How to Set a Table

Have you planned a formal dinner at your place? You must be busy sorting out your best recipes to zero down on the perfect menu. However, when hosting a formal dinner, you should remember that setting the table properly for dinner is equally important.

Things Required
A properly set table looks very welcoming and inviting. You should remember that even modest dining set and cutlery can make a dinner table look attractive when arranged in an appropriate manner. The following are the things that are required on a formal or a semi casual dinner table.

• 3 types of forks (salad, dinner, dessert or cake fork)
• 3 types of spoons (tea, soup, dessert spoon)
• 2 types of knives (dinner, bread knife)
• 3 types of glasses (water, wine, liqueur glass)
• 2 types of plates (dinner, bread and butter plate)
• Cup and saucer
• Napkin

Setting a Table for a Sit-Down Dinner
Before you begin setting the table for dinner, you should count the number of people and plan on the sitting arrangement. Once the number and the arrangement is counted, you should begin with the table setting. Here is the exact arrangement of the cutlery at a formal dinner.

• Start with the tablecloth. A white damask is usually used for a formal dinner. The cloth should reach up to a foot or two above the ground.
• Place the dinner or the service plate 1-2 inch from the edge of the table.
• Now, from the left, place the dessert fork on immediate left of the plate. Place the dinner fork to the left of dessert fork and the salad fork to the extreme left.
• Now, place the dinner knife to the right of the plate. Next to the knife, place the teaspoon and the soup spoon respectively.
• Soup bowl should be placed on the dinner plate.
• Place the bread and butter plate on the top left of the dinner plate. The bread knife can be placed over the bread plate or to the right of it.
• To the top right of the dinner plate, starting from left, place the water glass, the wine glass and the liqueur glass respectively.
• Lastly, the napkin can be folded and placed on the dinner plate, or on the left side of the salad fork or even at the top near the glasses.

When at a formal dinner, one needs to follow certain dinner rules and etiquette. While eating, start using cutlery from extreme and work your way in. However, in case you are confused which cutlery to use for a particular dish, wait for a moment, look around the table; observe the host or other guests and follow suit.

Setting a Buffet Table
Setting the buffet table may also seem challenging, if you keep some basic things in mind. It is very easy to arrange a buffet table even for large number of people. Firstly as above, count the number of people and plan the menu beforehand. Also, you should decide the location of the table and the direction of the traffic flow around it. For a larger crowd, you can set the table both ways in order to avoid crowding.

• Table cloth for a buffet dinner should always reach to the floor.
• At the starting point, usually a corner of the table, place a stack of plates.
• Place marinated fish, picked dishes next to the plates.
• Now, arrange the main course with all the cold dishes placed consecutively. (You can put cards with the names of the respective dishes nearby for the guests' convenience)
• Place all the hot dishes next to the colder ones, also in consecutive fashion. Sauces of the respective cold and hot dishes should be placed near them.
• Place bread basket, bread rolls, butter plate with knife, cheese platter, etc. once you are done with the main course.
• Place cutlery, napkins, pots of salt and pepper next to bread plates.
• Beverages and desserts should be placed at the end. If its coffee after dinner, you should add cups, saucers, cream, sugar, milk pot nearby.

As one last concluding tip, you should remember that setting a table appropriately requires time and hence, do not keep it pending as the last chore! Good luck!