9 Tips for Serving the Meal at Formal Dinner

Formal Dinner Invitation

Hiya Beautiful,

Formal Dinner invitation – I am excited to share the article How to serve the meal in formal dinners setting, written by my dear friend Karen Brunger. Karen is a Founder and President of the International Image Institute Inc., based in Toronto. Learn more imageinstitute.com

Dining etiquette depends on culture, and can vary from one region to another. The primary consideration is to conduct yourself as elegantly and politely as possible.

So, here it is, the 9 Tips for Serving a Formal Dinner

Dining etiquette depends on culture, and can vary from one region to another. The primary consideration is to conduct yourself as elegantly and politely as possible. Click To Tweet

9 Tips for Serving a Formal Dinner

1. Used plates are removed from the right with the right hand, and the next plate is placed immediatelly with the left hand, so that there is always a plate in front of the guest (until the dessert service).

2. The guest of honour (seated to the right of the host) is served first, followed by that side of the table. Next the person seated to the right of the second host is served, followed by that side of the table. The hosts are served last.

3. Bread may not be served at a formal dinner.

4. Cream soup, as it is heartier, is not served during a formal meal with more than 3 courses.

5. if a fish course is served, a sorbet is served afterwards to cleance the palate.The sorbet is served in a smallcrystal bowl on its own plate, with a doily between the bowl and the plate. A demitasse spoon is placed on the table.

6. Dessert may be served and brought in from the kitchen, or served at the table by the host.

7. At a formal dinner, the guest may be presented with a dessert service. The guest sets the silver onto the table, picks up the doily in the left hand and the fingerbowl in the right, and places them on the table at the upper left of the plate. The server then places the dessert on the plate.

8. The fingerbowl is used after the dessert is eaten. The fingers of one hand, then the other, are placed into the water, and then wiped on the napkin.

9. Coffee or tea is served after the dessert course has been cleared. A coffee spoon or teaspoon is placed on the table or in the saucer at the same time. The beverage is placed in front of each guest from the right. If it is served in the living room, it is brought in on a tray. Liqueurs may be served with coffee.

Happy eating,