

Your place setting should look like the above.

Plates and Glassware Helpful Reminders

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Should you ever find yourself confused over which bread plate or dinner glass is yours, or if you are asked to help set the table while at a friends…just remember this trick.

With your hands out in front of you and connect your index finger to your thumb to form a circle. Notice this forms a small “b” for bread on the left and a small “d” on the right for drink.

Now you can eat or set the table with confidence

Utensils

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A basic setting requires one each of the following:

ForkKnifeSpoonBread/Butter

Knife

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Utensil Fork Positioning

The fork should be placed to the left of the dinner plate

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Utensil Knife Positioning

The knife should be placed to the right of the dinner plate

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Utensil Spoon Positioning

The spoon should be placed to the right of the knife

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Utensil Bread Knife Positioning

The bread/butter knife should be placed across the bread plate

Utensil Helpful Reminders

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Remembering which utensils to place on the left and right hand side is as

easy as counting the letters.Left has four lettersFork is the only utensil with four lettersTherefore the fork should be placed on the left

Right has five letters Both the knife and spoon have five

letters. Therefore both should be placed on the right!

Napkin Placement

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The napkin can either be placed to the left of the fork or in the center of the plate. Either is

acceptable! Below are images of your finished setting.

Tips/Helpful Hints

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Utensils: Remember just count the letters in left and right! If you do this, you can’t go wrong!

Bread and beverage anxiety? Just connect your index finger to your thumbBread plate is on the upper left, the beverage glass is on the upper right

Basic place setting etiquette:The plate should be the center of attentionAnd remember a basic one inch rule. The plate should be one inch from the edge of the table, and utensils should be placed no closer than one inch from the dinner plate.