9 Culinary Etiquettes

 

Etiquette shows how knowledgeable and professional you are. There are many professional business parties where we should know how to eat our food. Knowing how to use different utensils placed on your table is called culinary etiquette. It is always good to know these etiquettes before we attend any business or professional parties. We really feel confused and might get ourselves in trouble if these formalities are not known to us. This is the reason why in many professions culinary etiquettes are taught to the employees. Even in our schools our teachers teach us some basic culinary etiquette and always ask us to follow the table manners while eating.

9 culinary etiquettes to follow in a formal dinner party:

1. Starting the dinner:

In most formal dinner parties, name cards are placed on the table so that you know where you should sit. If it is not mentioned, wait for the host to indicate where you should sit.

2. Usage of Napkins:

Place the napkin on your lap unfolding it properly. Remember not to use it for wiping your hands or rubbing your nose. In case you need to go somewhere in between the dinner, place the napkin loosely folded on the left hand side of your plate. When you have finished your dinner, you have to follow the same process.

3. When to start eating:

At a private dinner party, wait for the food to be served to all the members of the party. At a family dinner party, wait for the host to show the signal of starting the dinner when he picks up his fork.

4. Which utensil to be used:

At a formal dinner party you might get confused with many forks and spoons kept at each side of the plate. If you don’t understand how to use them, follow the host and watch how he is using the utensils. Forks are always placed at the left side of the plate and spoons and knives at the right side. Remember to use the farthest spoon and fork to start your dinner. Food is always placed at the left side of the plate, whereas drinks are always placed at the right side of the plate.

5. Break your bread using your hands:

Always break your bread with your hands, butter it and then eat it. Do not use a knife to cut your rolls or breads.

6. Table manners:

There are some rules which should be followed while eating:

• Always pass the serving bowls or plates in the clockwise direction rather than passing it in the cross.
• Do not talk while you are eating your food. If somebody is asking you something, finish your food in the mouth first, then answer the asked question.
• Always try to keep your phone in switch off mode as it is a bad gesture if you talk on your phone while eating.

7. Finishing signal:

Always put your fork and knife in a rest position to let the waiter know you have finished eating. The knife should be at the top of the plate, and fork placed diagonally below the knife on the plate lets the waiter know that you have finished eating.

8. Loosely folded napkin:

When you have finished eating, fold your napkin loosely and place it at the left hand side of the table. Waiting for the host to signal the end of the dinner, and then you can stand up. It’s always good to wait for an hour after the dinner is over rather than rushing back to your home.

9. Thank you note:

Don’t forget to send a thank you note to the host. Send a thank you note to the host within a day or two and appreciate him or her for the dinner party.

There are some basic etiquettes which we must know to make our life easy. This also helps us in our professional and personal growth.