The Basics of Formal Dining Tableware

Although dining at home is normally a fairly informal affair, there are occasions when a homeowner may need to create more salubrious surroundings to accommodate an occasion such as a formal dinner party. Although there are differing degrees of formlessness  the information below details the most basic essentials that a dinner table will need.

Cutlery (Flatware)
Of course, matching cutlery is not necessary when a person is having an informal meal at home. However, when hosting a formal dinner party, a homeowner should do their best to ensure their various knives, forks and spoons are all of the same design.

Glassware
Much like cutlery, it is customary for glasses at formal occasions to match each other. However, this custom does not normally apply to water, liqueur or Brandy glasses.

China
China refers to dinnerware items such as soup bowls, dinner plates, and side plates. As with cutlery and glasses, china should all be matching on special occasions, although this doesn’t typically include more specialist serving dishes such as scallop shells.

Condiment sets
These days it is quite fashionable to have large salt and pepper grinders on the dining table when enjoying an informal meal. However, it is better to avoid using these for formal dinners where small salt and pepper shakers are still the norm.

If a homeowner needs to host a dinner party that requires a certain extra level of sophistication, they should make sure they set their table with the beautiful dinner pieces available from Denby.