The Correct Way to Serve and Pass Food

TUESDAY'S FOOD TIP

Professional waiters are trained to serve. But the rest of us need a few tips to remember the correct way to serve and pass food.



Whenever setting the table for a dinner party remember - liquids on the right, solids on the left. That makes it easy to remember that the salad plate should go to the left of the dinner plate, while the water or wine glass goes on the right.

But how do you know which side to serve from, and which direction to pass the food at the table?

That's easy, too.

If guests are seated at the table when it is time to serve them - serve from the left. Remove plates from the right.

Liquids are to the right of the guests, so pour water or other liquids into the glasses while standing to the right of your guest.

To pass food around the table - pass it clockwise (that is, from your right to your left).

And did you know this? It isn't considered good form to simply "hand" your guest the salt and pepper shakers when you pass them. Instead, you should set the shakers down on the table in front of the guest you have passed them to.


"Never eat anything whose listed ingredients cover more than one-third of the package." - Joseph Leonard