Tableware: varieties and nuances of choice

Most people like to arrange holidays at home - this makes it possible to get together with loved ones, prepare a menu, and make table setting to your liking. However, many are mistaken in thinking that the design of the table is a fairly simple and quick matter, limited only to the correct layout of forks, spoons, napkins and arranging dishes. There are many subtleties of the choice of serving utensils, which we will discuss in the article.

The design of the holiday table is always of high importance. This is a kind of art, which is reflected not only in creating an aesthetically beautiful composition of dishes. Serving involves following some specific conventions. These include meal times: the breakfast table will be different from the festive evening. In addition, important factors are the selection of a certain type of tablecloth, the right choice of glasses and plates, and table decor.

Before you start table setting, you need to know the names of all the cutlery. The components of the services differ in appearance and purpose. For this reason, each element is assigned a strictly defined place on the festive table. To do this, the serving is carried out in a special sequence that must be observed.

There are a huge number of different variations of serving dishes: some include up to 35 types of plates. Most of them are used infrequently (for example, at official receptions). At the same time, there are several main types of cutlery that are universally used for beautiful table decoration. It:

• soup plate;
• appetizers intended for salads;
• patty plate;
• vase, acting as a candy cane;
• a scrambler or shallow dish with partitions inside (connects different snacks on a plate).

In addition, they use a whatnot to serve fruit. This dish consists of several bases fixed on a common leg; at the very top of the multi-tiered structure there is a special ring that allows you to transfer this plate. In addition to the shelves, a spinning tray is used, which allows you to serve snacks or pizza. Thanks to several bases, interconnected by metal fasteners, we get a rotating dish that will look great on an everyday and festive table.

The development of modern technology has affected a wide range of dishes. Today, services differ not only in the design and number of appliances, but also in the materials from which the serving items are made. The most common materials are glass and ceramics. Consider each type in detail.

Glassware has been used since ancient times. She does not lose her popularity, because she has many advantages. This is a presentable appearance that emphasizes the stylish design of the table, an exceptional sense of taste, the prosperity of the owners of the house.

This is especially true of Bohemian glass, which has a sophisticated design. On the other hand, with all the beauty of glassware, you must understand that it is fragile and breaks easily.

Services made of ceramics can compete with devices made of glass. The main advantage of ceramic ware is that it is quite durable, resistant to mechanical, thermal and chemical influences. This is especially true for porcelain ware, which is thin, although made of a fairly dense material. Another positive characteristic is the fact that ceramic sets, for all their strength, are also beautiful.

There are two categories of utensils made from ceramics: faience and porcelain. The first is a type of ceramic, which is fired once during the production process. Earthenware cutlery are of high quality and are sold at a nice price that will not harm the family budget. Porcelain is more expensive, in terms of its characteristics, it is much more functional due to its high resistance to damage.

Manufacturers achieve such strength due to the fact that they subject the material to double firing. Due to the excellent performance and interesting design, porcelain services perfectly combine price and quality parameters.

A large assortment of cutlery only complicates the process of their selection, since there are a variety of dishes (from large round dishes to the smallest square ones). In this regard, many housewives wonder what the plates of various sizes are for. Oval dishes of small sizes (up to 20 cm) are intended for serving cold appetizers, which are an integral part of any holiday feast.

Herring often have a similar shape, but differ in their parameters: their diameter varies from 25 to 30 centimeters.

Oversized dishes (from 20-24 cm) are used to serve various types of dishes on the table (for example, hot dishes), while small plates are designed for each guest individually. Of great importance when serving are the so-called pie plates having a diameter of 150-175 mm, they are served bread, croutons, rolls and pies, as well as butter.

Despite the fact that today you can buy dishes and tableware of various designs, you must adhere to the following rule: all serving items (from dishes to napkins) must be designed in the same style and meet the theme of the event.

If you want to use a classic-style service, you should choose napkins (paper, fabric) with an intricate pattern. They need to be folded figuratively and fixed with special rings that will be sustained in a common style. Often they are already made in ornate form or decorated with intricate ornaments.

The serving, made in a modern style, implies great freedom in the choice of colors and materials, but the main rule remains unchanged: all devices must be combined with each other.

If there is a large assortment of dishes in the modern market, it is difficult to choose the most versatile dishes that will be involved in most feasts. Based on this, the most optimal option can be considered the acquisition of a service, which includes several types of dishes. For example, they feature flat plates or spinning trays for snacks.

The sets have broth bowls for soups, mashed potatoes or broths. In addition to the serving dishes listed above, there are dessert vases, fruit shelves, pepper shakers and salt shakers. In addition to the fact that the service is more functional than several plates of various types, it helps to avoid problems with the selection of dishes in a single color, because in it all dishes are made in the same style.

In order to create coziness and a pleasant atmosphere, but at the same time not to be recognized as a person unfamiliar with table etiquette it is necessary to carry out table setting in accordance with a certain sequence.

• First you need to spread a clean ironed tablecloth on the surface of the table.
• It must be spread out so that it looks neat and evenly distributed over the entire area of ​​the table.
• From all edges of the table, the fabric should hang to the same length.
• Next, you can begin to arrange the plates: they are placed next to each chair. This matches the guest’s location.
• Plates should be from the edge of the table at a distance of a couple of centimeters.
• Not far from the snack plates, there is a baking dish for serving bread, rolls and toast.

In addition to plates, glasses must be present on the table. Their quantity depends on what drinks are planned to be served and in what quantity. If you plan to drink mineral water or juice, you need to use wine glasses, which are placed on the right in front of the snack plates at a distance of 2 cm. To the right will be glasses for champagne and glasses for alcoholic beverages.

There are many dishes of various types for table setting. The use of an object is determined by the presence of certain dishes in the menu. We named the most basic types of plates and wine glasses, which are used in the most frequent variations of table decorations. In addition to the above devices, hosts often resort to using auxiliary service items.

When the arrangement of the dishes is completed, you can proceed to the layout of napkins. They are placed not only near snack plates, but also put on the table in a special holder (in case guests need extra napkins).One of the final steps is table decor with candles, flower vases or small figurines related to the feast. After decorating the table with decorative objects, we serve bread and cold snacks.

Each person will be able to create a serving to his taste, regardless of what utensils he uses: ceramic, glass or stainless steel. Consider the most interesting techniques for decorating the table.

• Classic always remains relevant in the design of the table and its serving: it uses dishes of neutral colors with patterns made in gold or silver. They will be in harmony with the color of the cutlery: this will create a single image on the festive table.

• You can use dishes of unusual bright colors. Saturated colors, sharply contrasting with a tablecloth or main dishes, are a fashionable design trend, which has recently become more and more popular.
• The unusual texture of the dishes can also be attributed to this: some plates may have a three-dimensional pattern and ornament. They will add a highlight to the festive table.

See how to properly set up a table in the next video.