The Art of Entertaining:Glassware and Flatware

Today man has mastered the glass-making process and can make many different types of glass in infinitely varied colors formed into a wide range of products.

For the most part, glass is the shiniest element to a table. Mix the sparkle factor of glass with candlelight, and the result is an enchanting backdrop to your meal!

There are many styles of glasses, but they all serve one purpose, and that's housing your beverage of choice. When it comes to entertaining you should have on hand the basics, water goblets, tall tumblers, and white and red wine glasses,or one that can house both of them. So instead of explaining in detail the different styles, I'll just give you a visual presentation. Remember, feel free to use a non-traditional glass at any time of the day to drink your favorite beverage or something as simple as water...you'll enjoy it!

Water Goblets

Tall and Short Tumblers


White Wine Glass



Red Wine Glass (more rounded in the body)

The Martini Glass (seen here in black and white)

Champagne Flutes



The Margarita Glass

Okay...let's see, we have plates-check, glasses-check, flatware...oh yes, the flatware! sometimes a forgotten element, flatware is just as much a star of the table as the glassware and dinnerware.

When I think about flatware, I think about a time when I was young and went flatware shopping with my parents. I've never given thought to flatware until that trip. My sister and I were subjected to a grueling two hours of shopping and debating over the right flatware set. I had to ask my then seven year old sister " Are they serious?" "Just buy some forks, knives and a couple of spoons already!" It wasn't until I grew up that I understood the importance of the "Right" setting. Take a look at the following kinds of flatware...there's something for everything...literally!

(Top to Bottom)
Tablespoon 8 1/4", Large soup spoon 7 7/8", Dessert spoon 7", Child's spoon 6 1/8"



(Top to Bottom)
Tea and Coffee spoons in various sizes

(Top to Bottom)
Cream spoon 6 3/4, Bouillon spoon 6", Fruit spoon 6"

(Top to Bottom)
Iced Teaspoon 7 1/2", Marrow scoop 9 1/8", Lobster pick 7 3/4"...a marrow scoop??



(Top to Bottom)
Ice cream spoon 5 1/2", Ice cream fork 5 3/8", Baby spoon (for jams or jellies)




(Top to Bottom)
Child's, Dinner, Lunch, Dessert, and Child Four Prong Fork



(Top to Bottom)
Salad fork 4 prong, Salad fork 3 prong, Pastry fork



(Top to Bottom)
Oyster, Snail and Seafood fork



(Top to Bottom)
Table, Dinner, Luncheon, Child's, Butter Knife


(Top to Bottom)
Sauce Spoon, Fish Knife, Fish Fork


(Top to Bottom)
Fish Knife Spoon Handle, Fish Knife Dished Blade, Fish Fork Spoon Handle



(Top to Bottom)
Steak Knife, Fruit Knife, Hors d'oeuvre knife, Hors d'oeuvre Fork


(Top to Bottom)
Caviar Spoon, Caviar Knife, Cannon Handle Spreader

Okay folks, there you have it, all the flatware you need-unless your name begins with Queen or King.
An exceptional quality flatware setting for everyday and entertaining use is all that's needed, but it's nice to know there's a Pastry fork out there in case a regular fork won't do! :-) Ciao!