So, does that mean that if you’re serving food that doesn’t require any utensils, you shouldn’t bother setting any out? You might go that route, but you might also see it as a common courtesy to set out a knife and fork just in case. Setting out unnecessary silverware just confuses your guests—they’ll have no idea what to use that little fork for!
There’s really only one time you’ll want to set a fork to the right of the plate: if you’re serving a meal that requires the use of an oyster fork.
This standard outside-to-inside setup signals to diners which pieces of silverware they should use for each course.
Here’s the one thing everyone seems to agree on: don’t set the napkin to the right of the plate!
If you’re including a butter knife, put it on top of the bread plate placed above and to the left of the dining plate. Set it so the blade is on the left side of the bread plate and is facing toward the diner—this puts it in the correct position for a right-handed person to use without turning it over.
Since the different pieces of silverware are likely to be different lengths, it’s also easier as a practical matter to line up the bottoms rather than trying to line up the tops.
No matter how many primary silverware setting styles you contend there are, they should always be both functional and visually appealing.
Pay attention to detail to add visual appeal. Line up the bottoms of the silverware with the bottom of the plate, and set the fork, knife, and drinkware about 1 in (2. 5 cm) from the plate. This setting is great for everyday dining, or maybe a weekend breakfast get-together.
Add, subtract, or substitute drinkware as needed. Center the plate on a nice placemat to further refine the look. This is the ideal setting for typical dinner parties with friends and family.
Add forks, spoons, and knives to the left and right as needed depending on the courses you’re serving. Remember to lay them out so that your guests are able to work their way inward while picking up silverware—that is, the silverware for earlier courses goes to the outside. Replace a placemat with a charger, a decorative plate that remains under the serving dishes—soup bowl, salad plate, dinner plate, etc. Add additional drinkware at the 1 o’clock position as needed and, if desired, individual salt and pepper shakers and a placecard above the dessert silverware.
