A Guide to Setting a Table.

Katelyn Williamson, Enna Diaz, Omar Correa, Henry Lopez

University of North Texas

Main Overview
There are multiple ways of setting a table. Whether you are planning a formal dinner or just want
to make the table look nice. The instructions below cover different table settings for breakfast,
lunch, appetizers, dinner and dessert. This whole process should take about 10 to 35 minutes
total to do all place settings.
Preparing the table for breakfast
Various meals are eaten at breakfast. Cereal and oatmeal being the lighter of the choices do not
require much preparation. In contrast, a full English breakfast is heavier. It is defined by its use
of meats such as bacon, ham, and sausage; and side dishes such as toast, eggs, and tomatoes. The
following place setting uses a full English breakfast as an example of how to set a table for
breakfast.
Materials
The following material are required

Plate

Fork

Knife

Napkin

Mug

Placemat
Instructions

Begin by setting places and seats for each individual.

1. Place a placemat in front of each seat
2. Place a plate in the center of each placemat

3. On the left of the plate

a. Place a fork to the left of the plate
b. Place a napkin to the left of the fork
4. On the right of the plate
a. Place a knife to the right of the plate
5. On the top right of the plate
a. Place a mug
6. Collect plate, mug, serve food, and enjoy
Preparing the table for lunch
There are various ways of setting a table for lunch. The complexity of the setting will depend on
the formality of the meal and what is being served. The instructions below are for an informal
lunch with soup and salad being served.
Materials
The following materials are required

Fork

Plate

Knife

Soup bowl

Spoon

Small plate for

soup bowl

Cup

Napkin

Placemat
Instructions

1. Place the placemat centered with the persons chair

2. Put the salad plate in the middle of the placemat
3. To the right of the salad plate
a. Place the butter knife directly next to the plate
b. Place the soup spoon next to the knife
c. Set the water glass above the tip of the knife
4. To the left of the plate
a. Place the napkin next to the plate
b. Put the fork on top of the napkin
c. Place a small plate directly above the fork that is large enough for the soup
bowl
d. Place the soup bowl on top of the small plate
Preparing the table for appetizer
The use of a serving platter simplifies large meals. The instructions below demonstrate how a
appetizer would be arranged by using meatballs as an example.

Materials

Plate

Toothpick

Serving platter

Cup

Napkin

Placemat
Instructions

1. Place serving platter in center of table

2. Place placemats on the table
3. Place plates on each placemat
4. Place napkins next to plates on left side
5. Set a cup on upper right side of plate for a beverage
6. Place toothpicks in or by the platter for access
Preparing the table for dinner
This dinner set up is for a full course dinner, which uses two forks.
Materials

Forks (x2)

Plate

Napkin

Knife

Cup

Bowl
5

Placemat

Instructions
1. Place a placemat in front of the chair
2. Place the plate in the center of the placemat
3. On the right of the plate, place the dinner knife
4. On the left side of the plate, place a fork
5. On the left side of the existing fork, place another fork
6. Place a cup to the upper right corner of the plate
7. Place a napkin on top of the plate
Preparing the table for dessert
Desserts are treats served out at the end of dinner, so preparing for dessert is simpler than other
meals. The instructions below demonstrate how the table should be set for dessert.
Materials

Fork

Plate

Cup

Napkin

Placemat
Instructions

1. Set a placemat centered with the table chair

2. Place plate in center of placemat
3. Put napkin on the left side of plate
4. Put fork on top of napkin

5. Place a cup for beverage on the upper right side of plate

6. Serve chocolate cake
Conclusion
By having all utensils and platters in an orderly fashion, the diners and host have a pleasurable
experience eating. Setting a table isnt required, as some meals dont require much preparation
other than a plate, fork, and napkin. Ultimately, setting a table provides ease of access to utensils
and food, potentially saving yourself time from cleaning messes.