The French way of table setting | Voilah! (2024)

FAQs

What is the French way of setting a table? ›

Knives are to be placed on the right side of the plate together with the soup spoon if any. Forks are to be placed on the left side of the plate while the cheese knife and dessert spoon go on top of the plate. The knife blade should be turned inside/towards the plate and fork teeth facing down.

When it comes to cutlery, the rules for a French table are relatively simple. They are placed on either side of each plate, with the fork on the left (tines towards the table), the knife on the right (edge of the blade towards the plate) and the soup spoon to the right of the knife (curved part towards the sky).

At the French table, you should keep your hands on the table, on each side of the plate, in a relaxed manner. Palms may be down, or your hands can be on the side, but both hands should be on the table, never under the table on your lap.

In the more formal style of French service, a server presents a dish of food individually to each guest and the guest helps themselves onto their plate. Sometimes the food will be pre-cooked in the kitchen and finished off at the table in front of the guests.

The most important guest will be seated immediately to the right of the primary host, the next most important person to the left. If you are a couple married for less than one year you may be sat next to each other, if you are married for more than one year you will be sat apart.

In France, you absolutely have to put your hands and forearms (never the elbows though!) on the table (you never know what could happen under the table!). Britons usually sit with one hand on the table and the other on their knees (more comfortable).

The French table setting involves placing the fork tines pointing down on the table on the left hand side of the plate. This was done to show the coat of arms that was traditionally on that side contrary to Germany or the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom, the fork tines face upward while sitting on the table.

1:00:00 In France most people hold their fork with the left hand, cut with the right hand and eat with the left hand. In America most people in formal situations cut with their dominant hand, then put down the knife, then switch the side of utensils and eat with their fork in their dominant hand.

Americans tend to eat with their dominant hand (usually, but not always, the right hand), and keep the left hand resting in the lap. In France, both hands are kept visible, even if one hand isn't doing anything in particular. Americans tend to be louder at the table than French people.

Do not cut salad with a knife and fork. Fold the lettuce on to your fork. Peel and slice fruit before eating it. You can serve yourself water but wait for wine to be poured for you.

What is considered bad manners in France? ›

Elbows on the table is considered bad manners in France, just as in America. However, the French keep both hands on the table, rather than in the lap. Women do not pour wine for themselves; the man sitting next to them does. Sit up straight, chew quietly and don't laugh or speak too loudly.

How to serve food in a fine dining restaurant. Do you serve from the left or right? The general rule is to serve from a guest's left using your left hand. You or your servers never want to reach across a guest to reach the table, and it's best practice to take the plate from the closest point.

A French dinner traditionally follows this order: apéritif, entrée (starter), plat de résistance (main course), fromage (cheese), dessert, café, and finally digestif—all of which will be covered later in this piece!

Above the plate place the cheese knife, handle to the right and blade downwards, next the dessert fork, handle towards the left and dessert spoon at the top, handle to the right. On either side of the plate place the main course silverware nearest, then the fish course, finally the appetiser or soup spoon.

A five course meal in Europe usually consists of soup, fish course, main course, salad, and dessert. Starting from left to right, you would have the fish fork, dinner fork, salad fork, plate with napkin (and possibly name card), salad knife, dinner knife, fish knife and soup spoon.

Many establishments in France including some of the finest restaurants in the country offer a set menu. This is known as a le menu du jour or la formule.