How is the perfect elegant or modern mise en place? How to set the table with elegance, following the etiquette, arranging plates, glasses and cutlery correctly? Let’s see it together, discovering not only how plates and glasses are arranged according to tradition, but also following some creative ideas.
Mise en place what is it? Meaning
Let’s start from the beginning by explaining briefly what is the mise en place. It is a French term that literally means “setting in place” and indicates the complete preparation of the table set up for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
The etiquette in the mise en place
There perfect mise en place follows the rules of etiquette. The table setting must therefore be done taking into account some very precise rules regarding the position of the plates, dishes, glasses and napkins.
The elegant mise en place
Shutterstock Photo | Eshma
It starts from tablecloth, which must be cleaned and ironed. For each guest there is a placemat, a dinner plate, possibly a soup plate and a placeholder. The napkin can be placed in the center of the soup plate, or to the right of it, half a centimeter from the edge of the table. It should be folded in a simple way.
The large knife it must be placed to the right of the napkin and at the same height as it, with the blade facing inwards. There large fork goes to the left of the plate. The glass for wine red should be placed about one cm from the tip of the large knife. The glass for water or for white wine it should be placed to the right of the first, diagonally, slightly closer to the edge of the table.
You can also add a saucer for bread, with a small knife to spread the butter. It should be placed to the left of the main course, next to the fork, but a little further from the edge. The small knife must have the blade facing outwards with respect to the host.
Shutterstock Photo | JPliatsushok
If you use double crockery they will be positioned like this: the second knife goes to the right next to the first. The second fork goes to the left of the first, but a little higher. The spoon (small for broth or soups in a cup, large for soups served in a deep plate) can be placed on the right, outside or between the knives, depending on which dishes make up the menu.
The dessert cutlery they are arranged above the napkin, parallel to the edge of the table. Typically, a fork with the handle on the left and a teaspoon with the handle on the right are placed. For creams, ice creams, parfaits, add a coffee spoon with the handle on the right.
For the fresh fruit you place a small knife and a fork, the first one closest to the edge of the table, with the handle on the right and the cutting part downwards. The second higher, with the handle on the left. You can then place flowers and decorations along the table to personalize your mise en place and make it even more elegant.
Creative mise en place
Shutterstock Photo | Nicolene17900
To make your mise en place is creative you can set the table following a predominant color and related shades, or play on contrasts. For example, if you want to follow the Pantone 2021 fashion colors, set up the table in yellow and gray. Or you can set the table with a main theme, such as pumpkins and chestnuts if it is autumn, marine elements or colored fruits if it is summer, snowflakes if it is winter or buds and flowers if it is spring.
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