A Guide to Table Setting

It’s no secret that we love nothing more than a get-together here at Portmeirion, whether it be for a special occasion or just everyday mealtimes. So it’s only necessary that we know a thing or two about setting a table too. However, between knowing where to place cutlery, which plate to put where, and how many glasses to set out, we know the art of table setting can be quite intimidating.

Although setting a table may seem complicated at first, once you know how it’s an important skill that will not only make you a great host but a wonderful guest too. From breakfast with the family to inspiration for a formal dinner, explore our how-to guide and learn how to set a table for every type of occasion.

Although setting the table for breakfast may not be feasible every day, for relaxed weekend mornings or for entertaining family and friends, it’s the perfect time to give the most important meal of the day the setting it deserves.

Breakfast doesn’t have to be a formal occasion if that isn’t your style, but there are some key pieces you need to have to ensure a successful breakfast setting. Starting with the crockery, you will need mugs or teacups and saucers for hot drinks, a glass for juice, a side plate or tea plate for toast, and a bowl for cereal or fruit salad. If you’re serving up a hot breakfast, such as a full English, dinner plates will also come in handy. If you’re serving a dish to share a serving platter for the centre of the table is ideal.

When it comes to cutlery, each person should have a fork, knife, and two spoons – a teaspoon for stirring hot drinks and a tablespoon for eating cereal. You will also want to make butter knives and serving spoons available depending on the breakfast you’re serving.

To set each place setting for breakfast:

·       Place the dinner plate at the centre, with the cereal bowl on top
·       Place the fork to the left of the plate and the knife and tablespoon to the right
·       The side plate sits to the left of the main plate
·       Set the teacup and saucer or mug at the top right of the plate and the drinking glass to the left

If, like us, you enjoy adding extra details to your tablescapes, then a folded napkin under each fork is a nice touch. You may also want to brew a pot of tea and have milk and sugar available to dip in to.

For everyday dinner with the family, a simple table set-up is perfect for enjoying your evening meal around the dining table while catching up on each other’s day.

Additional serving pieces, such as gravy boats, can be placed in the centre of the table, along with salt, pepper, and other condiments required.

An informal gathering of friends and family can take on many forms. Maybe each of your guests is bringing a dish to share, and a buffet-style layout for people to help themselves to as they mingle is the relaxed setting you prefer. If this is the case, lots of serving dishes, bowls of different sizes, and serving spoons are key.

You can also create an informal setting while guests are seated. Serve food out in platters and roasting dishes to the centre of the table for people to share - this instantly creates a relaxed atmosphere as guests casually dip into food while they chat. To set the table for an informal gathering such as this, you will need:

·       Placemats
·       Dinner plates
·       Salad plates, if required
·       Side plates
·       A dinner knife and fork
·       A salad fork, if required
·       Tumblers or highball glasses
·       Wine glasses
·       Napkins

Each setting will require a dinner plate placed on top of the placemat and if you’re serving salad, a salad plate placed on top. Place the dinner fork to the left of the plate and, if needed, the salad fork to the left. The dinner knife is placed to the right of the plate, with the tumbler or highball glass above, and the wine glass to the right of the tumbler. To finish, a napkin can be folded underneath the fork or placed on top of the plates.

When it comes to formal dining and entertaining your guests in style there’s nothing quite like a formal dinner setting to impress. Although formal dining requires a little more effort in setting the table, and a few more etiquette rules to follow, believe us when we say it’s totally worth the few extra steps for an evening of sophisticated dining.

A formal event or evening meal will often mean there are several courses on the menu. This requires additional cutlery and crockery to ensure your guests have everything they need to enjoy their meal throughout the evening.

If hosting a formal gathering, especially of four or more people, we recommend setting your table in advance. Adding special touches, such as place cards, is also recommended to add something extra your guests will remember.

The type and amount of cutlery you need for your setting all depends on the food and the number of courses you are serving. However, there are a couple of rules to remember when laying cutlery for a meal.

The first rule is that cutlery is placed in the order of use, starting from the outside left and right, working inwards towards the plate with each course. So, the course you begin with will determine the cutlery that sits on the very outside.

The second rule to remember is that forks are always placed to the left of the plate and knives to the right, with their blade edge facing inwards. Soup spoons are always placed to the right of the knives, while dessert spoons and forks are placed above the plate; fork prongs facing the right and the spoon bowl facing the left.

So now you know how to set a table, why not put your newly discovered tips to the test? We’ve got a stylish twist to a spooky gathering perfect for Halloween that you won’t be able to resist, as well as tips on how to create a tablescape for all sorts of occasions.