Savvy Sophistication

Are You Prepared for Proper Dining?

Proper dining isn’t important until you need to use it. I notice that the only time it’s ever necessary is at weddings, nice steakhouses, cruises, or traveling abroad to other countries. It’s important to be ready and prepared in case you encounter a Disney princess like moment, and need be properly polished. Sophisticated living is for everyone, and everyone can learn dining etiquette.

Why Does Fork Selection Matter?

The Role of Forks

Obviously we need forks, but why so many? When fine dining and having multiple courses having different utensils is very necessary. It keeps our palates ready for the next dish, and we can eat ice cream our soup with a fork. Plus who wants to stir our dessert cappuccino with a butter knife? Dining with different utensils actually becomes more efficient to keep moving on to the next dish. Dessert spoons are often smaller than soups used for a bisque to make dining easier. Plus who wants to taste salad dressing on their perfectly aged wagyu steak? Every dinner utensil has a purpose and a proper placement.

Types of Forks

Now there are two types of dining placement with fine dining. There is informal and formal dining settings. Informal will still have the outside salad fork and inside main course or dinner fork. Today most places opt for a dessert for on the very inside. However, some informal options include a dessert spoon. With more formal dining there will be a salad fork, fish fork, and dinner fork. Followed on the right side starting from the outside in the soup spoon, salad knife, fish knife, dinner knife. Directly placed above will be a dessert spoon and fork. Set to the too left will be your bread plate and butter knife. The stemware for this has always been more extensive. For informal it’s usually a water glass and if selected a wine glass. For a formal table there will be at the top a water glass, and next to it will be a red wine glass. Below it will have on the left a white wine glass, and on the right a champagne glass. The dinner napkin is always placed on your plate in front of you, and after sitting down it is customary to put it in your lap. Seems like a lot, and trust me I know!

Placement at the Table

Here is the correct placement of forks in accordance of a formal dining table. I’m a visual learner and this has helped me in the past as well.

Deciphering Fork Selection

Start from the outside

An easy tip is that you always work your way in from the outside with each course. Just remember the rule of using forks from the outermost to the innermost. It is sure to make your fine dining an easier and more enjoyable experience.

Course Specific Forks

The salad fork is almost always shorter than the rest. The fish and meat fork are generally the same. It’s just best to switch them after each course to avoid combining flavors to truly enjoy the taste of each course. Dessert forks are used for cake or typical desserts. Spoons are used for ice cream, or coffee. Butter knife’s are always for bread and butter only. Each knife working from the outside in is the same as the forks. Do cut your salad with a knife to keep etiquette well mannered while enjoying your meal. 

Handling Other Basic Dining Manners

Managing the Etiquette 

As my southern mama would say “sit like a lady”, and “where you raised in a barn?”. It’s important to sit properly in a chair with good posture. Do not slouch or lean on the table while at the dinner table. Remember to take small bites, chew slowly and quietly, and do so with your mouth closed. Proper conversation at the dinner table is important as well. Keep conversations light and friendly. Well mannered dinner guests are the best dinner guests. When interacting with caterers, waiters, or other patrons remember to be polite. Using the word thank you and answering respectfully to wait staff never goes out of style. 

Proper Dinner Attire

Summarize Let’s talk about my favorite topic which is wardrobe. When attending a dinner party or informal dinner it’s important to ask the host what the dress code is and if there is a theme. Typically for these types of events wearing something dressy casual, or business casual is the way to go. When dressing properly for a formal dinner or important event such as anniversaries or weddings it is still recommended to ask the dress code if you are unsure. For formal dining semi formal is the way to go. Remember it is important to never show up to a special occasion or dinner party empty handed. Always bring a gift for the host or guest of honor. It can be small, because it is the thought that counts.

Putting it All Together

Wow! At this point you are already a formal dining extraordinaire. We know what fork is proper in what settings. We know that dinner manners include good conversation, and proper attire add to our etiquette knowledge. Host or hostess gifts never go out of style. We are polished and polite to wait staff at all times. One last tip for dining etiquette that if it is a special occasion remember to thank the host for the invite. It’s not just important to know these things, it’s a lifestyle!

Conclusion

Practicing and embracing proper dining etiquette adds a touch of sophistication to our everyday normal lives. It keeps etiquette at the forefront, and makes manners become a part of modernized society.

#staysavvy

Warmest regards,

Corey