Have we lost the skill of setting a table correctly?

Event industry bugbear #1 Table setting cutlery set wrongly...

It constantly amazes me how many event stylists/event managers don’t know how to set a dining table correctly. I believe it is as important to create a perfectly set table as being a beautifully styled table.

A few helpful hints:?

Knives - These are to be set on the RIGHT side of the plate with the blade FACING INWARDS. In medieval times, if the blade was facing outwards it meant that you wanted to go to war with the person sitting to your right. What a dinner party buzz killer!

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What cutlery do I use first? When dining, your cutlery should be placed in the order of use from the outside, inwards to the plate. The second rule, with only a few exceptions (eg. oyster fork) is: Forks go to the left of the plate, and knives and spoons go to the right.

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If you are requiring a side plate for bread, it is to be set to the left of the setting with the side knife facing outwards (despite the previous rule for entree & main knives).

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The cutlery should be set one inch (or 2.5cm depending on your age) in from the table edge.

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Setting round tables stumps most venue setup staff. The main thing to remember is to have each persons setting of cutlery all set parallel to each other. The common mistake is setting the side knife at the angle of the table. This is generally because the side plate & side knives are set first to work out spacing on the table. They all need to be straightened up when the whole setting is complete.

I’ve put together this list & attached graphics to use as a checklist for your next table masterpiece! I hope this helps!