The Regal Way To Hold a Dessert Fork & Spoon | Mummy's Monday Manners — Holly Holden (2024)

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The Regal Way To Hold a Dessert Fork & Spoon | Mummy's Monday Manners — Holly Holden? ›

Truth be known, the appropriate way is to hold both pieces of flatware, simultaneously! The fork is held in your left hand, and the spoon in your right hand. With the fork in your left hand, have the fork tines face down. The fork is a "pusher,” used to place/push the dessert into the spoon.

Forks should be set to the left of the plate, with knives placed to the right, blade edges facing inwards Soup spoons should be placed on the right of the knives. 3. Place the dessert fork and dessert spoon above the plate, with the fork prongs facing right and the spoon bowl facing left.

The spoon first serves as a knife and the fork is used to steady the solid portion of the dessert. The spoon is then re-positioned in the right hand, holding in 'pencil' position. The fork becomes a 'mover' assisting in positioning both the cake and the ice cream on the spoon.

The dessert spoon is placed closest to the plate on the right, and the dessert fork, just to the left of the plate so that they are the last pieces of flatware employed while dining. This will allow you to savour your pudding!

The dessert fork may be placed above the dinner plate, or it may be brought to the table when dessert is served. A narrow fork with three tines, this fork (also called a seafood or co*cktail fork) is useful for handling shellfish, or for picking up shrimp from a shrimp co*cktail.

Holding a Fork "American Style"

Americans hold forks in their dominant hand, whether it's on the right or left. According to Claytor, the correct way to hold a fork is to “hold it by your index finger and your thumb, and then rest it on your third finger.”

A dessert spoon is a spoon designed specifically for eating dessert and sometimes used for soup or cereals. Similar in size to a soup spoon (intermediate between a teaspoon and a tablespoon) but with an oval rather than round bowl, it typically has a capacity around twice that of a teaspoon.

The water glass belongs to the right of the plate, just above the main dining knife. Wine glasses should be set to the right of the water glasses in the order in which they will be used.

Place the dinner plate in the center, and the napkin to the left of the plate. (Alternately, you can opt for the napkin on top of the dinner plate to mix things up.) Add the fork on top of the napkin or to the right of the napkin, and the knife and spoon to the right of the plate.

Remember always to use the cutlery from the outside first, working inwards for each course. Forks: When forks are placed on the left side of the plate, the first fork to use will be the outside one, perhaps for an appetizer or salad.

Which direction do spoons go in a restaurant? ›

Regarding the position of the cutlery on the table, to the right you will find the spoons and knives, always starting with the spoon on the far right, a small knife for starters (just to the side), and on the left, the traditional table knife (in both cases with the edges towards the inside of the table).

The basic rule is: Utensils are placed in the order of use; that is, from the outside in. A second rule, with only a few exceptions, is: Forks go to the left of the plate, and knives and spoons go to the right. And finally, only set the table with utensils you will use.