how do you hold knife and fork well when eating?

Question

Like when there are meals at functions how does one eat well with knife and fork or the meats, vegetables, chicken, fruit the lot. I will soon be interrating with high level executives and need to do things well.

Answer 1

If you are at a nice restaurant then they will provide you with two sets of forks and knives. The ones on the outside are smaller and used for salad or appetizers, use those first. If you are left handed, hold the fork with your left hand and the knife with your right. Cut your food into small bite size pieces then place the knife across the top right edge/rim of the plate, then eat the piece of food. Make sure that when you do that, the fork is not upside down. This is a bad habit people get into and do it without noticing. If you are eating with wealthy important people, they may look down on you if you do that. If you are right handed, cut your food the same way, laying the knife in the same place then switch your fork to your right hand before eating. When finished place both fork and knife in the upper right edge of the plate. In America, and most other places, excluding South America, you should always keep the hand you are not using down in your lap, over your napkin.

Which in another point, once you sit down at the table always place the napkin in your lap first.

Move inward with your silverware, the set closet to your plate, the large ones are for your entree. If you have an appetizer and use the outside ones, then a salad, and you are only left with the large silverware for your entree (and they didnt provide you with another set), use them for your salad, and they will replace them when your main course arrives.

The only time it is okay to use your hands is when they bring you bread. Take your butter knife, or if you dont have one, your salad knife and get a small amount of butter, and put the dollop of butter on your bread plate, pass the butter, then use the butter from your bread plate to spread onto your bread. This keeps the butter moving and makes it so that you arent sticking your knife in the butter mulitple times. At no other point is it acceptable to use your hands. Even with chicken, use your fork and knife. When in doubt, use your fork and knife. No one will look down on you for that, but they might if you use your hands. If you see other people at the table, or even the host/hostess using their hands, you can then choose if you want to use your hands, but when at a nice place, or out for business, it is best to stay professional and use your utensils.

When eating pasta, never cut it with your knife. It is considered wrong and should not be done. Instead take your fork, grab about 3 or 4 strands of pasta and twirl it on your plate until those strands are wrapped around your fork. If they provide you with a spoon then twirl your fork inside the spoon.

There are a lot of rules to fine dining, you can purchase a book, or even go online and look up American table manners, or dining. The more you eat, then more you will learn. Most people dont know the rules, or dont pay attention to them, this tells you what class of people they are. But if you are willing to learn and want to look good and respectable, then do it right, and by asking questions is the best way to learn. Hope this helped and good luck.

Answer 2

If your right handed hold your fork in your right hand almost like a pencil. If you want to cut meat with a knife, more the fork to the left hand to hold it down. then use your right hand to cut the meat. when you want to eat the pieces put the fork back into your right hand.

Answer 3

It depends if you are left or right handed were you put knives and forks.
In some countries it is acceptable to eat birds by the hand and one do not have to use knife and fork.

Answer 4

I'm sure that these executives are smart enough to figure it out on their own. I'll bet they've been eating for years.

Answer 5

with your hands.