How to Set a Dinner Table for Multiple Courses

A multiple-course meal is often an elegant occasion where the host serves salad, soup, bread, beverages, a main course and dessert with coffee. If you're setting a table for a multiple-course meal, there's a correct way to do this. To correctly set a dinner table for this type of occasion, you must place all of the dinnerware, with the exception of a few items, on the table prior to the start of the meal. When a host sets the table correctly, the meal will likely have an elegant feeling and atmosphere. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

1

Place the dinner plates on the table. All of the other dishes are placed around this particular plate. Place the dinner plates about 2 inches from the edge of the table. If you're using place mats, center the dinner plates on them. Dinner plates must be directly in front of each chair at the table.

2

Select the silverware that will be used for the dinner.

3

Set up the forks first. The rule for placing silverware is to start with the implement that will be used first on the outside of each side of the plate. Place forks on the left side of the dinner plate, with the salad fork at the farthest. The main course fork should be placed next to that, but closer to the dinner plate.

4

Place the knives on the right side of the dinner plate. Place the cutting side of the knife toward the plate. Place a spoon to the right of the knife. Line up the bottoms of all silverware, so they're flush.

5

Place the soup bowls on the dinner plate. The soup and salad are most likely the first two items served at a dinner table during a multiple-course meal. Serve the salad on a salad plate and place it to the left, and above, the forks. If serving bread, place a small bread plate to the right of the dinner plate.

6

Align the dessert silverware. Depending on the type of dessert, you should have either a spoon or fork, but not both. Place this piece above the dinner plate, running horizontally.

7

Place the cups or glasses on the table. Most dinners serve water as the main beverage. Place water glasses directly above the dinner knife and arrange any other glasses near the water glass in a triangular manner.

8

Finish the table setting with any final touches desired. Place a napkin on each plate and, if desired, place name cards directly above the dessert utensil.