At the table in Italy, important deals are concluded, grandiose weddings are played, modest birthdays and magnificent anniversaries are celebrated. Even local sayings like a tavola prese moglie un frate (“a monk got married at a table in company”) or a tavola ci si invecchia (“one grows old at a table”) clearly illustrate the epic length of typically Italian feasts.

Therefore, it is not surprising that it was in Italy, with the love for beauty, large companies and good cuisine genetically embedded in the country’s inhabitants, that the very concept of “the joy of feasting” (gioie della tavola) could appear. And table setting can transform into a real art worthy of imitation!

Enterprising Italians even published a kind of “encyclopedia” of advice for all occasions called Galateo. Among the sensible recommendations regarding behavior, clothing and manners of conversation, which are sometimes still followed in the Apennines, there were also recommendations for serving - all from the pen of the Florentine priest and writer Monsignor Giovanni della Casa.

Galateo And such an unusual name - Galateo - the Italian “Domostroy” owes to the friend of the author of the book, the priest Galeazzo (in the Latin manner of Galatheus) Florimonte, known in that era for his impeccable manners and delicate taste. ((WIDGET-601))

But, of course, neither the manners of the Italians nor the table setting were always impeccable - they came to perfection in Italy gradually. For example, in the same Ancient Rome they did not know forks, and women were instructed to gracefully (!) take food with their hands, trying not to get dirty... And an ordinary napkin has experienced a real evolution since the times of the Ancient Roman Empire: from a bundle in which guests were taken home remnants of a dinner party, to a practical accessory that has become an indispensable decorative element of any tastefully set table.

You may ask, what is so special about Italian serving? Here are a few golden rules that are usually followed in Italy:

1.Tablecloth and napkins. It is better if they are the same color, preferably white or one of the pastel shades (Italians generally prefer light colors). Napkins are placed to the left of the dishes; for informal dinners, it is also permissible to place the napkin to the right of the dish or directly on the plates (if the napkin is equipped with a special ring or decorative ribbon).

Ring on a napkin

It is curious that among the older generation of women in Italy, the most luxurious tablecloths are still considered to be those made from Flemish linen (historical regionon the territory of modern France, Belgium and the Netherlands).

2. Devices. If you inherited a set of silver cutlery from your grandmother, then quickly take it out of your chest: silver, especially vintage silver, has always been held in high esteem in Italy.

Antique silver Count on a fork and knife for each new dish. If you are serving fish appetizers, then place a special fork for the fish first on the left side of the dish; a fish knife, more like a scoop, should always lie to the right of a regular knife. If you are serving soup, do not forget about tablespoons; if you are preparing a creamy dessert, do not forget about miniature dessert spoons. Unusual utensils, for example, for game or snails, are usually served separately on a tray, directly with the unusual dish.

It is curious that in noble Italian families it was customary to place forks with the tines down so that the family coat of arms, which decorated the handle of the forks on the reverse side, was visible.

3. Dishes. Ideally, all the plates will be white and only the decorative dishes underneath them will be made of silver. Galateo allows the table to be served exclusively with dessert plates and dishes for the second, suggesting that the soup will be served in deep plates directly to the table.

It is curious that in Italy many people often and mistakenly serve pasta (which, like risotto, is considered the first course in the Apennines) in deep plates, when regular dishes should be used.

How to serve pasta, point 3

4. Glasses/accessories. Give preference to goblet-shaped glasses. Galateo requires one slightly larger glass for water and two glasses for wine: medium for red and smaller for white. Always “arrange” the glasses in a triangle shape according to their “height”: from the smallest, located immediately next to the dish, to the largest, away from the plates.

Glasses

It's interesting thatEven the most elegant tables sometimes have room for coasters, although Galateo strongly advises against them. But the real accessories non grata in Italy are ashtrays, which have no place on the table.

5. Bread plate. Surely, for many, its location is one of the biggest blind spots in the matter of serving. So, this mysterious bread plate should be placed to the left of the main dishes, on the heart side, to make it easier for you to remember.

Bread plate If you place plates for bread, then give preference to single-serve bread rather than sliced ​​bread. If there is no special plate for bread on the table, then it is quite acceptable to place it directly on the tablecloth, but in no case on the edge of the plate from which you eat.

It is curious that on the occasion of a wedding, the tables at the festive reception are set with special chic, giving preference to silver, porcelain and crystal. Bread plates at especially lavish weddings, as well as cutlery and coasters, are made of pure silver, where small loaves of bread are “hidden” under linen napkins.

