Forks you may
recognize: Fork #2 is a Dinner Fork and Fork #3 is a Salad Fork. In
this map, the main course will come before the salad, so the salad fork is
pictured closer to the plate. That is a European tradition often used in
very formal meals. Most of the time you will see those two forks
reversed, with the Dinner Fork closest to the plate. Sometimes both
Dinner and Salad Forks will be exactly the same size, so again, start with the
fork on the outside.
Above
the plate is the Dessert Fork. (Yay!) Don't despair if you don't see a Dessert
Fork when you are seated at the table. Sometimes the Dessert Fork arrives
on the plate with dessert.
What
is that funky, curvy fork to the far left? Fork #1 is a Fish Fork. Its shape is
instrumental in helping separate the fish on your plate from the bones.
(I know some find it disturbing when your third course is looking back at you,
but that's the way of it.)
Our
last fork, tiny little Fork #8 is the first fork in the meal. It's a
Seafood Fork, also known as a Cocktail Fork. You may see this resting in the
bowl of your Soup Spoon when the First Course is a Seafood Course, such as
shrimp cocktail or scallops. Notice this fork has three prongs. A
similar fork with two prongs is an Escargot Fork.
For
you fork snobs, there is also a Lobster Fork, Oyster Fork, Fruit Fork,
Strawberry Fork, Pastry Fork and Ice Cream Fork (which we have mentioned before
looks a lot like its hillbilly cousin, the "Spork.") Now that
you are in the know, keep it under wraps from anyone about to go crazy with a
Bridal Registry.
This tip was provided by: the Culture and Manners Institute at http://www.cultureandmanners.com/