Etiquette with No Waiters or Footmen

If one is hosting or hostessing a large dinner party, without anyone else serving the food but yourself, it can be difficult to “plate” the food in an impressive or decorative manner. Do try your best to make the food look delicious if you’ll be passing plates of food yourself at the table.

 

 

 

Serving One’s Guests at the Table

At a dinner party, if there are no waiters, the host should serve those nearest to him and the party receiving will pass it down to the furthest away on that side of the table. The hostess and host at such a dinner are generally served last. 

Where there are waiters or footmen, the service commences with the guests of honor and then in rotation down to the foot of the table. – From the San Francisco Call, 1902

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia