Table Setting Challenge

What: This exhibit allows YOU to express originality, plan a meal, and use your entertaining skills! You will be displaying a setting with the following:  A table covering  Dinnerware  Stemware or glasses  Flatware  A centerpiece  A menu of the food to be served (don’t bring the food!)  You must furnish your OWN table (unless it is a picnic or other creative display without a table)  The setting will have two place settings

Table settings can be put in either the formal or casual category.  Formal themed place settings would include candles, more than three pieces of flatware, china, tablecloth and/or mats and cloth napkins. Formal themes would be for “dress-up occasions.”  Casual themed place settings could be planned for indoors or outdoors and use any type of cover and table service.

Who: Contest open to all 4-H’ers. Entries may be made as an individual or as a team of two. They will be judged within the following categories: Juniors (4th-6th graders), Intermediates (7th-8th graders), and Seniors (9th-12th graders). Clover Kids are also welcome to participate!

When and Where: 4-H Event Day with is typically in June—refer to your 4-H newsletters for more details

Set-up and contest judging  You MUST bring a card table for your display (unless you have a picnic theme that would involve a blanket on the floor). Please make sure your card table is sturdy!  During judging, you will PRESENT your table to the judge. You should serve as a host and the judge is your guest. Be sure to extend a welcome to the judge and share your theme, choice of menu, food preparation and food handling for your meal.  Following your presentation, be prepared to answer any questions your guest may have for you! Senior members should be able to describe the ingredients and preparation of items as well as food safety.  As a participant, you should wear clothing that will match the theme/occasion of the table setting. How to create your table setting Choose a Theme What is the occasion? A family dinner, holiday or lunch with friends? Select a theme to fit the occasion.

Choose Table Setting Items This includes any items to set a table: a tablecloth, placemats, dinnerware, flatware and a centerpiece. Chose table settings that carry out the theme. Paper plates and plastic ware may be used for some settings, but not a formal setting. Be sure the flatware and dishware are safe to eat from— no glitter covered plates!

Choose a Table Covering This is the background for the food and table items. Choose a covering which is appropriate for the occasion and the other table setting items. You may blend or match colors and textures in the dishes, or use something different for contrast.

Use Proper Place Setting Allow at least 20 inches for each person’s dishes. This is called a cover and each cover should be exactly the same. A cover contains the dinnerware and flatware for the meal being served.  Put the plate, china, glass, etc. in the center of the cover about one inch from the edge of the table.  Place the knife and spoon on the right side and the forks on the left. Each should be about one inch from the plate and one inch from the edge of the table. Turn the cutting edge of the knife towards the plate. If there is more than one piece in each cover, such as a dinner fork and salad fork, place the one that will be used first outside of the other.  Napkins folded into oblongs are placed next to the forks with the fold to the left so it opens like a book. Decorative and creative folds are encouraged. Placement of the napkin may vary.  The beverage glass is placed one inch above the tip of the knife. If serving more than one beverage, place additional glass(es) to the right of the first glass in order served.  If tea or coffee is served, the cup is placed on the saucer and set to the right of the spoon. Have the handle of the cup pointing to the right.  Salad, bread, or any desert plates or bowls may be placed at the top of the forks.

When selecting your cover, include a dish for each course. Placement may vary according to how and when the food is served.

Chose a Centerpiece The centerpiece should coordinate with the table setting items and occasion. It should be visible to all and not obstruct anyone’s view. Please do not light your candles if used.

Chose a Menu When planning a menu, first decide a main dish then select vegetables, appetizer, soup or salad. Add a bread desert, and beverage. Note: Use of alcoholic beverages will disqualify table setting.

Chose Menu Display Your menu should be displayed with your table setting. You may decorate and prop the menu as you’d like.

Remember to do the following when creating your menu display: 1. List foods in the order in which they are served. Group food that will be served together. Use line spacing between items and double lines between courses. An example menu order would be: Appetizer, Main Dish, Starchy Vegetables, Other Vegetables, Salad, Bread, Desert, Beverage 2. Use capitals at the beginning of all words except a, an, and, or, for, wo, with or on. 3. When an item on the menu has a sauce, place the sauce name to the left of the main item on the menu. Example: Braised Pork Chops Applesauce 4. When a food is commonly prepared in more than one way, avoid confusion by describing the method of cooking, such as Roast Turkey or French Fried Potatoes. 5. List each food with the exception of butter, cream, sugar, or salad dressing unless is it something special such as Poppyseed Dressing. 6. Breakfast, Party or Picnics should include two or three food groups, while formal dinners should include all food groups. 7. List beverage(s) last 8. Plan the spacing arrangements on the menu so it appears symmetrical (balanced). 9. Be creative with names of menu items (excluding formal menus). Serving punch for 4th of July? “Patriotic Punch” sounds fun for a casual setting! Table Setting Evaluation Sheet Name: ______Grade (as of Sept.) ______

Club: ______Jr. Int. Sr.

Category: Formal Casual Ribbon: P B R W Points Criteria Comments Possible Score Table Setting | 50%

Is it correctly set? Is the table cloth or place mat clean, pressed and appropriate? 8 Is the centerpiece an appropriate color, height, occasion, and visible from all sides? 5

Are the dishes and silverware appropriate? 5

Total Effect

Coordination of originality and creativity 8

Menu | 20% Printed Menu

Does the menu use appropriate grammar? 5 Is the food in the correct order as served?

Food Choices

Do the food types compliment each other? Are foods suitable for the occasion and 5 theme? Nutritional value?

Participant | 30%

Is the 4-H’er well-groomed? Are they neatly and appropriately dressed? 5 Interview

How 4-H’er presents him or herself (eye contact, clarity, volume). Does the 4-H’er demonstrate an understanding of table 5 setting techniques and the menu?

4-H’ers conduct and sportsmanship 4 Total 50