Serving Family Meals

Family Meals

Family meals are important to a family’s social health

Family meals are a time when everyone: Can relax Enjoy food Talk with each other Catch up on family news Have fun

Family Meals

Make the most of family meals by keeping a positive atmosphere and paying attention to the table’s appearance Mealtime is not the time to complain, criticize,

or talk about the day’s problems Take time to enjoy yourself and your food People who read and watch television while

they eat pay little attention to what and how much they eat

Setting the Table

Make sure the table is clean and free of clutter Have a simple decoration

Table settings include the following components: Tableware- any items used for serving and

eating food Dinnerware:

Plates Bowls Cups

Setting the Table

Flatware: Knives Forks Spoons

Glassware Linens

Place setting- the pieces of tableware used by one person to eat a meal

Serving pieces: Large bowls Platters

Cover- the arrangement of a place setting for one person

Table Setting Basics

Knowing how to set the table will help you serve family meals and entertain guests

The cover is usually on the table before people sit down to eat The plate is in the center about one inch from

the edge of the table Arrange flatware in the order it is used starting

at the outside and working in toward the center

Table Setting Basics

Forks go to the left of the plate Knives go to the right of the plate

Blade should be faced towards the plate Spoons are placed to the right of the knives

Soup spoon is placed to the right of a teaspoon if being used

Beverage glass is placed above the tip of the knife

Cup and saucer or mug go to the right of the spoon about one inch from the edge of the table

Napkin is placed to the left of the fork

Settings for Family Meals

At home the same fork can be used to eat a salad and main dish

For a formal meal, separate forks should be used

Basic meal at home usually calls for a dinner plate, fork, knife, spoon, and beverage glass

Mealtime Etiquette

Table Etiquette

The courtesy shown by using good manners at meals Can be an asset in the working world How?

General Etiquette Guidelines: Before Eating Place the napkin on your lap before eating

Don’t tuck it into your shirt or belt If there are 6 or fewer people at the table, wait until

everyone has been served before eating If there are more than 6, wait until 2-3 people have

been served before eating You can reach for serving dishes as long as you don’t

have to reach across your neighbor If you can’t reach the food, ask the person closest to

the food to pass it to you

General Etiquette Guidelines: While Eating Don’t talk with your mouth full If you are having problems getting food onto your fork, push the

food onto the fork with a piece of bread or your knife Break bread into smaller pieces before buttering or eating it

Place butter on your bread plate first before buttering If you are dining at someone’s home and unsure of what to do,

use your host’s actions as your guide Cut food into small pieces for eating Sit up straight when you eat and don’t lean on your elbows If you have to cough or sneeze, cover your mouth or nose with a

napkin

General Etiquette Guidelines: After Eating Don’t comb your hair or apply makeup while

at the table Don’t leave a spoon in your cup; you can

knock the cup over if your hand hits the spoon

Place your knife and fork on the plate, parallel, with the points facing center when you have finished eating

Restaurant Etiquette

Make a reservation if needed to reserve a table and time

Ask questions before you order If you need separate checks, request them before

you order Be polite to servers, get their attention by raising your

hand If there is a mistake on your check, politely ask the

server to make the correction Leave the correct gratuity for your server

The standard amount is 15% of the pre-tax total