Personal Development

• Dining Etiquette


  A set of rules that govern the expectations of social and dining behavior in a workplace, group or society
• Table manners


  Visible signs that you are a polished and knowledgeable professional
• Interviewing Meals


  1. Arrive at least 10 minutes early

  2. Employers need to trust you can represent them in social settings

  3. The focus is on the interview, not the food
• Table Settings


  • Solids to the left, liquids to the right
  • Pick up silverware from the outside in
  • Put napkin on lap as soon as host does
• Formal Ordering


  1. Take your lead from your host

  2. Do not order the most expensive item

  3. Order something easy to eat and not messy

  4. Do not order alcohol
• Utensils


  • Do not make a fist around the handle
  • Continental style: cut food one bite at a time, use fork in left hand
  • American Standard style: cut food a few bites at a time, lay knife across plate
• Service


  1. Wait for host to pick up fork to eat first

  2. Wait until everyone is served before beginning

  3. Never reach across, always ask for it to be passed

  4. Salt and pepper are always passed together

  5. Food is served from the left, dishes cleared from the right

  6. Everything gets passed to the right
• When You Are Finished

  1. Place fork and knife at 4:00/10:00 position

  2. Leave plate where it is

  3. Used napkin goes next to plate

  4. Do not ask for doggy bag or toothpick
• Special Needs/Allergies, Dietary Restrictions

  • Tell host when accepting invitation
  • Call ahead to new restaurant
  • Never make this a topic of conversation
• Common Sense Etiquette
• Success in job depends 85% on people skills and 15% on technical knowledge
• When In Doubt:: 'Smile - it is the ultimate gesture understood by all'
• Utensils


  Set in the order they will be used according to the courses on the menu, going from the outside in toward the main service plate
• Spoons and knives


  • On the right
• Forks


  • On the left
• Grip on a spoon

  Held like a pencil
• Grip on a knife


  Used as a cutting implement, with index finger on the joint between handle and blade
• Grip on a fish knife

  Held like a pencil
• American style of dining

  Switch fork and knife after cutting, bring food to mouth with fork in right hand
• European style of dining

  Keep knife in right hand, pivot left hand to bring food to mouth, elbows close to body, wrists resting on table
• Silent service code (American style)

  Knife and fork spaced apart = not finished, knife and fork in 10:20 position = finished
• Silent service code (European style)

  Knife and fork crisscrossed = not finished, knife and fork in 10:20 position = finished