Types of Dining Fine Dining

Home , Cutlery, Table manners

TABLE ETIQUETTE Whether or not we agree with it, people will pass judgment on how you conduct yourself at the dinner table. If you are slurping your soup or licking your knife at a business lunch, you may find yourself out of a job! More importantly, you want to feel really comfortable and be able to enjoy yourself at a function such as a wedding or your school formal, instead of worrying about whether you have picked up the wrong fork.

Good table manners start at home – try to eat at the dinner table regularly and take this time to find out a bit more about the people around you. Ask how your Mum or Dad’s day was – they’ll really appreciate it and you just might find out something new and interesting.

Types of Dining SET MENU: This is when the menu has already been decided so the cutlery will already be laid out in front of you. This is common for large functions such as weddings, formals, awards nights, etc. While the menu has already been decided, you will usually have a couple of options and these will be alternatively placed down around the table – E.g. you may be served chicken and your neighbour will be served fish and this pattern will continue around the table. It is imperative that you notify the restaurant, functions venue or host prior to the night if you have any special dietary requirements.

TABLE D’HOTE: Literally this means ‘host’s table’ in French and indicates a menu where multiple courses are offered at a fixed price. E.g. 5 courses for $69.95.

A LA CARTE: This is when you simply order off the menu. Most restaurants and cafes would be considered a la carte. The appropriate cutlery would be set after you have placed your order.

BUFFET: This is when you pay a set price for ‘all you can eat.’ A variety of food is usually on display and you get up from your table and help yourself to as many courses as you wish. There is no need to overload your plate as you can go back up for more if you wish. You will normally have to pick up your own cutlery as well.

HORS D’OEUVRES: Also known as appetisers or finger food, hors d’oeuvres are usually served while standing at functions or parties. Make sure you take a napkin and find a bin to discard anything you don’t eat (rather than putting a toothpick or any other scraps back on the tray).

TAPAS: A tapas menu will offer a variety of small dishes for you to select and share amongst your table.

Fine Dining • The first thing that will happen once your waiter has shown you to your table in a fine dining restaurant, is they will pull out your chair for you. Stand in front of the chair and once you feel the chair touching the back of your knees, start to sit and pull the chair in yourself. • Once seated, the waiter will stand to your right and place the napkin on your lap. • Always wait for your host or hostess to lift his/her fork before you start eating.

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Cutlery & Crockery • With your cutlery, always work from the outside – in. • Your forks are usually on the left and your knives and spoons on the right. One exception is when pasta is served – the fork will be on the right and a spoon on your left. • Your glass will be above the main knife. • Your bread plate will always be on the LEFT of your main plate. • The resting positions of your cutlery communicate to the service staff whether you are still eating or have finished your meal. Place your knife and fork together when you are finished your meal.

Manners • Always wait until everyone has their meal before you begin to eat. • Only take small bite-sized pieces. • Always bring your food to your mouth, not your mouth to your food. If you sitting up straight with your napkin in your lap, then any food that may fall should fall straight in to the napkin. • If you cannot eat something, bring your napkin up to your mouth and discreetly spit it in to your napkin. Ask the wait staff for a new napkin – politely of course – no whistling or clicking your fingers at them! • When eating soup, always scoop away from yourself and when you get to the bottom, tip the bowl slightly away from you to scoop up the last bit. Use your spoon to pour the soup in to your mouth rather than slurp it off the spoon. If the soup is hot, start at the outer edges of the soup as the middle will always be the hottest part. • Always excuse yourself if you need to leave the table mid-meal. Place your napkin on the back or arm of the chair and then back in your lap when you sit back down. • Don’t speak with your mouth full. If you have nearly finished chewing, place your hand in front of your mouth as you speak. No one wants to see what’s going on in there! • If you are using your fingers to eat foods such as chips or pizza, wipe your fingers on your napkin instead of licking your fingers. • Keep your handbag, mobile phone, etc off the table. Place it on the floor under your chair or somewhere else out of the way. • Keep your elbows off the table. You can relax a bit more once everything has been cleared off the table. • Do not reach across the table or across someone to reach for something; ask for it to be passed to you. • Do not do any grooming at the table. Excuse yourself and go to the bathroom if you need to touch up make up, comb your hair, etc. • If you are someone who talks with big hand gestures, make sure you put your cutlery down before you start waving your hands around.