Dining Questions Answered: a 10-part blog series

Welcome to "Dining Questions Answered," a 10-part series designed to transform your dining experiences from awkward to elegant. Whether you’re attending a formal business dinner or a casual gathering, feeling confident in your dining etiquette can make a world of difference. This series aims to introduce the often intimidating world of formal dining, providing you with the knowledge and skills to make a lasting impression.

In each blog, I’ll answer the most common dining questions, from the moment you receive an invitation to the final goodbye at the end of the meal. You’ll learn the ins and outs of navigating place settings, holding utensils like a pro (both Continental and American styles), and mastering courses from soup to dessert.

Here’s what you can expect from the series -

Part 1: The Invitation, RSVP, Dress Code, and Arrival - Kick things off by discussing the importance of responding to invitations and understanding dress codes. You'll learn the significance of first impressions and how to approach a dining table with poise.

Part 2: Napkins - What should you do with your napkin when you sit down or excuse yourself from the table? Clarify this often-overlooked aspect of dining etiquette.

Part 3: The Place Setting - How can you tell which fork or knife to use? Breaking down place settings and the proper order of utensil use.

Part 4: Holding the Utensils - Discuss common mistakes in utensil handling and demonstrate the correct ways to eat with a fork and knife.

Part 5: Soup Course - From how to use a soup spoon to etiquette around tipping the bowl.

Part 6: Eating Bread & Rolls - Learn the art of bread etiquette, including how to identify your bread plate & water glass. Along with how to butter each bite and pass the butter.

Part 7: Salad Course - Navigating salad forks, passing dressings, and managing cherry tomatoes will be discussed. Introducing the exciting possibility of the optional sorbet course.

Part 8: Main Course - Address when to start eating, seasoning the dish, what to do if you don’t like your meal and removing a bad bite from your mouth.

Part 9: Dessert - How to handle your utensils and the right way to respond if coffee is served.

Part 10: End of Meal - Wrap up with tips on thanking your host and understanding tipping etiquette.

Bonus: Common Faux Pas - End the series with a fun yet informative look at the most frequent dining mistakes and how to avoid them.

I’m excited to guide you through this dining journey, helping you shift from feelings of intimidation to confidence. By the end of this series, you’ll feel prepared and eager to embrace any dining occasion with charm and grace.

Bye. Now.