Entertain: the idea

I always thought people chose to dine out due to convenience or lack of cooking knowledge.  I even thought that those with lots of money dine out just because they could.  Turns out, after years of noticing, that some people just don’t know how to entertain and choose the easier way out.

Have you ever served warm white wine or waited a half hour before offering your guests a beverage?  Do you end up becoming frantic when it comes time to put the meal together and yet you still haven’t set the table?  If you think that meals served on paper plates, drinks in plastic cups and paper napkins on the roll set in the middle of the table is the right way to entertain then please keep reading…

Rustic doesn’t mean amateur.  Even BBQ’s can be done with class. There are some golden rules to follow in order to entertain the proper way, always!  Mise en place doesn’t only apply to the preparation of the meal.  Here are a few things you will need in order to set a proper table.

  • Cloth napkins
  • Real cutlery
  • Serving dishes made of porcelain

It doesn’t have to break the bank but it makes a world of difference when someone knows the basics.

This is a super fancy version but it is the proper way to set a table for 5 courses but if you follow this diagram you can always break it down to as many courses as you wish.  The general rule with utensils is to start from the outside of your place setting, and work your way toward the service plate (the main meal plate): soup spoon first, then fish knife and fork, then service knife and fork.

  • A – Serviette (Napkin)
  • B – Service Plate
  • C – Soup Bowl on Plate
  • D – Bread and Butter Plate with Butter Knife
  • E – Water Glass
  • F – White Wine
  • G – Red Wine
  • H – Fish Fork
  • I – Dinner Fork
  • J – Salad Fork
  • K – Service Knife
  • L – Fish Knife
  • M – Soup Spoon
  • N – Dessert Spoon and Cake Fork

Now that the table is set you can focus on the rest.

Everything should be done prior to your guests arrival so chill the wine, champagne or beer, make sure you have ice for martinis or high balls etc.  The food mise en place should be done to the point that when it comes time for dinner you’re all set to put it together with ease.  If you are serving a cheese plate ensure that the plate is ready to go and set out at least 1 -2 hours before so that the cheese gets to the proper temperature.

Your guests will be impressed when they walk in the door and are offered a beverage with in 5 minutes, hor d’oeuvres are visible and at the proper temperature, you’re confident, prepared and are able to enjoy their company without becoming frantic.

Whether you are entertaining 2, 4 or 8 people take pride in what you are offering for chances are, you’ll have a much better time entertaining at home when you do it properly.

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