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A charger, also referred to as a service plate or an underplate, is larger than a dinner plate and is used for decorative purposes. They were primarily used to protect the table from hot plates and date back to the 15th century. Chargers vary in size from 11-14″ in diameter, most traditionally made of silver or porcelain. Food is never served on a charger. Instead, the dinner plate with food on it is placed on top of the charger. Plates for all of the courses served, except dessert (“pudding” in English vernacular), may be placed on the charger. In essence, if a charger is used throughout dinner, it will remain on the table and is only removed before the dessert is served. The charger may also be used solely for the purpose of decorating the place setting visually for guests, and then, it may be removed prior to the first course being

When attending an informal dinner, if you observe that the place setting includes a dessert fork and spoon placed together, centered on top of the dinner plate, the good news is that you are definitely going to be served dessert, or “pudding” as it is lovingly referred to in England! The quandary for some is knowing which one to pick up. The simple answer is that you pick up both! Once dessert is served and you see the hostess has picked up her fork and spoon, then you follow suit by placing the fork in your left hand, tines side down, and placing the spoon in your right hand. The fork is used as a kind of “pusher” to place the dessert into the spoon, and then you eat from the spoon. Most guests choose to pick up either the fork or the spoon, instead of picking them both up

A classic salt cellar is a diminutive container filled with salt for a formal dinner. It is a charming, traditional accessory for an elegant place setting. A Peek at Salt History Salt cellars have been around since ancient Rome. Salt was a prized possession, and in the Middle Ages, a large silver dish of salt was considered a status symbol. It was placed prominently in front of the host to indicate his prosperity. Soon, smaller petite sized salt receptacles were created for dinner guests to share. In the 1600s, small salt spoons were designed to accompany each salt cellar. In the Victorian era, an individual salt cellar was displayed for each guest to have at the table, and considered quite vogue. In the early 20th century, “salt shakers” were developed when anti-clumping salt was invented. If you attend a dinner party and an individual (not shared) salt cellar is above your place setting without a