Tired of monotony? Perhaps you spend this time in front of the TV? Why, if you can turn an ordinary morning into a small pleasant holiday. To do this, it is enough to understand the rules of table setting.
Today I will tell you about the history of serving, the correct technology, we will analyze the diagram and look at several illustrations of the design of a breakfast table.
History and development of the art of table setting
People began to eat noble meals already in Ancient Rome. Rich citizens consumed food while lying down. It was previously believed that eating foods this way improved the functioning of the digestive system. Slaves brought a three-legged table with goodies to their masters' bedside. It had something like a modern knife and spoon on it. These devices were silver or gold.
In Europe, people began to set tables for food only in the 14th-15th centuries.
Reference! When delicate porcelain dishes were already being produced in the East, clay and wood were being made in Europe, and cutlery was considered a luxury item.
When beautiful dishes were brought to European countries, this etiquette began to develop. This is how the initial requirements appeared: the table had to be covered with cloth, there had to be a vase with flowers in the center, and a cup of water for washing hands near the plates.
Over time, etiquette has evolved. In the 18th century, porcelain production appeared in Germany. They began to produce separately plates for various dishes, dessert plates, knives, spoons and forks.
Eating etiquette develops among the nobility. During the rounds, napkins are used, and the serving procedure takes on a new look.
Special cases
Home morning decoration should be light and relaxed. Use your favorite dishes, family trinkets, and get into the habit of writing morning wishes to each other on napkins.
Serving a business or holiday table requires more attention and has its own subtleties and features.
Business breakfast
The morning reception of business partners is not held in such an official setting as, for example, lunch, but requires following certain rules:
- When seating guests, leave a little more space for each person so that it is convenient to lay out the necessary papers or gadgets. Ideally, breakfast for two takes place at a table for four.
- To decorate the table, use only plain fabric tablecloths and matching napkins. Variegated colors are not appropriate for a business event.
- Choose dishes from one set and cutlery from one set.
- Don't get carried away with the decor. A modest bouquet of flowers will be enough.
- In addition to cloth ones, prepare paper napkins that guests can use to clean their hands of grease, crumbs or jam. During a business meeting, it is customary to discuss current affairs and study documents.
There should also not be a lot of dishes and cutlery.
The table for a formal breakfast should be practical and simple, without an abundance of dishes and snacks. Use only those items that are provided on the menu.
Romantic breakfast in bed
To serve breakfast in bed, you will have to purchase a rectangular tray with small legs and sides. It should be wide enough, comfortable and stable.
If you don’t have a special tray at hand, take a regular one that you have in the kitchen, or a large cutting board. Cover the surface with a beautiful napkin of suitable size, place dishes, glasses, and cutlery according to the classic pattern (as far as free space allows).
Serving features:
- Buy a gift tea pair (cup and saucer). Don't use them every day, save them for a romantic morning.
- Instead of a bouquet, place one large flower in a glass or miniature vase. If the tray area is small, place a short-stemmed rosebud on top of the plate.
- Pour the juice immediately into a glass. Serve tea or coffee in a small teapot.
- Use fruits as edible decoration. Using metal cookie cutters, cut out hearts, flowers, and stars from apple, pear or watermelon pulp.
A pie plate and butter knife are not needed. All products are neatly placed on the main dish.
Festive decoration
For a festive breakfast, which will be attended by guests, use the classic serving scheme:
- Lay a plain tablecloth in white, beige, milky, cream or any pale shade.
- For each person present, place a large flat plate and bread plate, a deep bowl (if provided on the menu), a tea cup, and saucer. Don't forget a glass for juice or water.
- Lay out all the necessary cutlery.
- Decorate the plates with cloth napkins. Fold them in the shape of a lotus, lily or sachet.
- Decorate the center with a neat bouquet of fresh flowers with a pleasant, unobtrusive scent.
Technology of proper table setting for breakfast
Before arranging plates and spoons correctly, you need to know a few simple serving rules.
1. The tablecloth is the basis of the basics. We cover the table with a tablecloth. The main requirement for it is smoothness and impeccable cleanliness. Do not forget that the color of the tablecloth should be in harmony with the overall interior of the kitchen.
Note! The tablecloth runner is gaining popularity. This is a thin woven strip. It is placed in the middle of the table. It covers one third. A runner is a rectangular and square element. No one canceled the napkins. The pattern must be the same on both elements.
