Table Top Rules- A French Traditional Table Setting

Creating an elegant table setting is not a matter of using designer pieces with vermail or other expensive finishes. It is achieved through meticulous attention to detail, by using pristine, impeccably cleaned and shined service and linen, and by placing each piece properly, in the order in which it is used. Every item has a function, and a piece that is not to be used should not be part of the setting.

The forks are placed to the left of the plate. The dinner fork goes closest to the plate, to its left goes the fish fork (if there is to be a fish course) and to the left of that, the salad fork. But if the fish will be served before the salad, then put the fish fork furthest to the left.

To the right of the plate, lay the dinner knife, blade facing the plate rather than the guest to the right. If soup is being served, the soupspoon goes to the right of the knife.