Correctly place cutlery and set the table
Your 4-course menu is set already and cooking slowly. Your guests are coming soon, and you need help setting the table properly. Our guide will help you correctly place the dishes, cutlery and glasses. So you convince your guests with your cooking skills and create the perfect atmosphere for a cozy dinner.
HOW DO I SET THE TABLE FOR A 4-COURSE MEAL?
How do you arrange cutlery, napkins and glasses correctly? Learn more here in our video.
Set the table and lay cutlery correctly - this is how to do it
1. Ambience & Decoration
You can use a lovely table runner or matching placemats to create a pleasant atmosphere. The guests' seats should always be arranged precisely opposite each other so that they can talk better. Also, all guests should have about 50-70 cm of space at the table, so they do not feel cramped.
2. The baseline
Now you start with the plate placing. Plates should be positioned in the center, with a thumb's width distance from the table's edge. This is called the baseline. If you want your table to look extra festive, fold a napkin and place it in the center of the plate.
3. The fork line
For the main course, place the menu knife to the right of the plate on the baseline and the menu fork to the left of the plate on the baseline. The edge of the menu knife points to the left. Place the fish knife to the right of the menu knife on the baseline. Place the fish fork to the left of the menu fork so that the tines are in line with the hole of the fish fork. If you have chosen a different middle course, use a knife and a fork accordingly.
4. Cutlery for appetizer and salad
If a salad is served as an appetizer, a menu knife and fork are placed at the same height as the main course cutlery. If a soup is served as an appetizer, a spoon is placed next to the fish knife at the same height. In addition, a bread plate is placed to the left of the place setting. You set the plate so that the top edge is level with the tines of the fish fork. A small knife is placed on the plate, and the cutting edge is aligned to the left.
5. Lay cutlery for dessert
The dessert cutlery lies above the plate, parallel to the table's edge. The dessert spoon is on top and points to the left, and the dessert fork is below the spoon and points to the right. This forms the headline.
6. The directional glass line
Now we start positioning the glasses. The directional glass is selected to match the main course, placed over the main course knife and on a level with the dessert cutlery.
7. Correctly position glasses
A second wine glass and a water glass can be placed diagonally to the right of the guide glass. However, ensure that the glasses are on a diagonal glass line.
You can let your creativity run wild with the decoration, but it should correspond to the occasion. You should also ensure the decoration does not impair the other person's view.
EXCEPTIONS: CUTLERY FOR SPAGHETTI DISHES AND FOR LEFT-HANDED PEOPLE
In a spaghetti dish, the spoon can be placed on the left and the fork on the right of the plate. Spaghetti is rolled up in the spoon and eaten with the fork in the right hand.
Do you have left-handed people among your guests? It's not necessarily advisable to change the arrangement specifically for left-handed people, and that's something your guest can best decide for themselves from years of experience. However, when arranging the table, reserve a place for your guest with more freedom to the left so the setting will create harmony between right- and left-handed people at the table.
