Types of Cutlery For Restaurant Dining 

In this article, we will discuss the several types of cutlery you often encounter during restaurant dining. 

The ideal restaurant lacks cutlery, good art décor, furniture, lighting, music, excellent cuisine, and friendly staff. However, the most crucial part of the restaurant is the cutlery. Having the proper cutlery can enhance one’s dining experience. 

 

Types Of Dining Cutlery 

Fork

The fork is one of the most common cutlery types. The word fork comes from the word “furca,” meaning pitchfork, and is a cutlery made out of metal, with a long handle and head that branches into narrow tines that one can poke into foods with. It is also a standard utensil for dining. 

The types of forks are the following: 

Dessert fork – Compared to a fruit fork and table fork, it is shorterwith a slightly slimmer head. Fine dining restaurants usually have them. Dessert forks are paired with pies, cakes, and other sweet dishes. 

Salad fork – Salad forks are slightly shorter than dinner forks. The tine on the left side of the salad fork has a flat edge – this is for chopping lettuce or the other elements of a salad dish. If the salad is served as an appetizer, it should be on the furthest left, but if it comes after the main meal, it should be on the right of the dinner fork.

Table fork – The table fork is all-purpose and is commonly found in homes. They also come with dinnerware sets. You may not see this kind of fork when dining at fancy restaurants. 

Pastry fork – As its name implies, the pastry fork is for eating pastry; this kind of fork has three (3) – four (4) tines. The left-handed one has a beveled edge. The edge doubles as a knife for slicing pastry into smaller portions.

Cheese fork – The cheese fork is for serving cheese. You may find this rarely. It comes with a set of cheese. 

 

Knife

The most common type of cutlery in restaurants is the knife. It is a versatile option, although it can be considered a potentially harmful type of cutlery. It all boils down to the reason and purpose behind knife usage. 

In the kitchen, you can find different types and variations of knives. Some can slice through vegetables and meat, with a vast length range, depending on what needs to be scored. When you’re out at fine dining, you might be served with knives of different types, knives for buttering rolls, and so on. 

The types of knives are the following: 

Dinner knife – The measurement of the dinner knife is between ½ and 10 inches. You use the dinner knife to cut and push food. You can also use the dinner knife to replace the salad knife if unavailable. 

Steak knife – The steak knife measures four (4) – six (6) inches long. If you do not have a dinner knife around or in addition, you can use a steak knife instead. The steak knife is either serrated or non-serrated; this can depend on the steak cut that you are getting. Among the different knife types, the steak knife is provided to guests so that they can cut their steak. The steak is deemed the heaviest and most filling restaurant offering. 

Cutlery options when dining out can be limited. However, it is left to the discretion of the restaurant. However, it is always better that owners serve unique cutlery types to make the most out of experiencing the dishes they order. 

Luncheon knife – The luncheon knife is smaller than the dinner knife. The luncheon plate is paired with the luncheon knife so that it can complement the size of the plate. If there is no luncheon knife, the dinner knife is used. 

Fish knife – When you serve fish, you usually pair it with the fish knife! This knife measures eight (8) ¾ inches, with a dull edge and a wide blade. The tip can lift the bones of the fish and separate the layers. 

Dessert knife – As its name implies, the dessert knife is for desserts. You can use the dessert knife to cut cakes and pastries and pair it with the dessert spoon. 

Fruit knife – The fruit knife has a narrow straight edge, pointed tip, and measures between 6 ½ and seven ¼ inches. Its blade is slightly curved. In some cases, the blade can be serrated. The fruit knife cuts and peels fruits.

Butter knife – The butter knife is small in size, with a rounded point. It measures five (5) to six (6) inches. You can use a dinner knife as a butter knife if the butter knife is unavailable. The rounded point of the butter knife does not scrape the bread as it spreads butter. 

 

Spoon

A spoon is as commonplace as a knife, whether for gelato, soup, or mixing some drink. You can serve a spoon in many formats, depending on the use. For example, soup spoons have an enormous curve and dip downwards to scoop more soup, while longer spoons are preferred for desserts. 

The types of spoons are the following:

Teaspoon – Teaspoons are meant for stirring coffee, tea, soups, and eating and are a common variant. A teaspoon usually accompanies the option of serving tea or coffee so that they can adequately mix in an applicable amount of sugar or cream. 

Tablespoon – It is considerably larger than a teaspoon in size. The tablespoon serves food from serving bowls. 

Place spoon – The place spoon is smaller than a tablespoon but more prominent than a teaspoon. It works as an all-purpose spoon. 

Soup spoon – The soup spoon is used for eating spoons; it has a large, rounded curve where the tip dips. An oval spoon is used for soup with meat, vegetables, bread crumbs, etc. 

Dessert spoon – The dessert spoon is for eating sweet dishes like pudding and cake. You can pair the dessert spoon with the dessert knife and dessert fork. 

Sundae spoon – Sundae spoons are long and reach the bottom of the sundae glass. They also help you eat liquid or semi-liquid food like ice cream, toppings, floats, jelly, etc.

The fruit spoon has a pointed tip that helps cut fruit and eat round fruits like oranges, melons, and grapes. 

 

What To Look For In Cutlery

Quantity And Price –  Determining how many settings you need and how much you want to spend is the first step to buying flatware. Utensils are sold piece by piece (open stock), in preassembled box sets, or as individual place settings. Here’s how much you should expect to pay for each.

Materials – It helps to be familiar with the materials used, as utensils and cutlery can be produced from different materials. However, not all materials are created equal. Some are even more durable than others. We recommend stainless steel primarily because of its price point and long-lasting. For more formal occasions, you can go for stainless steel. 

Comfort – Lastly, user experience is vital, which is how comfort is one of the most important things to look for in your cutlery. The weight of your utensils is a personal choice, although whatever feels most comfortable is the rule of thumb. Some cutlery can be very heavy, which can be hard to use and throw off the balance of the pieces. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Cutlery

What is cutlery?

Cutlery is defined as the utensils you use to eat food. Cutlery includes knives, spoons, and forks. 

 

What are the different types of cutlery metal?

The most common type of cutlery metal is stainless steel metal. Other cutlery materials include silver, disposable, and polycarbonate. Stainless steel is often used because it is long-lasting and can resist bacteria. 

 

What is the most common cutlery?

The most common cutlery used are spoons, forks, and knives. In Asian countries, you may find that chopsticks and spoons are used more often. 

 

What is a standard cutlery set?

The standard cutlery set has certain tools in it. The tools included are dinner spoons, forks and knives, dessert spoons and forks, soup spoons, and teaspoons. 

 

What is the difference between utensils and cutlery?

Kitchen utensils are typically used for cooking, mixing, and serving food. They include spatulas, spoons, tongs, whisks, and mixing bowls. On the other hand, cutlery refers to the tools used for eating. These include tools such as knives, forks, and spoons.

 

What is the difference between utensils and cutlery?

The difference between utensils and cutlery is that utensils can also be used for mixing, serving, and cooking food. However, cutlery, like knives, spoons, and forks, is used explicitly for eating.

 

How do you place cutlery after a meal?

After your meal, you should put the knife and fork straight up on the middle of the plate. By doing this, you are sending a message to the server that you are finished eating. 

Keep Your Cutlery Clean With Dispenser Solution

Cutlery sets and their types are part of the art of dining, each serving a unique purpose, from an all-around piece to more specialized uses. By choosing the proper cutlery, you can elevate your dining room experience and add more sophistication to the whole dining experience. 

Dispenser Solution is a cutlery dispenser production company. We offer cutlery dispensers that can help create a safe cooking environment for a cleaner and better place to enjoy your food. Contact us today!