And if you don’t have the time or even the desire to set the table according to all the canons of bon ton, then there is one in the Apennines secret, which is definitely worth taking into account! Italians always give preference to everything simple and natural - both in food and in “scenery”. Therefore, the central composition of the table, centrotavola in Italian, from fresh flowers or plants in an unusual vase, will certainly transform the most ordinary table set for a weekday dinner. And we again owe this secret to Galateo!

Bouquet

And, no matter how your table is set, bon appetit, buonappetito! Although according to the strict rules of Galateo, this very wish before a meal is simply the height of indecency.

The inhabitants of this sunny country have a genetically endowed love for beauty, cheerful and carefree companies and, of course, excellent cuisine. It was in Italian families that such a concept as “the joy of the feast” appeared. All residents claim that the skill of setting a festive table is a real art that many want to imitate!

Recently, a unique and original “encyclopedia” of advice from Italians has become extremely popular. In this encyclopedia you can find solutions for all occasions, where quite a significant place is devoted to the rules of behavior, clothing and manners of conversation. In addition, here you will find useful and previously unknown tips on table setting from a variety of Italian masters of their craft.

But, despite the fact that at this stage of development the Italians are distinguished by their special, refined manners of behavior, they had to go through a rather difficult path for this, on which various obstacles awaited them. Once upon a time in Ancient Rome there were no forks: women had to take food with their hands, but at the same time they tried not to get dirty. If at first in the empire of Ancient Rome a completely ordinary napkin was in the form of a simple bundle that guests could take home, where they packed the leftover food after dinner. The napkin then evolved into a very practical accessory that became an indispensable decorative element on every Italian table.

Among the features of Italian serving, it is necessary to remember several of the most important rules that all Italians adhere to:

Firstly, we are talking about tablecloths and napkins. It is advisable that they be the same color (it will be especially great if they are pastel shades) or they will be combined in color. The Italians themselves give their preference exclusively to light colors at the table. Napkins should be on the left side of the dishes, but if we are talking about an informal feast, then you can also place the napkin on the right side or even on the plate itself. In this case, the napkin should be decorated using a special serving ring or decorative ribbon.

The older generation of women in this country give their preference exclusively to tablecloths made from Flemish linen. It is this historical area that is the main producer of high-quality and beautiful tablecloths.

Secondly, Italians pay great attention to appliances. An excellent option would be silver or vintage cutlery, which was once used by our ancestors. For each new dish, a special fork and knife should be thought out. When serving fish appetizers, you must place a special fork on the right, and a scoop-shaped knife to the left of the place for a regular knife. If we are talking about serving soup, then it is necessary to provide tablespoons, but in the case of a creamy dessert, miniature-sized dessert spoons are used. When serving game or snails to the festive table, they must be placed on separate trays.

According to Italian tradition, forks should be placed with the tines down so that the family coat of arms can be seen. This was due to the fact that the family's coat of arms is on the reverse side of the fork itself.

Thirdly, when serving, you need to pay attention to the plates themselves. They must be white, but decorative dishes must be made of silver. The encyclopedia of “good manners” advises setting out dessert plates and dishes for the second person, because traditions include serving soup in separate, specially prepared deep plates.

In order to serve pasta you need to use regular dishes, but despite this, Italians very often serve it in soup bowls. This serving is due to the fact that the inhabitants of the Apennines consider pasta, just like risotto, to be first courses.

Fourthly, Italians place special importance on glasses/accessories. Cup-shaped glasses are extremely popular. On the festive table there should be: one glass intended for water, as well as two glasses intended for wine (it should be said that a medium-sized glass is intended for red wine, but a smaller glass is intended for serving white wine). All three glasses must be built “by height”, in accordance with the size. Refined Italian table settings include special coasters for glasses, although serving experts advise avoiding them. But the most important rule remains that ashtrays can under no circumstances be present on the table.

Fifthly, the presence of a bread plate is very important for Italian table setting. As for the correct location of this plate, it should be said that it should be on the left side of the main dishes. When serving bread, you should give preference to bread in small portions rather than cut into pieces. If such a special plate is not provided on the holiday table, then the bread can simply be placed on the tablecloth, and not on the edge of the plate in which you eat.

If we are talking about a wedding table, then its setting is especially chic: Italians give preference to silver, porcelain and crystal dishes. On such a table, linen napkins with small loaves of bread placed under them will look great.

