Did you know that the dining experience is truly an experience that diners must enjoy from beginning till the end? Life is too short to just wolf down the food from plastic containers, bound out the door to the next appointment and then forget all about one of the good things in our earthly existence. Indeed, man through the generations and civilizations have always found ways to enhance the dining experience and we have the privilege to carry on the tradition of good food, good company and good life.
This privilege can be exercised when you give dinner parties for family and friends. As part of the dining experience, you should start thinking of the dinnerware that will be used for the party.
Yes, you read that right – dinnerware – because plates, bowls, glasses, forks and spoons are all part and parcel of the dining experience. Why? Well, read on and find out the reasons.
First Impressions Last
Let's admit it. The very first thing we notice in a dinner party is the kind of dinnerware used for the simple reason that the food has not been laid out yet. This is true especially for formal dinners where waiters are on hand to serve the food or in sit-down dinners where the food will be laid out as the courses progress from soups to desserts and coffee.
As such, you are setting the stage for first impressions that, we all know by now, often lasts whether we like it or not. For example, fine china coupled with equally fine silverware from the Oneida Juilliard or the Oneida Easton collection makes a better impression than using obviously cheap plastic ware.
Set the Mood
The right dinnerware also sets the mood by complementing both the appearance of the food and the general theme of the dinner. As the chefs and culinary experts will tell you over and over again, the presentation of the food on the plate and platter is half of the battle won for the affections of the diners and their stomachs.
For example, the Spanish dish paella is best served in a plate with solid colors that complement the tempting hues of the various ingredients. Imagine if you were served the paella in a multi-colored plate and your dining experience will somehow hit a rough note.
Also, the dinnerware can set the mood for the holidays. For example, plates in the Christmas colors of gold, green and red complement the general theme of the dining room.
Functional Purposes
Of course, dinnerware serves functional purposes. In fact, function must take precedence over fashion when it comes to choosing the dinnerware. The good news is that many of the dinnerware selections offer function and fashion in equal measure. These functions include:
- Keeping the food as warm as possible.
- Keeping to portion control.
Most important, dinnerware keeps the food where it is supposed to be and keep to aesthetics, too. Soups should be in soup bowls; beverages should be in glasses and flutes; main dishes should be in dinner plates; desserts should be in dessert plates – you must get the idea by now.
These are the reasons why dinnerware is an important component of any dining experience, be it in a casual or a formal setting.
