Dinnerware

While it may be second nature for some on how to set your flatware on a table, for many it can be quite confusing. Not only do you need to figure out where everything belongs on your dinner table, you may not know what some flatware items are even called! Below is a glossary of flatware single pieces as well as serving pieces that should help clear up any confusion.

Single Pieces

• Teaspoon - Traditonally used for coffee, tea, and desserts.
• Place Spoons - Generally used for soups, cereals, desserts, and entrees. They are quite versatile and can also be used as a serving spoon.
• Dinner Forks - Typically used for the main dinner entree.
• Salad Forks - Typically used for the salad portion of dinner, but can also be used for appetizers or desserts.
• Dinner Knives - These utensils are used for the main dinner entree, as well as spreading butter or other condiments.
• Beverage Spoons - These spoons, also called iced tea spoons, are usually used to stir iced beverages that are served in a tall glass. However, they can also be used for desserts, such as ice cream.
• Butter Knives - Used for spreading butter and are typically an additional piece to the 5 piece place setting.
• Dessert Forks - Typically used for eating desserts, such as cake.

Serving Pieces

• Tablespoon - Typically used for serving vegetables or other dishes. Although they look similar to place spoons, they are slightly larger and more practical for serving.
• Pierced Tablespoons - Although similar to a regular tablespoon this piece has multiple piercings in the bowl. These are typically used to serve items that need to be drained before serving, such as vegetables.
• Meat Forks - Typically used for serving meats, cold cuts or cheeses.
• Asparagus Servers - Designed for serving bunches of long fresh vegetables including asparagus, zucchini, celery, and carrot sticks.
• Cake / Pastry Servers - Typically used to serve desserts, such as homemade apple pie or chocolate mousse cake.
• Cake Knives - A large knife used to slice large cakes and pies.
• Serving Fork - A large fork used to serve vegetables, meats, potatoes and more.
• Serving Spoon - A large spoon used to serve vegetables, potatoes and more.
• Punch Ladles - The perfect utensil for serving your favorite party beverage.
• Gravy Ladle -This ladle is perfect for serving sauces, particularly gravies around the holidays.
• Cake Tongs - This serving piece is perfect for serving the tastiest cakes.
• Lasagna Tongs - This serving piece makes it easier to serve your favorite version of this classic Italian dish.
• Pasta Scoop - This piece is perfect for serving spaghetti and other pasta dishes.
• Salad Fork - Use this utensil with a salad spoon to toss and serve your salad.
• Salad Spoon - When used with a salad fork this spoon is great for tossing and serving salads.
• Salad Tongs - This piece comes in handy when serving salad.
• Servall - With this multi-faceted tool you'll be able to serve slices of pie, cake, and more.
• Spreader - With a spreader you can spread butter, dip, cheese and more on your favorite crackers or bread.
• Sugar Spoon - Essential for sweetening coffee and tea with sugar.