Table setting for breakfast: history, rules of serving, decor

The day begins with breakfast, and its quality greatly influences our further mood. But for some reason many people do not pay proper attention to this meal. As a rule, we are accustomed to breakfast in a hurry, saving time for sleep and gathering for work. However, try at least once to get up early and have breakfast, not saving time and, moreover, adhering to the rules of serving the table.

You can argue, saying that table setting for breakfast is appropriate only in restaurants and at a meeting with important guests, and in everyday life it is useless. But, firstly, a beautifully served table automatically adjusts us to a positive mood, and secondly, simple servicing rules will help you to fill the kitchen with the atmosphere of a holiday and coziness.

Today "Dream House" invites its readers to a fascinating journey and tells about the history and rules of table setting, as well as how, besides serving, you can decorate the table with such an important meal as breakfast.

How the art of table setting

appeared and developed The culture of a beautiful meal originated in ancient Rome. Notable Romans tasted food lying down, tk. At that time it was believed that this is the position that promotes better digestion. Slaves brought to the bed of their owners a table on three legs with dishes and laid a prototype of modern knives and spoons near the main dish, made of silver and gold.

In Europe, the history of serving the table for breakfast and other meals began to develop only in the XIV-XV centuries. The fact is that when in the East they already knew how to make elegant porcelain dishes, in European countries clay and wood products were still used, and cutlery was a luxury not only for the common people, but for the nobility. After the first refined kremanki, cups, glasses, sauces and other utensils were brought to Europe, the inhabitants of the "old world" felt the need to develop a separate food culture.

This is how the first rules for serving the table for breakfast began to appear. For example, the table was necessarily covered with a cloth cloth, a vase with fern or flowers was placed in the center, and a cup of water was placed near the plates, which was intended for washing hands.

Gradually, the etiquette of food intake became more extensive and thoughtful. In 1710, the German city of Meissen opened its own porcelain manufactory, and the Europeans began to master the process of making dishes and cutlery. A separate dish is created for the first and second dishes, plates for desserts, fruit bowls, knives and forks. As there are a lot more items on the table, people start to think about their layout. In the circle of notable people, the fashion for mastering the culture of food intake develops: the first napkins appear, the knife and fork are used during meals, and the process of serving dishes acquires a certain sequence.

How to properly serve a table for breakfast

The process of serving a table for breakfast begins with choosing a tablecloth. According to the etiquette, if the meal is unofficial, the table can be covered with a tablecloth of any color. If, during meals, it is planned to resolve business issues or receive guests, the decoration of the table must be white.

The table layout scheme depends on whether there is a hot dish on it. If breakfast is served eggs, bacon, garnish, etc., then the dishes are laid in a wide flat plate, which is placed in the middle. If the main breakfast dish is cereal or cereal, then in the center of the table a deep bowl is placed on a flat wide plate.

Next on the table are plates for snacks, cutlery and cups and a saucer for each person. In this case, the table can be covered with a napkin. Snack plates are placed about three centimeters from the edge of the table. If, in addition to bread, other flour products are served for breakfast - pancakes, pies, buns, etc., then to the left of the snack plate it is necessary to put a dessert plate on top of which is put a knife for butter, chocolate and confiture.

The knife is always placed on the right in relation to the plate, with the tip pointing towards it. The dining room and a teaspoon are placed to the right of the knife, and the dessert is placed on top of the plate, so that its handle is pointing to the right.

A cup for hot drinks is placed on the right just above the snack plate. Near it there are glasses for water, milk and juice.

In addition to the main dish, a rosette with jam, a sugar bowl, a milkman, a decanter with juice or water, a saucer with butter, and also, if any, a dish with sliced ​​fruit or vegetables, are placed in the center of the table. Only special dishes are necessary for each dish.

Table decoration for breakfast

As in most cases breakfast is an informal receptionfood, in the process of serving it small deviations are allowed. For example, you can use colored dishes, tablecloths and napkins with drawings, as well as various accessories and ornaments.

However, when choosing colored dishes and tablecloths, try to match their coloring with the decor of the kitchen. If you use tissue wipes, then try to fold them in the form of a cone, a triangle, a fan, etc. Beautifully laid napkins will add a neatness table.

To make the table more elegant and solemn will help a bouquet of flowers set in the center. But in order not to overload the composition, the vase and flowers should be low.

If breakfast is timed to a holiday, then you can pick up a thematicdecor. For example, for the New Year holidays, a composition of fir branches is suitable, Valentine's Day is a decoration in the form of a heart, Easter - early spring flowers, branches of trees with germinating buds, wheat planted in vases or any Easter decor etc.

Also very nice lookingAccessories, such as rings and napkin tapes, decorative holders for cups with hot drinks, candlesticks, etc. However, remember that all elements of the table, including a tablecloth, napkins, dishes and ornaments, must be consistent in a single style.

The table setting for breakfast is attractive not only for its aesthetic value. These numerous rules, in fact, make the process of food intake more convenient and comfortable. In addition, a beautifully served table will fill the usual meal with an atmosphere of celebration and peace, bringing together the people sitting behind it.