Tricks and truths about tableware

For many people, being confronted by an array of cutlery at the dinner table can be an absolute nightmare! But don’t despair, all you need is to understand the basics of table setting etiquette to avoid those embarrassing “Pretty Women” moments at fancy dinner parties.

A few tips to remember:

• When it comes to cutlery always work from the outside in. In other words use the outside knife and fork for the first course and work your way in from there. 
• Knives are always placed on the right, and forks are always to the left.
• The soup spoon will always be on the outside of your right side if being served as a first course.
• Dessert cutlery will always be at the top of the place setting.
• When you are seated at a table that is formally set with a napkin, unfold the napkin and place it across the lap.
• Bread in a basket should be broken between the fingers rather than being cut.
• A soup bowl should always be tilted away from you and the spoon should be moved away for you towards the other side of the dish when scooped.
• When you are done eating, place your cutlery side by side pointing into the centre of the plate. This is a universal sign that you are done and in formal settings the waiter would then remove your plate from the table.

DID YOU KNOW … The spoon is the oldest eating utensil. The earliest spoons were made from wood, and ancient examples include those that were elaborately decorated in precious metals and intricately carved in ivory.

What you should know when setting a formal table:

• For a typical formal meal, each guest will need a salad fork, a soup spoon, a dinner knife and fork, and a dessert spoon and fork.
• Start on the left. The salad fork is placed on the outside and the dinner fork next to the plate on the inside.
• The soup spoon is placed on the outside of the dinner knife on the right.
• The dessert fork and spoon should be placed above the dinner plate, with the spoon on top.

Basic types of table cutlery and flatware

Knives:

• Dinner knife the most versatile pieces in a silver service. Although it is called the ‘dinner’ knife, it’s also great for serving butter and/or spreading condiments.
• Steak knives are often added to the typical 5-piece place setting. This piece can be made with a serrated or non-serrated edge and is characterized by its pointed blade.
• Luncheon knives are slightly smaller than the dinner knife and are used for meals and gatherings before dinner.
• Fish knife, a table knife with spatula-shaped blade designed for eating fish.

Forks:

• Luncheon forks are slightly smaller than the dinner fork, generally feature straight tines, and are used for meals and gatherings before dinner.
• Dinner forks are part of the typical 5-piece place setting. Dinner forks are used for the entrée course at dinner.
• Salad forks are used for the salad course served before dinner and are part of the typical 5-piece place setting. The salad fork can also be used for eating hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and other bite size foods.
• Dessert forks are designed to look a lot like the salad fork. This piece is placed directly above the dinner plate or charger and is used for eating cakes, pies, and pastries that follow dinner.
• Cake forks are used like dessert forks.
• Fish fork, a table fork (smaller than a dinner fork) designed for eating fish

Spoons:

• Teaspoon, a small spoon used to stir coffee and tea.
• Dessert spoon, a spoon designed specifically for eating dessert and sometimes used for soup or cereals, it may also be used to mix fluids. Similar in size to a soup spoon, intermediate between a teaspoon and a tablespoon but with a pointed rather than rounded bowl, it typically has a capacity around twice that of a teaspoon.
• Soup spoon, generally these spoons have round shallow bowls.
• Tablespoons are used for serving vegetables. Although tablespoons have a shape similar to teaspoons or place spoons, they are larger and are reserved for the serving bowls in the centre of the table or buffet.

Rob Hill from Gunhill Cutlers and Silversmiths answered some important questions for us with regards to cutlery and how to maintain it.

Q: What is the difference between cutlery and flatware?

A: “Cutlery by definition means knives and flatware means spoons and forks. With common usage of the English language however, both terms now generally mean all items.”

Q: Can cutlery be washed in a dishwasher?

A: “Dishwashing machines provide a welcome relief from the task of washing up. But to maintain the knife blades in good condition a few simple precautions are necessary.

Whenever possible wash the knives immediately. Do not leave them wet overnight and do not subject knives to the “rinse and hold” cycle. As soon as the dishwasher has completed its cycle, remove the knives and wipe them dry. Cutlery with non-metal handles should be washed by hand unless it is stated to be suitable for dishwashers.

If stains are produced by hard water or any other cause, they can usually be removed with a non-abrasive metal cleaning paste or liquid.”

Q: Tell us more about how knives are made?

A: “Knives can either have a hollow handle construction or a solid handle construction. Hollow handle knives: There are two types of hollow handle knives, namely the type where a forged blade with a tang is mounted to a hollow handle using a resin or cement. The second type is where the blade is stamped from sheet steel and welded to the hollow handle.

Hollow handle knives have many advantages over solid handle knives. Some of these advantages are as follows.

• The weight distribution is better.
• An excellent pattern definition and polish can be obtained on the handle.
• The handle can be wide enough to be comfortable to use, without being heavy and cumbersome.

Solid handle knives are normally made from one piece of steel and a compromise must be made therefore between cutting ability and corrosion resistance. Solid handle knives are often less comfortable to use, limited in pattern definition, often have a lesser finish and corrosion resistance than hollow handled knives. Solid handle knives are however less expensive than hollow handle knives.”

What is available?

HomeChoice has the following sets available:

Stainless steel cutlery: Plain or Swirl (this design has sandblasting detail) and Monarch.
Stainless steel cutlery with semi-gold plating: Classic Gold and Jubilee.
Stainless steel cutlery with full gold plating: Imperial Gold

** Each Set consists of 48 pieces; including 12 forks, 12 knives, 12 dinner spoons and 12 teaspoons.
Visit http://www.homechoice.co.za for more information.