Proper Way to Serve at a Formal Dinner

Preparing the Dinner Table

• 1

  Place the tablecloth on the table. Tablecloths will set the mood of your formal dinner, so it is a required accessory. Make sure that the sides of the tablecloth are even.

• 2

  Space the desired number of chairs around the table. Make sure the chairs are aligned and spaced out evenly.

• 3

  Set the placemats. Center the placemat. The edge of the placemat needs to be half an inch or one inch away from the edge of the table. A placemat isn't a necessary item for a formal dinner, but it enhances the mood and overall style.

• 4

  Place the service plate in the center of the placemat. (During a formal dinner, the service plate is removed when the dinner plate for each course arrives.)

• 5

  Place a small bread and butter plate to the left of the service plate. The napkin should be neatly folded up and placed on the bread and butter plate. On top of the napkin, place the butter knife diagonally across the plate.

• 6

  Place the silverware in its proper places. On the left side of the plate, place the salad fork, followed by the dinner fork. The dinner fork is placed right next to the service plate.) On the right side of the plate, the dinner knife is placed to the immediate right of the service plate. The knife edge should face the service plate. Next to the dinner knife, you will place the salad knife, followed by the soup soon. Above the plate, place the dessert fork, followed by the dessert spoon. (The edge of the dessert fork should be right; the edge of the spoon should face left.

• 7

  Set the glass on the right side, above the two forks and spoon.

Serving the Food

• 8

  Remove the service plate from the right side.

• 9

  Serve the dishes of food to the guest's left side.

• 10

  Fill the glasses with water, wine, and other beverages from the right side.