It's easier for you to look clumsy when brushing food with a knife and fork. However, at dinner parties, in restaurants or at formal occasions, you should use these cutlery in a classic way. There's the European (or Continental) style and then there's the American style. Which style do you prefer?
Step
Part 1 of 3: European Style (Continental)
Step 1. Know that the fork is on the left side of the plate and the knife is on the right
If you have more than one fork, the one on the outside is the salad fork and the one on the inside is the fork for the main course. The fork for the main course will be larger than the fork for the salad.
We'll cover table setting in the last section. For now, let's concentrate on how to hold your cutlery and start eating! Of course the right way
Step 2. To cut food on a plate, lift and hold the knife in your right hand
The index finger is almost straight and is located near the base of the blunt back of the knife. The other four fingers clasped around the handle of the knife. When your index finger is on the back of the knife, align your thumb at the side. The tip of the knife handle should touch the base of your palm.
This step is the same in both styles, European and American, and both are for right handed users. If you're left-handed, try to replace almost everything you've read on this topic
Step 3. Hold the fork in your left hand
Fork teeth away (face down) from you. The index finger is straight and pressed against the back side near the head of the fork, but not so close that you risk touching the food with your finger. The other four fingers grip the handle of the fork.
This method is often referred to as the "hidden handle" method because your hand more or less covers the entire grip, hiding it from view
Step 4. Bend your wrist, so that your index finger points down toward the plate
This step also makes the edges of the knife and fork point slightly toward the plate. Your elbows should be relaxed and not raised very high in the air or in an uncomfortable position.
When doing this, usually your elbows shouldn't be on the table at all times. However, if you're taking a break from using your cutlery and are in an informal situation, there's no need to think too much about it
Step 5. Hold the food with a fork by applying pressure through the index finger
If you are cutting, place the knife close to the base of the fork and cut in a sawing motion. Foods like pasta only require quick and easy chopping motions. While the meat is chewy will require more energy. In general, just cut a bite or two at a time.
Hold the fork so the teeth are curved toward you, with the knife farther away from you than the fork. Holding it at an angle is fine too -- just make sure you can see the knife clearly to know where you're cutting. You should be able to see the knife through the fork
Step 6. Bring the small pieces of food into your mouth using a fork
In this style of eating, bring the fork to your mouth with the fork teeth curved down. The back of the fork will be facing up when you bring it to your mouth.
Keep the fork in your left hand, even if your dominant hand is right. You may find that the European way is more efficient if you try both ways of eating
Part 2 of 3: American Style
Step 1. When cutting, hold the fork in your left hand
Unlike the continental way, the American way of using a fork is more like holding a pen. The fork grip rests in your hand between your thumb and index finger, your middle finger and thumb grip the base of the fork handle and your index finger rests on it. Again, the fork teeth face down, arching away from you.
Step 2. Hold the knife in the right hand only when cutting food
This hand positioning is the same as the style discussed earlier -- with the index finger along the base of the knife and the other fingers clasped around the handle.
Step 3. Make the cut
Hold the food with a fork (tooth facing down), then cut the food with a knife in a slow sawing motion. The fork should be closer to you than the knife. Only cut a bite or two before continuing with the meal.
Step 4. Now change hands
This is the main difference between the two styles: after cutting one bite, place the knife on the edge of the plate (blade at 12 o'clock and handle at 3 o'clock) and move the fork from left to right. Turn it over so the fork is curved upwards and eat your food. Tada!
This method is a commonly used method when America first became America. Europe used to use it, but since then it has changed direction and prefers a more efficient way. However, this endeavor didn't really make a difference across continents, there are still differences in the way knives and forks are used in different parts of Europe
Step 5. In addition to cutting, eat with the fork in your right hand, the fork tooth facing up
If you eat food that doesn't need to be cut, keep the fork in your right hand at all times. The teeth of the fork may face down as you eat food, but will generally return to face up most of the time. But be aware that this can be a problem only in very formal situations. For example if you eat with the President who is sitting across from you. Apart from that, there's no need to worry.
Your cutlery should not touch the table. If you're only using a fork, make sure the knife is along the edge of the plate. When you put down the fork, place the handle on the edge of the plate, the teeth of the fork close to the center of the plate
Part 3 of 3: Additional Rules for Dinner
Step 1. Understand table setting
For 95% of the food, you may only need to use a knife, fork and spoon. However, for extravagant occasions, you may find some other cutlery and wonder what you should do with it. Here's a rough outline:
- The four-piece setting consists of a knife, salad fork, main fork (main dish), main knife, and teaspoon for coffee. The salad fork will be on the outside and smaller than your main fork.
- A five-piece setting is all that is mentioned above plus one soup spoon. The soup spoon will be much larger than the teaspoon for your coffee.
- A six-piece setting consists of a fork and knife for an appetizer (on the outside), a fork and knife for the main course, and a fork for dessert or salad and a teaspoon for coffee. The last two tools will be the smallest.
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The seven-piece setting is everything mentioned above plus one soup spoon. A soup spoon will be much larger than a coffee teaspoon and not a knife or fork.
- If you've ever found a small fork on your right (forks usually never go to the right), it's a clam fork.
- Cutlery is usually placed in the order in which it is used. When in doubt, start with the utensil located on the outside and work your way up to the one closest to the plate.
Step 2. When you only pause between each bite, put your cutlery in a resting position
There are two different ways to show the waiter that you haven't finished your meal:
- European style: Cross knife and fork on a plate, fork over knife, fork tooth facing down. Both should form an inverted "V".
- American style: The knife is near the top of the plate, the blade is at 12 o'clock and the handle is at 3 o'clock. The fork is placed with the teeth facing up, just slightly angled from your body.
Step 3. When you are done eating, put your cutlery in the finished position
This lets the waiter know that the plate can be cleaned (if he knows). Again, the two methods include:
- European style: Knife and fork parallel to each other, handle at 5 o'clock, blade and fork tooth in the center of the plate (fork tooth facing down).
- American style: Same as European style, only the fork teeth are facing up.
Step 4. Get around small sized foods like rice and the like
You need to lift the small items with a fork in a slightly spoonful manner, instead of needlessly stabbing them. The American way in general prefers to rely entirely on the fork (again, less efficient), while the European style sometimes uses the help of a knife or slice of bread for scooping.
Step 5. To eat pasta, roll it with a fork
If you have a spoon, catch a few strands of pasta with a fork and roll up the pasta, with the fork resting on the base of the spoon. If the noodles are too long and cumbersome, you can cut them with a knife if necessary. However, before you go overboard with it, just try to take a little bit of pasta in one roll. And make sure there are ready-to-use napkins nearby.
