Dessert Spoon and Fork??!

Children at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota recently were baffled by having a fork and a spoon for their molten chocolate cake dessert. One of the children asked, “Why does a place setting sometimes have both a fork and a spoon presented?”

Adults often ask the same question. The two utensils can be used to assist with eating the dessert and should be selected based upon the “softness” of the dessert. For example, the fork for eating and the spoon as a “pusher” or vice versa.

The proper way to set the table for desserts it to either place them horizontally above the dinner plate (the spoon at the top with its handle to the right and the fork below with its handle to the left) or they may be placed beside the plate. If they’re beside the plate, the fork goes on the left hand side, closest to the plate and the spoon goes on the right hand side to the left of the soupspoon (if there is a soupspoon!) With formal place settings that have more than more courses, the dessert utensils will be presented just before the dessert is served. (Rule:  no more than three of any implement is ever placed on the table, except when an oyster fork is used–and then there are four forks!)  Be sure to use your spoon and fork properly and enjoy your dessert!  As you can see, Tegan is enjoying his dessert!