Module 1: Kitchen Basics

Dining Etiquette

Introduction

Behaviour that is considered “good manners” varies depending on the culture and the setting you are in. Manners appropriate in a family setting will differ from those used in a business setting or a formal setting.

The following slide show will outline dining etiquette for both formal and informal situations.

Table Manners

Learning good manners will enable you to feel comfortable, more confident and relaxed in any situation. As with any skill, developing good table manners comes with practice.

Good manners are used to show consideration and respect for others.

Appearance and Hygiene

Come to the table neat and clean.

Wash your hands before coming to the table for a meal.

Do not comb your hair or apply make-up at the dining table.

Table Conduct: Being SeatedCome to the table when the meal is ready.

Allow your elders to precede you.

People should seat themselves from the left side of the chair; assist those who need assistance in being seated.

Wait for all who are dining to arrive at the table then wait for a signal from the host or hostess to be seated.

Table Conduct: Use of NapkinsPlace the napkin in your lap as soon as you are seated.

Your napkin should be used to blot your mouth lightly and to wipe your fingers as necessary.

If you cough, sneeze, or need to blow your nose, use a tissue rather than the napkin. It is polite to leave the table if you have a long bout of coughing.

Excuse yourself and find the washroom if you need to blow your nose.

Table Conduct: Use of Napkins

If you spill anything, use your napkin to mop up the spill. If the spill is large or very messy, seek the assistance of you host.

The napkin should remain in your lap throughout the meal. If you leave the table for any reason during the meal, place the napkin on the seat of your chair. At the end of the meal, leave the napkin to the left of your plate. It need not be refolded, but should be neat.

Table Conduct: General Behaviour

While waiting to be served, keep your hands in your lap.

Sit straight; do not slump. Elbows should be kept off the table until after the meal. While eating, keep your elbows near your sides.

Be polite. Contribute appropriately to the conversation so that the meal is a pleasant experience for all present.

Table Conduct: Table Service

One goal of food service is to create an enjoyable dining experience for all present. This may be accomplished by serving food that is attractive and appetizing. Proper table service will also enhance the dining experience.

Table Conduct: Table Service

The server will place individual servings in front of you. The server will serve all food from your left, using the left hand and clear from your right using the right hand.

Beverages will be served from the right.

In a formal setting, proper table service follows several basic principles.

Table Conduct: Handling Food

In an informal setting, wait for the host to indicate that it is time to begin passing food. If you are the host, you are expected to start first.

You may serve yourself foods that are close to you. Wait or ask politely for other items to be passed to you. Assist those beside you who may need help.

When serving yourself, take only the amount of food that you will eat. Do not take more than your share.

Table Conduct: Handling Food

If you are uncertain about which piece of cutlery to use, follow the lead of your host.

Unless you are dining with a large group (more than eight people), wait until everyone is served before you begin eating.

Unless you are allergic to a food you should take or accept a bit of each food that has been prepared. This is a courtesy to the cook.

Table Conduct: Handling FoodAppetizers

Place the used utensil on the plate to be removed and taken to the kitchen.

If seafood cocktail is served, use the fish fork.

Sauces that are served for vegetables, nachos or other appetizers should be spooned onto your own plate for dipping. DO NOT dip your food into the main serving dish, unless individual plates are not provided.

If fruit cocktail is served, use the teaspoon provided.

Table Conduct: Handling FoodBread or Rolls

Place your bread or roll on your bread and butter plate, if one is provided. If pats of butter are provided, transfer one from the butter dish to your plate using the tiny fork supplied. If a block of butter is provided, use the butter knife to place butter on your bread and butter plate.To eat, break off (do not cut) a small, bite-size piece from your bread or roll. Spread butter on that one piece and eat it. The bread and butter plate is used for jam or jelly for rolls, relishes, olives, pickles, and celery.

Table Conduct: Handling FoodSoup

Soup is to be eaten quietly and neatly.

Lift the spoon to your lips rather than bending down to the bowl. The arm you are using to eat with should not be resting on the table.