If you don’t have enough time to adequately prepare for setting the festive table, the Italians advise using everything simple and natural, which will also look pretty good and elegant.

1. The first element that you should pay special attention to when setting a festive table is the tablecloth. It is advisable that it be white, clean and ironed, while the recommended fabric for the tablecloth is a mixture of linen and cotton.

2. The tablecloth should completely cover the table and hang down at least thirty centimeters.

3. The ideal color for plates would also be white, with the plates placed exactly in the middle of the place where the guest will sit. For the main plate or plates, it is recommended to use a trivet plate.

4. The bread plate is placed towards the left in front of the main plate.

5. The placement of cutlery is quite easy to remember; they are located exactly as they will be used when eating food. The knife should lie on the right, with the blade facing the plate.

6. Spoons are also always located on the right.

7. Forks are placed on the left.

8. If you plan to eat fruits and (or) desserts, then the cutlery for them is located in front of the main plate. In this case, the handles of the forks are placed on the left, and the handles of the knife and spoon on the right.

9. The number of cutlery must correspond to the number of dishes that are expected to be served to guests.

10. If there are oysters on the festive table menu, forks are also served on the right, not on the left.

11. The napkin should be located to the left of the forks. There is an option when the napkin is placed under the main plate, but this option seems less elegant to us.

12. The number of glasses should also correspond to the number of wines that are supposed to be placed on the table. In most cases, the following options are used: a water glass, a white wine or champagne glass, and a red wine glass.

13. If dessert wines are intended to be served, then glasses for them can also be placed directly when setting the table.

14. It is also necessary to take into account that approximately fifty centimeters of space must be provided for each guest.

15. Any additional decorations are placed on the table only if there is enough space for this. Otherwise, it is better to ignore additional aesthetics and leave more free space to make guests feel more comfortable.

16. If you decide to decorate the table, please note that the Christmas theme can be used during all holidays for lunches and dinners, including New Year's celebrations.

17. However, we advise you not to overdo it with the decoration of the festive table. Decorations should not overshadow the main process. The same rules are used when designing signs that are intended for seating guests.

18. In the case of the New Year's table, it is recommended to use more cheerful elements when decorating. The color scheme of the decoration can be selected using the following pairs of colors: red and white, red and gold, red and green, blue and silver.

All photos are from the Internet.

Traditional Easter breakfast

On Easter Sunday, Italian families gather around the same table, as Catholic Easter in Italy is celebrated with no less pomp than Christmas.

Easter Sunday begins with breakfast, which has its own traditions. In modern Italy, these are hard-boiled eggs, various smoked meats, cheese cake (pizza pasquale), Easter pie (colomba).

The setting and decoration of the festive table is treated with the utmost care.

On the occasion of Easter, both for breakfast and for the dinner table, much attention is paid to the selection of tablecloths, napkins, plates and cutlery.

When selecting textiles, preference is given to pastel colors such as pink-peach, blue, green or soft lilac. You can also follow the traditional Easter colors: yellow or orange. If you choose a white classic tablecloth, then plates decorated with floral motifs are placed on the table. Napkins are placed to match the tablecloth. For the Easter table they are used strictly from fabric. They are placed to the left of the dishes or directly on the plates (the napkin can be beautifully folded and decorated with an Easter theme).

Special attention is paid to table setting with cutlery. For this occasion, almost every Italian family has cutlery made of cupronickel or silver.

Preparing the table for Easter dinner

Since only meat dishes are served at the Easter table, the guest's place is served with only one knife and one fork. Dessert cutlery is laid out immediately after the guest's dish or served immediately before serving dessert and fruit.

Since the Easter lunch menu includes only meat appetizers and dishes, only red wine and water are placed on the table. Table setting with glass also depends on this. Provides one slightly larger glass for water and one glass for red wine. Glasses for water are placed behind the dish on the guest's right hand, and a little to the left behind him is a glass for wine.

On the occasion of a festive home dinner, every Italian housewife takes out a dinner service (usually a wedding gift). The table setting is usual, as for any lunch (depending on the dishes served). First, flat dishes are placed. In Italy, preference is given to dishes - 250 mm, 270 mm. Standard snack plates with a diameter of 200 mm are placed on them. Bread plates are served very rarely.

Place a decorated Easter composition in the middle of the table. And also each guest’s dish can have decorative figurines of chickens, lambs or small nests with eggs. Eggs for compositions are chosen decorative (wood, plastic) and if natural ones are used, then only quail ones.