2. Large flat plate. This element should be at the center of the entire structure. The dishes are used for hot dishes (fried eggs). When porridge is served for breakfast, this element becomes a sub-plate. A deep hoop for food is installed on it. As for patterns, it's completely up to you.
In the proposed photo, a large plate plays the role of a plate:
3. Cutlery. This is the next stage of serving. A knife is placed on the right side of the plate, with the tip facing the dish. Next comes a tablespoon, and then a teaspoon. If there is a fork, it should be placed to the left of the plate. There should be a napkin to the left of the fork.
Note! If a tablespoon is not provided, but there should be a dessert spoon, then it is placed above the main plate. The handle of the dessert spoon should point to the right.
4. Drinkware. Mentally draw a diagonal from bottom to top from left to right. At the top right there should be a coffee cup, which stands on a saucer and a spoon.
5. Sandwiches. The small plate for this dish should be slightly to the left of the center line of the large plate. The knife should lie on the sandwich saucer with the blade to the left.
6. Sugar, jam and lemon. The first element is served in a sugar bowl. If you have a piece, then you must have special tweezers. Jam or jam should be poured into special bowls with spoons. The lemon is cut into portions and placed on a bowl. There should be a small fork nearby.
To complete the overall composition, place a small bouquet on the table. Further in the section, a selection of interesting ideas, you will find some amazing compositions with flowers.
Breakfast serving plan
The requirements described above are only general conditions for table setting. You can complement the composition with various elements.
As you can see, this diagram also includes a glass for juice and milk or water. However, this arrangement is used for everyday meals. If you are expecting guests, then you need to be more responsible here.
According to the etiquette of a formal meal, there should be a snow-white tablecloth on the table. Light decor in pastel shades is allowed. The situation with napkins is similar to that described in the previous section.
As for tableware, serving breakfast when guests arrive means using crystal, nice tableware and clean white dishes.
In the center there must be a composition of flowers and dishes that are not laid out individually for each person:
- main course;
- salad bowls;
- a vessel with a drink (water or juice);
- socket with jam;
- sugar.
Salt and pepper shakers should be placed at each place. The rest of the arrangement of plates, cutlery and glasses is similar.
Decorating the table before guests arrive can be schematically described as follows:
- A cloth napkin is prepared individually for guests;
- A large flat plate is placed on it, with a salad bowl on top;
- knife - on the right with the tip towards the plate, fork on the left;
- a teaspoon is placed to the right of the knife, and another snack bar is placed to the left of the fork;
- A pie fork is placed above a large plate, with a dessert spoon next to it;
- Drink glasses are placed diagonally to the right.
A more detailed location can be seen in the video provided:
How breakfast is served in different countries
Different countries have their own traditions of serving breakfast. Almost everywhere, a refreshing cup of tea or coffee, a fragrant cake and a hearty main course are the main products of your morning meal. And the choice of dishes and cutlery reflects national customs.
Traditional English breakfast
An English breakfast includes your favorite tea and biscuits, plus orange juice, pudding, toast and breakfast cereals in the colder months.
Table decorations are kept strict, even primitive and disorderly, without unnecessary details and elements.
Traditional serving elements: white linen tablecloths, silver family dishes, fine china.
French breakfast
The French breakfast starts with an Americano and fresh, crispy croissants. On the table there is butter, jam in bleaches, honey. Sometimes they offer hot chocolate, yogurt and fresh fruit juice.
A distinctive feature of French table setting is large white cups for drinks. The table decoration is simple and conservative.
Traditional Turkish breakfast
To serve breakfast in Turkey, special sets of dishes are used - small ceramic containers, most often with lids, placed on a wooden base. Traditionally, the kits include cheese, vegetables, olives, eggs, slices of bread and honey (or jam).
It’s hard to imagine a Turkish breakfast without hot, strong tea. Served in a special kettle with a double bottom, which is constantly heated. Turks drink from special tulip-shaped glasses.
Setting the home table gives freedom to interpret the layout of devices. A little practice, imagination and a set of necessary dishes will help you recreate an English, European or Eastern morning in your own kitchen.
A selection of interesting ideas
Look at the illustrations provided. A number of photographs slightly violate the basic rules of table setting, but this is not a problem. After all, you are at home. You are an artist in your kitchen. Create, and we will help you.
With our tips and detailed illustrations, you will be able to create an amazing composition for a seemingly ordinary breakfast. Our serving rules will help you create a positive mood for the whole family for the whole day.
Try, experiment and surprise with tips from “Simply SMAK”.