Wait for hot soup to cool; do not blow on it to cool it off.To eat soup, dip the spoon into the soup, moving the far edge of the spoon away from you. Do not fill your spoon full.

Table Conduct: Handling FoodSoup

Sip (do not slurp) your soup from the side of the spoon, instead of the tip.

When you have finished your soup, do not leave the spoon in the bowl. Instead, place the spoon on the side of the soup plate.

Table Conduct: Handling FoodSalad

If the salad is served as a separate course, before the main course, a salad fork is used. The salad fork is found on the outside of the cutlery setting, to the left of the plate.

Salad Fork If the salad is

served as part of the meal, use the dinner fork.

Table Conduct: Handling FoodSalad

If the salad is served as a separate course, after the main course, as is done at formal dinners, the salad fork will be immediately to the left of the plate or may be provided by the server.

Salad Fork

Table Conduct: Handling FoodSalad

If ingredients in the salad are too large to eat, cut them with your fork, if possible, or cut the them one piece at a time with the dinner knife.

When you are finished eating the salad, position your cutlery across the salad plate, in the “five o’clock position”, with the tines of the fork placed downwards.

Table Conduct: Handling FoodMain Course

The main course of a meal is also sometimes known as the entrée.

We cut our food then set the knife down on the edge of the plate. (Note that you should not set the knife on the table nor should you “bridge” the plate and table with the knife.) We then transfer the fork to the dominant hand to eat.

Most North Americans eat the main course using what may be called the “zig-zag” method.

Table Conduct: Handling FoodMain Course

This method of eating is considered more formal than the zig-zag method.

A more direct method, the “Continental style”, is used in European countries. The fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right. After cutting one bite of food, the food is transferred to the mouth with the fork still in the left hand, tines facing downward. This eliminates the transferring of cutlery from hand to hand.

Table Conduct: Handling FoodMain Course

Cut large pieces of food into smaller ones, one bite at a time. It is considered impolite to cut all of your food at once.

Take small bites; chew your food slowly with your mouth closed.

Lift the food to your mouth; do not lean down to your plate to eat.

Table Conduct: Handling FoodMain Course

When taking a mouthful of food, eat all of the food off of the fork or spoon at one time. Do not take any of the food out of your mouth again.

Avoid talking with your mouth full. If someone asks you a question when your mouth is full, wait to answer until you have chewed and swallowed the food.

Table Conduct: Handling FoodMain Course

Do not handle any foods with your hands except for finger foods. Finger foods include bread or rolls, carrot sticks, celery, corn on the cob, olives, potato chips, and most sandwiches.

Swallow the food in your mouth before taking a sip of a beverage. Drink carefully; avoid slurping or gulping.

In informal settings, it is permissible to pick up a chicken, steak, or pork chop bone to finish off the remaining meat once you have cut off as much meat as possible.

Table Conduct: Handling FoodMain Course

Your knife and fork should never be propped against the sides of the plate, nor should the knife be placed between the tines of the fork.

There are conventions about the placement of the knife and fork when not in use.

If you are merely pausing in your eating, cross your knife and fork on the centre of the plate.If you are finished dining, place the knife and fork (tines down) in the five o’clock position. Leave your plate where it is; do not push it away, stack it, or pass it to others to stack unless directed to do so by the host.

Table Conduct: Handling FoodDessert

Dessert cutlery is either positioned at the top of the dinner plate or is provided when the dessert it served. Dessert Spoon and Fork

Table Conduct: General Tips

Remove fish bones from your mouth with your fingers.

Remove fruit pits or seeds, or large pieces of fat from your mouth with your spoon.

Place the pits, seeds, pieces of fat, and fish bones on the edge of your plate. Do not place them on the table.

If particles of food become stuck in your teeth, leave the table to remove the particles. Use dental floss or a toothpick in private.

Table Conduct: End of the Meal

A finger bowl, containing water and sometimes a piece of lemon, may be provided. To use a finger bowl, dip your fingers, one hand at a time, in the water. Swish your fingers gently, then dry them on your napkin.

Your host will signal the end of the meal by placing his or her napkin on the dining table. You may rise and leave the table when your host rises.

The End