The menu for the Easter table is different for each region of the country. It is varied, like all Italian cuisine.

Traditional Easter lunch

The main dish for Easter is usually fried or grilled meat. For centuries, the most popular dish for the Easter table in Italy has been grilled lamb with fried potatoes and artichokes. In different regions of Italy, lamb is prepared differently.

But dessert is usually the same for all regions. This is the Italian Easter cake “Colomba”, baked in the shape of a dove and chocolate eggs of various sizes.

There is always a joyful mood at the Easter table!

For a long time, table setting personified the respectful attitude of the owner of the house towards his guests. This ancient art developed in accordance with the traditions of a particular country. To properly decorate the table for a party, you need to follow simple rules and customs for serving dishes, arranging dishes and cutlery. Beautifully presented food brings more positive emotions and creates a special atmosphere.

Table setting in different countries of the world largely depends on national characteristics and the characteristics of receiving guests. In this article we will look at how the table is set in different countries of the world, and what are the features of this process.

Japanese style

Japanese table setting is one of the most difficult, as it has a number of differences from the European table setting we are used to. Bowls, trays, plates, deep cups, chopsticks - all this is an integral part of Japanese-style table setting. Such an abundance of elements may frighten an untrained guest, but after a while you will understand how convenient it is.

All necessary items (table, seats) are arranged according to the principle of asymmetry, which allows for free composition and visual expansion of the surrounding space.

There are several basic rules for Japanese serving:

• A separate place is prepared for each guest to mark it; it is customary to use special napkins or trays. Common dishes are placed in the center of the table, most often soup or hot dishes.

• Unlike the forks familiar to Russian residents, the Japanese use chopsticks - they are placed in front of the plate. Please note that the chopsticks should not come into contact with the dishes. For this purpose, wooden stands are used.

• Table etiquette suggests the following arrangement of dishes: a bowl of rice is placed on the right, and a bowl of soup is placed on the right side. Vegetables, meat and fish are placed on the right. In the middle there are various sauces and additives.

In Kazakh style

Most Kazakhs adhere to the ancient custom of dastarkhan - a meal convened for a common meal in honor of family, religious and other celebrations. A lost traveler cannot leave home without tasting the delicious dishes of Kazakh cuisine. The more majestic the design, the more noble its owner, the more generous the gifts of Allah will be for this family.

To decorate a table in the Kazakh style, first of all you need to cover it with a snow-white tablecloth with an amazing ornament. The choice of ornament reflects the thoughts of the owners and their attitude towards the guests. It is worth giving preference to classic models with colorful embroidered patterns; the length of the fabric must meet the established criterion - it should not fall below the level of the seats.

Recently, serving in the Kazakh style has begun to acquire more and more European features. One of these borrowed traditions was the design of napkins, folding them in a special way. To do this, choose bright, contrasting models and decorate them in the form of a “ship”. An example of this method can be seen in the photo below.

The main decoration of the table in the Kazakh style is a variety of colorful dishes. Its quantity and design are largely determined by the nature of the event. Objects reminiscent of the sun and moon are especially popular. It is desirable that the dishes be made of wood and decorated with ornaments appropriate to this people.

If we talk about the arrangement of dishes, then everything is simple: food is put on plates and placed in a circle.

Ancient Kazakh traditions determine the sequence and order of serving dishes:

• Serving begins with arranging tea utensils. Young girls place bowls in a circle, filling them with aromatic tea. In addition, oriental sweets, fruits and butter are placed on the saucers. Drinks and food are served later, after the host of the table has taken the first sip.

• The next stage is appetizers - these are all kinds of horse meat and lamb dishes. They are served with vegetables and small flatbreads. In some families, it is customary to treat invited relatives and friends with kumis.

• For the main course, guests are offered various meat dishes made from lamb offal (one of these is kuyrdak). If we are talking about a festive dinner, then the main guest should be served a boiled lamb head - it is divided equally among all guests.

On video: customs and traditions of the Kazakh people.

In Russian style

In ancient times, Russian table setting was distinguished by the sophistication of dishes, variety of decoration and unchanging order. Now our dishes and cutlery are not much different from European ones; they have completely lost their national flavor.

Under normal conditions, cookware is used from a variety of materials: plastic, wood, metal, glass, crystal, ceramics and porcelain. There are several types of plates - snack plates, deep dining plates, deep dessert plates, saucers, caviar plates.

