Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The Table and Appointment
The Table and Appointment
I - The Table
The size and shape of tables depend entirely on the availability of space
and the kind of service employed. Normally, three types of tables are used: the
round, the square and the rectangular.
II - Table Linen
Your dining table was most likely a major home design as well as
monetary investment. It would be great to protect it and prolong its life for as
long as possible. That’s where table linens come in. Table linen includes table
cloths, placemat, table runner and table napkins. They are called table linen
because in old times they were mostly made from linen fabrics which are
durable. Nowadays table linen can be made from both natural and synthetic
fabrics.
a. Table Cloths
Tablecloths are the foundation of your table decorations. For formal
meal, or perhaps to
conceal an unsightly
dining table, a full
tablecloth is a smart
solution. For a simpler
and more minimal
setting, or to highlight
a beautiful dining
table underneath, only
a table runner may be
necessary. These are
made with different
fabrics and in different colors. Usually, patterned or colored table cloths
are used for casual dining whilst white and pastel plain clothes are
used for more formal occasions.
The size of a tablecloth
is determined by the size of
the table on which it would
be put. Tablecloths should
hang down the side of the
table up to at least 30 cm.
For very formal and buffet
tables, the cloth should
hang almost to the ground.
Tablecloths should be well
ironed and used without
creases.
b. Placemats
Placemats and napkins are the next layer of table setting. If your
tablecloth is more muted and subtle, or if you skipped out on using one
all together, consider being bold and having more fun with the placemat
and napkin selections ---- perhaps a colorful graphic print or unusual
material selection. They usually measure about 28-43 cm. They came in
various shapes e.g. rectangular, oval, round etc. The material used
includes linen, lace, plastic, jute, cork etc.
Placemats are easier to maintain but they cannot be used for very
formal occasions. They are used on tables that are beautiful. Sometimes
they are placed on tablecloths to protect them. Tablemats are used to
cover the place occupied by one person whiles tablecloth cover the
whole table.
c. Table Runner
Table runners complement your table settings by adding color,
texture and a unifying
element to your table’s
cape. Table runners add a
touch of elegance,
bringing a sense of
tradition to an occasion.
Table runners are usually
30-33 cm wide and a little
longer than the table on
which they are used. They
are often used alongside
placemats. They are
placed across the middle
for the dining table lengthwise.
They are mostly used to make the table attractive. Also they can be
a silencer to prevent dinnerware from making noise on the dining table;
they can also serve as a head pad.
d. Table Napkins
Table napkins are made with fabric or paper. The fabric must be
absorbent. They can be made to match other table appointments or to
contract them. There are different napkins sizes.
Napkins are usually square. The following list shows what sized
napkins are used for various occasions:
1. Formal, Multiple Course, Meals – large napkin (22 to 26
inches square)
2. Buffet Service – medium to
large napkins (18 to 24
inches square or 12 x 22
inches)
3. Informal Dinners – medium
napkins (18 to 20 inches
square)
4. Luncheons – smaller napkins (14 to 16 inches square)
5. Tea – small napkins (12 inches square)
6. Cocktails – very small napkins (9 inches square, 4 x 6
inches, or 6 x 8 inches)
Napkins at a formal
meal should match the
color of the tablecloth.
Napkin texture should be
compatible with that of
the other linens at the
table and tableware
finish. Fine textures work
best for formal occasions,
while unique textures
can be used at informal meals to add interest to the table setting.
Napkins are placed in the center of the service plate to save space at a
formal event. Table napkins can be made of paper. They are cheaper and
save washing. They can however be used only for informal dining. Table
napkins are made for wiping hands, wiping the mouth, and protecting
clothing when eating
e. Silence Cloth
A heavy pad of material used underneath tablecloths. It is usually
fits the size and shape of the table without any allowance for overhang.
The best materials used are quilt, flannel, felt and thin foam. Besides
improving the appearance of the tablecloth, silence cloth protects the
table from hot dishes and deadens sound when plates and serving dishes
are placed.
f. Top Cloth
Small pieces of material placed on top of tablecloths. They protect
the tablecloths and eliminate the need for changing the large tablecloth
more frequently. All that is needed is change the top cloth daily
III - Dinnerware
Dinnerware is a collective name given to dinner plates, breakfast plates,
side plates, soup bowls, cereal bowls and dessert bowls.
When selecting dinnerware consider how the color and design will look
when you serve your food in it, the durability of the material, and the ease of
care. Proper handling and storage can extend the life of your dinnerware.
For competitiveness, presented below are the dinnerware and service
equipment used for formal and informal services alike.
5. Teapot – generally
shorter than coffee pots and can be
used to serve hot water or used to
steep tea
6. Cake Stand – used to display and serve
appetizers, cakes and other desserts.
IV - Flatware
This is sometimes called silverware and it refers to the equipment used
for eating and serving food at table. Table knives, forks and spoons, serving
spoons and forks, dessert spoons and coffee spoons are all called flatware.
They are made of silver, stainless steel, wood or plastic.
Silver and stainless steel are affected by eggs, vinegar, salt, tea and
coffee. You should avoid their prolonged contact with these foods. Discolored
stainless steel can be cleaned with non-abrasive materials like sifted wood ash.
Before cutlery can be used by guests you must make sure it is clean and
polished. It is important to handle cutlery carefully. Do not tumble it out of the
wash basket or throw pieces on top of each other or you will cause scratches.
For hygiene reasons, cutlery that has been dropped on the floor must be sent
back through the wash cycle. Cutlery is polished using a lint-free towel or
polishing cloth straight after coming out of the dish washing machine. If this is
not possible then it should be dipped in a very hot water that has had a few
drops of vinegar or a slice of lemon added, and then polished.
Glassware come in various shapes and sizes, collectively they are called
glass wares. They add beauty and height to table setting. Glass wares are made
with glass, plastic, stainless steel and wood. Primarily, they are categorized as:
1. Tumblers (flat bottomed, cylindrical glasses that is basically a bowl
without a stem or food)
2. Footed wares ( a style of glass whose bowls sits directly on a base or a
foot)
3. Stem wares (glasses having all three features: a
bowl, food and stem)
4. Mugs (a tumbler with a handle or as a tall glass
cup)
Water Goblet
The table, table appointments and other service equipment are assets of
the establishment and cost a considerable amount of money. Great care should
be taken while handling it and a strict control system should be employed on
the use, breakages, and pilferage. Regular inventories should be taken to keep
check on the costs, and to identify the right time to make a purchase indent to
replace equipment that is in short supply.