Dishes for table setting: varieties and nuances of choice

Most people like to arrange holidays at home - this makes it possible to get together with loved ones, prepare a menu, and arrange the table setting according to your own taste. However, many are mistaken, thinking that table design is a fairly simple and quick matter, limited only by the correct layout of forks, spoons, napkins and the arrangement of dishes. There are many subtleties of choosing serving dishes, which we will discuss in the article.

The decoration of the pre-holiday table is always of great importance. This is a kind of art, which is reflected not only in the creation of an aesthetically beautiful composition of dishes. Serving implies following some specific conventions. These include meal times: the table set for breakfast will be different from the festive evening one. In addition, the selection of a certain type of tablecloth, the correct choice of glasses and plates, and table decor are important factors.

Before you start setting the table, you need to know the names of all cutlery. The components of the services differ in appearance and purpose. For this reason, each element is assigned a strictly defined place on the festive table. For this, serving is performed in a special sequence, which must be observed.

There are a huge number of different variations of serving dishes; some have up to 35 types of plates. Most of them are used infrequently (for example, at official receptions). At the same time, there are several basic types of cutlery that are commonly used to beautifully decorate the table. It:

• soup plate;
• snack dishes intended for salads;
• pie plate;
• a vase that acts as a candy bowl;
• a dish or a shallow dish with partitions inside (connects different snacks on a plate).

In addition, they use a shelf for serving fruit. This dish consists of several bases fixed on a common leg; at the very top of the multi-tiered structure there is a special ring that allows you to carry this plate. In addition to the whatnots, a rotating tray is used, which allows you to serve snacks or pizza. Thanks to several bases, connected by metal fasteners, you get a rotating dish that will look great on your everyday and festive table.

The development of modern technologies is reflected in a wide range of tableware. Today, the sets differ not only in design and the number of devices, but also in the materials from which the serving items are made. The most common materials are glass and ceramics. Let's consider each type in detail.

Glassware has been used since ancient times. She does not lose her popularity, since she has many advantages. This is a presentable appearance, which emphasizes the stylish decoration of the table, an exceptional sense of taste, and the wealth of the owners of the house.

This is especially true for Bohemian glass, which has a sophisticated design. On the other hand, for all the beauty of glassware, you need to understand that it is fragile and breaks easily.

Ceramic sets can compete with glassware. The main advantage of ceramic dishes is that they are strong enough, resistant to mechanical, thermal and chemical influences. This is especially true for porcelain dishes, which are thin, although made of a fairly dense material. Another positive characteristic is the fact that ceramic sets, for all their strength, are also beautiful.

There are two categories of tableware made from ceramics: earthenware and porcelain. The first is a type of ceramic that is fired once during the production process. Earthenware cutlery is of high quality and is sold at a reasonable price that will not harm the family budget. Porcelain is more expensive, due to its characteristics it is much more functional due to its high resistance to damage.

Manufacturers achieve similar strength due to the fact that they subject the material to double firing. Due to the excellent performance characteristics and interesting design, porcelain sets perfectly combine the parameters of price and quality.

A large assortment of cutlery only complicates the process of choosing them, since there are a wide variety of tableware options (from large round dishes to the smallest square ones). In this regard, many housewives think about what plates of various sizes are intended for. Small oval dishes (up to 20 cm) are intended for serving cold snacks, which are an integral part of any festive feast.

Often, herring girls have a similar shape, but differ in their parameters: their diameter varies from 25 to 30 centimeters.

Large dishes (from 20-24 cm) are used to serve various types of food on the table (for example, hot dishes), while small plates are intended for each guest separately. When serving, so-called pie plates with a diameter of 150-175 mm are of great importance; they serve bread, croutons, buns and pies, as well as butter.

Despite the fact that today you can buy dishes and cutlery of various designs, you must adhere to the following rule: all serving items (from dishes to napkins) must be designed in the same style and correspond to the theme of the event.

If you want to use a service made in a classic style, you should choose napkins (paper, fabric) with an intricate pattern for it. They need to be folded figuratively and secured with special rings, which will be sustained in the general style. Often they are already made in an ornate form or decorated with intricate ornaments.

Serving done in a modern style assumes great freedom in the choice of colors and materials, but the main rule remains the same: all appliances must be combined with each other.

With a large assortment of dishes on the market today, it is difficult to choose the most versatile dishes that will be used in most feasts. Based on this, the most optimal option can be considered the purchase of a service, which includes several types of dishes. For example, they feature flat plates or rolling trays designed for snacks.

The sets have broth bowls for soups, mashed potatoes or broths. In addition to the above serving dishes, there are also dessert bowls, fruit stands, pepper shakers and salt shakers. In addition to the fact that the service is more functional than several plates of different types, it helps to avoid problems with the selection of dishes in a single color, because all dishes in it are made in the same style.

To create coziness and a pleasant atmosphere, but at the same time not to be considered a person not familiar with drinking etiquette, it is necessary to place the table in accordance with a certain sequence.

• First you need to spread a clean ironed tablecloth on the table surface.
• It needs to be straightened so that it looks neat and evenly distributed over the entire table area.
• The fabric should hang the same length from all edges of the table.
• Then you can start arranging the plates: they are placed next to each chair. This matches the disposition of the guest.
• The plates should be at a distance of a couple of centimeters from the edge of the table.
• Not far from the snack plates, there are pies for serving bread, rolls and toasts.

In addition to the plates, glasses must be present on the table. Their number depends on what drinks are planned to be served and in what quantity. If you plan to drink mineral water or juice, you need to use wine glasses, which are placed on the right in front of the snack plates at a distance of 2 cm. To the right there will be champagne glasses and glasses for alcoholic beverages.

There are many different types of tableware available for table setting. The use of a particular item is determined by the presence of certain dishes in the menu. We have named the most basic types of plates and wine glasses that are used in the most common table designs. In addition to the above devices, the owners often resort to using auxiliary service items.

When you have finished arranging the dishes, you can start laying out the napkins. They are placed not only near the snack plates, but also placed on the table in a special holder (in case the guests need extra napkins).One of the final steps is to decorate the table with candles, flower vases, or small figurines related to the feast. After decorating the table with decorative items, serve bread and cold snacks.

Each person will be able to create a serving according to their taste, regardless of what kind of dishes they use: ceramic, glass or stainless steel. Consider the most interesting table decoration techniques.

• The classics always remain relevant in the design of the table and its setting: dishes of neutral colors with patterns made in gold or silver are used. They will be in harmony with the color of the cutlery: this will create a single image on the festive table.

• You can use dishes of unusual bright colors. Intense colors that contrast sharply with the tablecloth or main dishes are a fashionable design trend that has become increasingly popular lately.
• This also includes the unusual texture of the dishes: some plates may have a three-dimensional pattern and ornament. They will add zest to the festive table.

For information on how to properly set the table, see the next video.