Dining etiquette & cutlery

Dining is more than just enjoying the taste of food; it also involves social interaction and experiences with others.

Good table manners can enhance even the simplest of meals. Whether it is handling the fork and knife correctly or placing them on the plate appropriately. These small yet significant details can contribute to a positive and enjoyable dining experience.

It is acknowledged that traditional cutlery, designed for hunting purposes millions of years ago, needs more adaptability to meet the demands of modern etiquette dining. Its rigid design leads to an uncomfortable grip, making it challenging to maintain proper hold positions, resulting in many people disregarding the conventions of appropriate etiquette.

How to use knife and fork correctly according to British etiquette 

1- Holding Correctly

The fork should be held in your left hand with the tines facing down, while the knife should be held in your right hand with the cutting edge facing down. If left-handed, you can switch positions, even though the table is set traditionally for right-handed.

2- Maintain a Firm Grip 

Keep your index fingers straight and rest them near the head, in the depression of the fork for M Cailloux Cutlery. Your thumb should hold the side of the handle, while your middle finger should slide under it. The end of the handle should rest close to your wrist, hidden from view.

3- Position of elbows, wrists and hands

Your elbows should be relaxed, not up in the air. They should be off the table while eating. Keep your hands down near the plate. Bend your wrist, making your index fingers and the tip of the knife and fork point towards the plate. Refrain from using your cutlery to gesticulate at other guests. Only the fork goes from the plate to your mouth.

4- Cutting Techniques 

Secure the piece of food with the fork by applying pressure through your index finger. Place the knife's blade near the fork's tines and make a sawing motion to cut. Keep the tines facing downward and slowly bring a small portion of food to your mouth. The knife should be kept close to the cutting position. 

5- Pausing while eating.

Place your knife and fork in an upside-down "V" formation with the tips meeting in the centre of the plate. This signals you are temporarily pausing your meal but intend to continue eating soon.

6- Finished eating

Place your cutlery parallel to each other across the middle of the plate with the handles resting on the rim, in a "six o'clock position", to indicate you have finished eating and are ready for the plate to be cleared. 

Your table manners can now be effortlessly mastered with M Cailloux cutlery, designed to fit your hand anatomy for comfortable and easy gripping, display exceptional table manners effortlessly, and ensure a fantastic dining experience.