Silverware Placement

To know which utensils to use is determined by the course or courses that will be served.  As a general rule, butter spreaders and dessert utensils are displayed for more formal settings.

Knife:  is placed on the immediate right side of the plate with the blade facing the plate.

Teaspoon:  is placed on the right side of the knife.

Soup Spoon:  is placed on the right side of the teaspoon.

Fork:  Is placed on the immediate left side of the place.

Salad Fork:  is placed on the left side of the fork.

Butter Spreader:  is placed diagonally on the butter plate placed on the upper left corner of the setting.

Dessert Fork:  is centered directly above the dinner plate with the prongs facing right.

Dessert Spoon:  is placed above and parallel to the dessert fork with the bowl facing left.