Flatware
Table Setting Guide
Utensils manufactured from flattened sheets of metal cut and stamped into form; ware that lays flat on the table, such as a knife, fork, and spoon.
setting a table
placing flatware
Where to place the following items on the table:
- seven basic flatware table setting rules
- dinner knife
- fish knife and fish fork
- dessert fork and dessert spoon
- fruit knife and fruit fork
- butter spreader
- soup spoon
- teaspoon
- iced-beverage spoon
- seafood fork
- salad fork
- number of utensils laid on the table
forks
Descriptions of fork size, design, and intended use.
Five Typical Forks:
- Dinner Fork;
- Fish Fork;
- Luncheon Fork;
- Salad Fork or Dessert Fork; and
- Seafood Fork.
Specialized Forks:
- Lobster Fork;
- Fruit Fork;
- Ice-Cream Fork;
- Pastry Fork;
- Strawberry Fork;
- Snail Fork; and
- Oyster Fork.
knives
Descriptions of knife size, design, and intended use.
From large to small:
- Dinner Knife;
- Steak Knife;
- Luncheon Knife;
- Fish Knife;
- Dessert Knife;
- Fruit Knife; and
- Butter Spreader.
Serrated blades cut meat;
Dull blades cut soft food;
Pointed tips carve meat, pare fruit, and separate fish bones; and
Blunt ends spread food.
spoons
Descriptions of spoon size, design, and intended use.
In order of descending size.
- Iced-Beverage Spoon;
- Oval Soup Spoon;
- Dessert Spoon;
- Place Spoon;
- Cream Soup Spoon;
- Teaspoon;
- Five O'Clock Spoon;
- Ice-Cream Spoon;
- Citrus Spoon;
- Bouillon Spoon;
- After-Dinner Coffee Spoon;
- Chocolate Spoon;
- Demitasse Spoon; and
- Salt Spoon.
flatware buying guide
Purchase the perfect set of flatware following selection criteria in the following areas (among others):
- Flatware Metal
- Number of Sets of Flatware
- Number of Flatware in a Set
- Flatware Design Elements
- Flatware Size
- Criteria for Quality Flatware
- Matching Serving Utensils
- Shape of Knife Blades
- Flatware Cost
- Monogrammed Flatware