If you are hosting a luncheon and soup will be served, include a soup bowl in your place setting. Whether your luncheon is casual or formal, the basic setting is the same. A casual setting includes mostly the same dinnerware as a formal setting, and it is arranged in the same manner. If your luncheon is informal, feel free to choose a variety of colors and patterns to add a bit of your personality to the table.
Positions of Dinnerware
The proper placement of your dinnerware is important. If you are using a placemat, position it on the table so that it centers the chair. The plate is then placed squarely in the center of the placemat. If a placemat is not used, set the plate two inches from the edge of the table, ensuring it is placed on the table so that it centers the chair. Place your soup bowl on top of the plate. If you are serving salad, position the salad plate to the left of the plate and slightly above it, leaving adequate room for your silverware. For informal luncheons, choose plates and bowls of contrasting colors or patterns to add a lively touch to your table setting.
Proper Placement of Silverware
The dinner fork is placed on the left side of the plate with the tip of the handle aligned with the bottom edge of the plate and the tines pointing away from the table edge. If you are serving a salad or dessert with the meal, place a second fork on the left of the dinner fork. If you are using a salad plate and it is not properly positioned above the forks and near the plate, move it to its proper position. A knife is placed on the right side of the plate with the tip of its handle in alignment with the bottom edge of the plate. Ensure the blade is facing the plate, as it is considered impolite for the blade to face the next diner. A soup spoon is placed to the right of the knife with the tip of its handle aligned with the tip of the knife.
Tumblers and Stemware
It is perfectly acceptable to use tumblers and stemware together in a place setting. Tumblers are placed above the spoon. If you are using a stemmed glass, place it beside or behind the tumbler. If you are using more than two glasses, the glasses are often arranged in a triangle above the spoon, but there is no particular way to arrange the glasses. When a water glass is used, place it where it is most convenient for the guest as this is often the frequently used glass.
Napkins and Salt-and-Pepper Shakers
Napkins are traditionally placed to the left of the forks on the left side of the plate or on the plate. A setting that includes a bowl for soup does not allow you to place the napkin on the plate. It is acceptable to arrange the napkin inside stemware in an attractive manner. Use brightly colored napkins to add flair to your table settings. Always place your salt-and-pepper shakers in the center of the table so they are convenient for all guests.
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