Hotel Supply

Guide To Choosing Dinnerware

Choosing a dinnerware is an exciting task! Consider it in many ways. We sort out some common questions about how to choose cutlery, hoping to help you find the perfect style for yourself.

What are some simple ways to determine quality in dinnerware?

You can determine the quality of porcelain and fine china with a few simple tests:

1.Hold the piece up to the light and you should be able to see the shadow of your hand behind the porcelain.

2.Flick the plate with your fingers and listen for a resonant ring.

3.Examine the color and make sure the glaze is even; the finish should be smooth and lustrous.

What dinnerware styles are available?

Generally, dinnerware is broken down into casual and formal collections.   From there, you can choose between four major styles: solid (meaning one color throughout, with no pattern), banded, patterned, and handpainted.

If you’re looking for something with a monogram or in a specific color, take a look at our custom dinnerware collections.

And for outdoor entertaining, there are also outdoor dinnerware collections available.

How many dinnerware collections do I need?

In making this decision, we suggest considering the size of your family, the type of entertaining you are most likely to do (formal seated dinners or buffet brunches), and the complexity of your menus. Many people choose to have at least one casual collection for everyday use and one formal collection for selected occasions (usually porcelain).

How many settings do I need?

We recommend registering for twelve five-piece place settings, as these will see you through most dinner parties. These five-piece settings typically include a dinner plate, salad or dessert plate, bread and butter plate, tea cup, and tea saucer. On more casual collections, you will sometimes see four-piece settings available. These normally include a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and mug. While you may not always be entertaining for twelve, having additional pieces will guarantee that you have spares when items break or unexpected guests show up. From time to time, collections or specific pieces do get discontinued, so if you love a piece, buy it while you can.

What is included in a five-piece place setting?

A five-piece formal setting consists of a dinner plate, salad plate, bread/butter plate, teacup, and saucer.

What is included in a four-piece place setting?

On more casual collections, you will sometimes see four-piece settings available. These normally include a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and mug.

What are standard dinnerware sizes?

Sizes sometimes vary slightly among different collections, but they are generally as follows:

Also known as chargers or buffet plates, presentation plates are oversized plates (12″ diameter) designed to add color and style to your table setting. These are usually removed before the main course is served, although they are also frequently used as buffet dinner plates since they can hold larger quantities of food.

What kinds of serving pieces do I need?

When registering for dinnerware, it is easy to overlook serving pieces. However, these items are not only great for unifying your collection, they are necessities that will be essential for cooking, entertaining, and everyday dining. We recommend the following as a starting point:

1.Two to three serving dishes

2.Two serving bowls or salad bowls

3.One covered casserole dish

4.One cake platter (or better yet, a cake stand for a better presentation)

5.One tea and/or coffee service (this should include the teapot or coffee pot, creamer, and sugar bowl)

How do I care for my dinnerware?

Most dinnerware items are microwave and dishwasher safe, unless they are decorated with gold or silver.  We recommend hand washing for larger pieces, handpainted collections, or items with gold or platinum decoration. Items with metallic decoration should not be microwaved.

Article from:https://www.graciousstyle.com