desserts and sweets etiquette

eating etiquette (how to eat...)

Sometimes general table manners rules do not address the challenges presented by certain hard-to-eat or unique foods. This section provides table manners instruction for:

Visit our table manners main page for more general dining etiquette rules.

How do you rest your utensils while eating?

Our resting utensils etiquette section covers the rules (american and continental) for resting your utensils when taking a break from eating, when you are finished eating, and when you are passing food [...]

Oyster Etiqette

Proper technique for eating oysters.

Caviar Etiquette

Dining etiquette for eating caviar.

Hard to Eat Foods

Proper etiquette for eating hear to eat foods.

Menu Planning Guide

Great Menu Planning Guide! Put together the perfect four to seven course menu with these great tips! Learn the five rules for a balanced menu, plus much more.

Wine Tasting Etiquette

Once it is poured into the proper glass, it’s time to evaluate and enjoy the wine. Evaluating wine involves four basic steps – looking, swirling, smelling, and tasting.

Step #1 – Look. Holding the wine glass up against a white background, such as a napkin or table cloth, to evaluate its color and clarity. Red wines should range in color from deep purple to brick red. White wines should range in color from lemon gold to golden amber.
Step #2 – Swirl. Swirl the wine in your glass to aerate it.
Step #3 – Smell. Put your nose in the glass and take a deep breath. Older wines should have subtler aromas than younger ones.
Step #4 – Taste. To taste the wine, fill your mouth about ½ full and subtly swish the wine around.

Helpful hints for setting the perfect table!

Visit our table setting section for information on:

Formal table settings.

Informal table settings.

Dining Etiquette