Table AppointmentsLinen, Table Centres, and Accessories

Includes all table coverings and napkins used regardless of material used

Its color, design and material creates the mood for the setting

Linen

Table Cloth◦Material used to cover the entire surface of tables

◦Has an over hang of 10-15 inches from table edge for sit down dinnersFloor length overhang for buffets

Types of Linen

Silence Cloth◦Heavy pad of material used underneath the table

◦Used for minimizing noise when serving

◦Same size as table cloth◦Protects table from hot dishes

Types of Linen

Runner◦Long narrow strip of cloth placed on bare tables

◦Either crosswise or lengthwise◦Provides background for covers◦Used with or without table cloth

Types of Linen

Place Mat◦Most commonly used◦Protects linen or table from stains

◦Common size of 18-24 inches long

◦Has a variety of shapes

Types of Linen

Top Cloth◦Half sized cloth used on top of table cloth

◦Minimizing laundering of table cloth

Types of Linen

Napkins◦Maybe fancy folded (calla lily and candlestick)

◦Cloth used by individual dinersDinner Napkins – 18-24 in²Luncheon Napkins - 9-12 in²Tea Napkins - 6-9 in²Cocktail Napkins - 4-6 in²

Types of Linen

Skirting◦Long cloth for hiding the table legs

◦Tacked from table edges◦Has a variety of designsPleatsRibbonsCombination

Types of Linen

Table cloths◦White linen damask◦Wide variety of fiber, color, and designs

◦Plastics For childrenFor guest – lace resembling

Materials Used for Linen

Silence Cloths◦Quilt◦Flannel◦Felt◦Thin Foam

Materials Used for Linen

Runners◦Woven Fabrics◦Cotton◦Fiber

Materials Used for Linen

Place Mat◦Left over cloth◦Fabrics◦Plastic◦Paper

Materials Used for Linen

Top Cloths and Napkins◦Gingham◦White linen damask Use same material as table cloth

Materials Used for Linen

Native Materials was also Used◦Pina◦Abaca◦Buri◦Raffia* Not commonly utilized now because of practicality and convinience

Materials Used for Linen

Occasion◦Formal – plain or pastel colored linens are preffered

◦Informal – any material, color, and design

Factors in Linen Selection

Type of Material◦Durability◦Versatility◦Ease of Laundering◦Care

Factors in Linen Selection

Color and Design◦Plain or pastel colored – formal◦Blue – coolness◦Red – gaiety and festivity◦Varies with factors (occasion and culture) Red and green – Christmas Orange – Holloween Violet – Lenten Red - Chinese

Factors in Linen Selection

Durability◦Native materials are not as durable cloths and plastics

◦Cotton and Damasks are most commonly used because of their durability and ease of laundering

Factors in Linen Selection

Versatility◦Choose those that can be used for formal and informal occasions

◦Cloths are the best choice

Factors in Linen Selection

Availability◦Ready-made cloths with matching napkins - Expensive

◦Homemade - Economical

Factors in Linen Selection

Type of Table Appointments and Setting◦Fine linen cloths, laced cloths, pastel fabrics – Fine chinaware and intricately designed silverwares

◦Gingham, thick cloths, and plastics – stoneware, ceramics, clayware, and stainless steel flatware

Factors in Linen Selection

Dependent on material used Hanging after dripping to minimize ironing Removing stains before washing Ironing-specific instructions Ironing centerfolds only Ironed linens should be folded or rolled and

stored in drawers Plastic and native materials are not washed

daily – wipe and air dry

Care and Maintenance of Linens

“A means of self-expression and an art of that permits full use of the scope of the imagination for more pleasant dining.”

Table Centers and Accessories

Leocadio, 1998

Principles◦Appropriate and in good taste – according to mood

◦Provide balance – centerpiece is a misnomer

◦Accent – creation of a theme◦Artistically arranged – Luxury V.S Simplicity

Table Centers and Accessories

Flowers◦Fresh flowers are preferred◦Different stages of development Bud Half-open blossom Full blown Flower Wilted or dried

Types of Materials Used

Leaves and Potted Plants◦Harmony with other table appointments

◦Forming of baskets or other basketsStapledWovenTied

Types of Materials Used

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables- Sculptures

Bread – molded and baked dough, twisting in ropes and braids, egg brush

Candles – dark settings only◦Shaded – burns below eye level◦Unshaded – burn above eye level

Types of Materials Used

Driftwood – free of insects Sea Treasures – shells, corals, starfish, goes well when serving sea food

Dramatic Motifs – for limited space Ice – used for food in need of refrigeration

Artistic Object – personal collections Combinations- candles and crystal glasses, flowers and vegetables

Types of Materials Used

Harmony with table setting Safety Style of Service Space Food Served Diner’s Preference

Factors to be Considered

Wipe clean before setting Perishable materials should be discarded or recycled after use

Fragile materials should be handled with care

Store in appropriate areas to minimize breakage and contamination.

Caring and Maintenance

Claudio V., Leocadio C. and Escudero E. , Meal management and Table Service. Merriam and Webster Inc. Manila, Philippines, 2008.

Leocadio C. , Essentials in Meal Managemet 4th Edition, Philippines, 1998

References