The Art of Formal Table Setting Made Simple Student Textbook McDaniel Publishing 1st Edition Introduction to Table Setting .............................4 Identification ......................................................13 Setting the Table ................................................22 References .........................................................29 An Introduction The Art of Formal Table Setting Made Simple text is created for use with the student booklet The Art of Formal Table Setting Made Simple. The intention of this text is to help you understand the various aspects of formal table setting. Activities designed to discuss the necessity of a formal table setting as well as identify key components, such as china, flatware, and glassware are included in this booklet. Additionally, you will find activities that explore and reinforce table etiquette. This booklet will reinforce your learning so that you may apply it in unlimited formal table setting arrangements. The activities in this text are divided into chapters that correspond with the chapters in the book. When possible you should try to complete the activities in this booklet without referring to the text. If you are unsuccessful at completing any activity in this booklet, you should reference the text. At that time, you can also check your previous answers with the information in the text. You will discover that this booklet contains a variety of activities. Some of the activities in this booklet will include activities, such as true/false, multiple choice, matching, labeling, and crossword puzzles that have answers with only one correct choice. Other activities that require an opinion or ask for ideas cannot be judged on just one correct answer. These activities are designed to encourage your creativity and thought and help you apply what you have learned in the text. With you in mind, this booklet was created to stimulate your interest and understanding of the text. The more effort you place in completing these activities, the more knowledge you will gain from them. Chapter 1 Introduction to Table Setting CHAPTER DETAILS ‣Industries that use formal table settings ‣Table setting examples ‣Etiquette at the table ‣Choosing the right linen CHAPTER OBJECTIVES After completing this chapter, you should be able to: ‣ Identify people or industries who use formal table settings. ‣ Distinguish a formal table setting from an informal table setting. ‣ Identify breakfast, lunch, dinner, European, formal, and brunch table settings. Terms to Know Career Coach Place Setting Visual Weight Patterns Etiquette Coach Tableware Color Formal Table Dominance Texture Setting Scenario 1: Sarah’s Interview Dillema Jill stopped by her friend Sarah’s house on her way home from her last final of the day. “I sure do hope Sarah is hungry because all of this testing today has made me famished!” Jill rang Sarah’s doorbell. “Who is it?” Jill could hear Sarah call as she walked to the door. As soon as Sarah opened the door, Jill could see that something was wrong by the look on her face. Jill frowned as she said, “Sarah, is everything okay? You look so sad!” Sarah sighed and answered, “I am all frazzled about this job interview I have tomorrow! My advisor called me and informed me the Williams & Williams architect firm is willing to hire new, novice architects, and she recommended me for an interview.” “Wow! That is so awesome. You should be ecstatic, not all depressed!” Sarah shook her head, “I am very happy about the opportunity, but I am very nervous about the interview process. We are going to conduct the interview at Posh. That is a 5 star restaurant. I don’t know my salad fork from a cake fork! I have always heard that what you do or do not do at a lunch interview can mean either getting the job or not.” Jill smiled. “Sarah, you are in luck! I took a one day seminar on dining etiquette this summer for that very reason! I was actually on my way here to see if you wanted to grab something to eat with me. Maybe I can show you some things I learned at the seminar that might help you.” Sarah reached out and hugged Jill. “Would you? That would be wonderful!” Sarah grabbed her jacket and her purse, and the two friends hurried out the door. ‣ What skill does Sarah lack? How does Sarah hope to correct this? ‣ How important is this skill to Sarah “landing” her dream job? Today’s New Etiquette Emily Post (1872-1960), America’s best known author of etiquette rules, published her first book Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home in 1922. Since its first publishing, it has been revised throughout the years to accommodate the changing times. It is currently in its 18th edition. An etiquette coach is one career path created based upon this very work. The etiquette coach guides students through the proper rules governing acceptable behavior of a particular society. Even though the times have changed, many of her rules for etiquette have not. Numerous pages of her books are dedicated to dining, and even more specifically to setting a formal table and creating a special dining experience for all of the participants. Sarah in the above scenario realizes that understanding how to maneuver a formal setting is also important to impressing a potential new boss during an interview in a formal dining atmosphere. Sarah knows how she conducts herself in this situation has enormous impact on her job opportunity, and she wants to make a great impression. Many colleges have now created career coach positions to help people market themselves effectively when searching for a job. What is a Formal Table Setting? A place setting is the way in which a table’s glassware, tableware, and flatware are placed on the table for eating and serving. Formal table settings are actually more common than most people think. Most people consider any place setting at a restaurant as a formal setting, but that is not always the case. While most restaurants do employ a uniform display of tableware, it does not necessarily mean it is formal. So what is a formal table setting? • The meal must have at least three courses being served. • The layout of tableware reflects an accepted standard. • The setting can be anywhere from at home for dinner or holiday parties to a fine-dining restaurant, or even a wedding reception. Who Uses Formal Table Settings? There really is no set group of people who are regarded as using the premier users of a formal table setting; however, it is more commonly used in upscale restaurants. Formal settings are used by people who want to create a special, memorable atmosphere. In general, the meal is not only about the food served, but about the conversation and bonding that occurs during the various courses served. Formal settings are seen at holiday meals, wedding receptions, and political dinners to name a few dining situations. Those employed in the high end hotel and resort industry oftentimes offer an upscale dining environment for its guests. Most formerly trained chefs understand the layout of various table settings. Most culinary programs include this in its program of study. Even family and consumer science teachers are expected to to teach middle and high students how to create a table setting. In conjunction with a formal place setting is knowing how to employ table etiquette rules. These rules will be examined further in Chapter 4. How Many Table Settings Are There? The table setting varies depending on where a person is in the world, and it is also determined by the time of day the meal is served. Carefully note the differences in following table settings in the picture to the left. There are six table setting layouts that can be altered or adjusted as needed. The most formal of table settings is very symmetrical and exact. The one thing that always remains consistent is the placement of the tableware. Tableware includes all of the setting pieces from which a person eats or drinks food. A host who is serving a brunch may not serve coffee. In this case, the coffee tableware will be removed, but the other glassware will remain in its designated place above the knife and spoon on the right side of plate. Components of the various settings are detailed below. Breakfast Setting (approximately 24 inches of space needed): The plate is placed in the center, bread and butter plate is placed at the top left of plate, cereal bowl may be placed as needed at the top of the plate, fork is placed the direct left of plate, a knife and cereal spoon is placed the direct right of plate with the cutting edge of knife facing the plate, a napkin is folded to the left of fork, a drinking glass is placed directly above the spoon and knife, and a coffee/tea cup and saucer is placed to the right of the drinking glass. Lunch Setting (approximately 24 inches of space needed): The plate is placed in the center, bread and butter plate is placed at the top left of plate (the butter knife is omitted unless it is a formal lunch), soup bowl or salad plate may be placed on top of the luncheon plate, a salad fork or soup spoon may be placed on the left side of the lunch fork on the left side of plate, the luncheon knife is placed on the right side of the plate, a drinking glass for water or a drinking glass for another beverage is placed above the knife. Dinner Setting (approximately 24 inches of space needed): The dinner setting is similar to the lunch setting, but it does allow for a few extra tableware pieces.