FSM 104 – MEAL MANAGEMENT
Lesson 5 - Table Setting/Table skirting
Table Setting
Rules for setting the table are dictated by convenience. However, table setting is influenced by:
1. the pattern of table service to be used, which gives the established position of some items.
2. the menu to be served which determines the specific appointments to be placed at covers.
3. the size of the table which influences the exact position of appointments at covers.
A Well-Set Table
For an attractive and well-set table, everything should be spotlessly clean and placed so that the table as a whole
appears well-balanced:
1. The silver, china, and glassware should be placed in straight lines both lengthwise and across the table. All
pieces should be placed parallel with even spacing between them.
2. The linen tablecloth or place mats and napkins should be free from wrinkles and should match or harmonize
with each other.
When a tablecloth is used, a “silence” cloth or pad should be placed under it to protect the table, to
make the table look better, and to deaden the noise of the dishes and silver. The tablecloth should be
placed so that the centrefold is exactly in the center of the table and the sides are of the same distance
from the floor.
3. The centerpiece may be placed in the center, to the side, or at one end of the table, but its position should be
considered in arranging a well-balanced table. The centrepiece should be low enough for people to see each
other across the table.
4. The chairs should be placed so that the center of the chair is in line with the center of the plate. The front of the
chair should come just under the edge of the table so that a person may sit down or rise without having to move
the chair too much.
The Place Setting or Table Cover
How to place the table covering
If a tablecloth is used, place it over a “silence” cloth or pad, and center the cloth evenly on the table. If place
mats are used, put one at each cover so that each mat is straight along the edge of the table and about ½ to 1 inch from
the edge. Napkins go to the extreme left of the cover with the open edge of the napkin either to the right or to the left
and about ½ to 1 inch from the table’s edge. When there is not enough room for the napkin at the left, it may be placed
at the center of the cover.
How to place the tableware
Flatware is placed on each cover in the order in which it is to be used, from the outside in, and about 1 inch
from edge of the table.
Place the forks, with the tines up, at the left of the cover, and place the knife, with the cutting edge toward the
inside, at the right of the cover. Then put the spoons, with the bowls up, at the right of the knife. If no knife is required
at the meal, as in a situation when a salad is served with a prepared sandwich for the main course, the salad fork is
placed at the right of the cover instead of at the left. Butter spreaders, if needed, are placed across a bread-and-butter
plate, either parallel to the edge of the table or parallel to the rest of the silver.
When the meal is to be served at the table, the serving pieces should be placed conveniently near the person
who is to serve. Place the carving knife and fork and serving spoons at the right of the cover of this person, putting the
carving knife at the right of the serving fork and the serving spoons at the right of the knife. If the table is a small one,
place the carving knife at the right of the serving platter with the serving spoons beside it, and the serving fork at the left
of the platter. The serving platter will be at the top of the server’s cover.
How to place the glassware
Tumblers of goblets are placed just above the knife, either directly in line with it or slightly at the right of the tip
of the knife. If two glasses are needed, place the second glass at the right of the water glass. Glasses with very cold
beverages may deposit moisture on the table covering so put a coaster or a small plate beneath each of them. For iced
beverages, the coaster or underplate should be large enough to hold the spoon that is used for stirring or at least to
support the tip of the spoon that is used for stirring or at least to support the tip of the spoon when it is not used. When
juice or cocktail is served as an appetizer, put the filled juice or sherbet glasses in the center of each cover, except at
breakfast when juice glasses may be put at the right of the water glasses.
How to place the dinnerware
If bread-and-butter plates are used, they are placed at the tip of the fork. When the food is to be served from the
table, place the plates for each course before the person who will serve. If the food is to be passed so each person may
help himself, then put a plate at each other.
If hot beverage is to be served at the table, place the cups and saucers before the person who will pour the
beverage, either at the right or left according to the amount of space. Each cup should be on its own saucer with the
handle of the cup at the right. When there are more cups and saucers that can be arranged this way, one cup may rest
inside another with the two saucers under them, but no more than two cups should be stacked together.
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Put the salad plates next to the salad bowl if the salad is to be served from the bowl; or put an individual salad
plate that has been served in the kitchen at the left of each cover. When the table is small, it is permissible to place the
salad plate at the top left, or even at the right should that be more convenient.
How to place the accessories
Put salt and pepper shakers at the top of each cover, one pair between two covers slightly above them. Dishes
containing relishes, condiments, jams or jellies, and bread or rolls should be placed within easy reach and in a manner to
make the table look somewhat symmetrical. Put the silver that is needed for serving these foods at the right of each dish.
Table Skirting
A table skirt is a way to dress up a table b wrapping around the edge of a table that adds style and function to a
room. Table skirting is a decorative method of disguising or hiding table legs and clutter by covering the table with a
decorative tablecloth. By concealing what is underneath the table, offer a simple storage solutions.
Importance of Table Skirting:
1. It adds style to formal events.
2. It can transform a dull table into the most elegant and sophisticated center stage of a formal gathering.
3. It protects the table itself from stain and other possible damages.
4. It boosts the air of professionalism in formal events.
5. It allows uniformity.
Suggestion in Good Table Skirting:
1. Fabric cloth should be clean and spotless.
2. The fabric should be iron out wherever possible.
3. You should know the table measures and shape to make the folding equal.
4. Lay a cloth so that the overhand is the same at the two ends.
5. Avoid great depth of overhand at the table.
6. Tablecloth should be dropped at least 1 inch from the floor.
Table skirts consist of two major components: the table cloth topper and a long table skirt that fastens to the table edge
with thumb tacks. Designing the table skirts with the use of fabrics and pins will complete the entire skirting job. The
topper is essentially a table cloth that covers the top of the table and a small amount of its sides. It holds the skirt. Most
people skirt 3 sides of a table – some skirt all 4 sides.
Steps in Table Skirting
1. Starting with an empty table, place the table topper over the table.
2. Fasten all sides with thumb tacks underneath the tabletop.
3. Make sure to stretch tightly the table topper to establish a firm foundation prior to skirting around the table
edges.
4. Measure the table and mark the center with a pin.
5. Adjust the folding of the fabric and make sure to allot 1 – inch distance from the floor.
6. Find the center fold of the lengthy skirt and pin it to the center. Do not let both ends of the fabric touch the floor
to avoid dirt.
7. Start at the center and slowly skirt the table according to designs desired.