Salad bowls can also come in different shapes and sizes; round or oval bowls with a capacity of up to 100 ml are often placed on the table.

A distinctive feature of Russian cuisine is the use of soups - deep plates designed for 4 to 10 servings. To recreate the Slavic ambiance, restaurants set tables with pottery, painted pots, and jugs.

Many designers note that ceramic and wooden painted dishes look very interesting as decoration.

Depending on the nature of the dishes and the type of event, the set of cutlery may also change. It can be a snack, fish, dessert, fruit or table. The latter option is also used at home with the addition of all kinds of serving items (spatulas, tweezers).

French style

In France, table setting also has a number of distinctive features. First of all, this is due to the country’s status as a trendsetter, the right style and good taste. The key theme of French style decor is romance. That is why this type of serving is most often used for dates. However, few people know how to properly recreate the atmosphere of France using cutlery, dishes, tablecloths and napkins.

The first rule is: pay attention to textiles. The French do not accept sitting down to the table without a snow-white tablecloth, lace napkins and interesting table runners. This does not mean at all that you need to spend a lot of money on buying a new tablecloth, the main thing is that it is fresh and perfectly ironed.

The surface can be decorated with a bright path, placing it in the center. For this purpose, various stoles, scarves or pareos are used.

What do you associate with romance? Most immediately thought of flowers. When decorating a table in a French style, you should give preference to bouquets of flowers with large buds. You can place a flower arrangement either in a small vase or on a special fruit stand.

If you're getting ready for dinner, don't forget about candles. Soft light will bring comfort and romance to your home and will please even the most picky guest. All additional decorative elements must match the color scheme. They can be in harmony with dishes or with a tablecloth and fruit bowl.

Another important element of table decoration in France is elegance. Antique candlesticks, crystal glasses and vintage cutlery will do.

On video: rules for setting the table in French.

Scandinavian style

Setting a table in Scandinavian style is not as difficult as it might seem. This type of decoration is characterized by environmental friendliness, cold restraint, clear lines and elegant presentation. Serving items are made from natural materials, and the main emphasis is on texture.

According to most designers, this style is universal. It is perfect for a dinner party, cozy get-togethers with friends, wedding celebrations and informal banquets. Preference is given to dishes in neutral or white colors and textiles in rich, fresh shades (green, red, turquoise, gray, blue, beige).

Also an excellent solution would be to buy a linen tablecloth and wooden coasters for saucers and glasses.

Table setting begins with a tablecloth, after which a composition of flowers is placed in the center, always with the addition of fir branches, edelweiss and moss. Glass and wooden candlesticks are suitable for evening serving. When looking for the perfect candles, look for thicker, scented options.

In recent years, the Scandinavian style of decoration has become increasingly used during the Christmas holidays.

Italian style

We are all familiar with the exquisite Italian cuisine, but very little is known about the serving of this country. The dishes must be served in a special order, waiting until they have cooled down after a long cooking time.

The following rules for ideal table setting in Italian style are distinguished:

• Textiles should be the same color, preferably white or beige. At formal events, it is customary to place napkins to the left of the main dish; at informal events, this rule is most often not observed (then napkins are placed directly on the plates).

• Vintage cutlery is always favored by Italians. Silver, gold-plated and crystal glasses, carved candlesticks and an unusually shaped vase - all this will fit perfectly into the interior of the living room or kitchen.

• Silver is an integral attribute of any feast. These can be various decorative elements, cutlery or plates with a silver edging around the edge.

Pay attention to the serving of the bread plate. This is the most amazing thing you can find in European cuisine. It is customary to place it to the left of the main dish, so it is easier to reach the aromatic cuts and understand how tasty simple food can be. Preference is given to single-serve bread, but you can also find bread cut into small pieces.

Interesting fact: in some Italian homes it is customary to place bread directly on the tablecloth - this custom was noticed back in the Middle Ages.

If you don’t have the time to properly set the table according to all the canons of bon ton, then use the secret of Italian housewives: everything in food should be simple and natural, and in the center there should be a composition of flowers or plants in an unusual vase.

Table setting in each country has its own distinctive features. However, this does not mean that you need to stick to only one of the possible styles. In the modern world, more and more attention is paid to a creative approach in the design of various interior elements. Don’t forget about this when observing table etiquette, and then you will definitely be able to surprise your guests.

Table setting in different directions and traditions (65 photos)