1. THE ART OF “CONVIVIUM” HOW TO SIT AT THE TABLE AND HOW TO WELCOME GUESTS
IPSAR G.MATTEOTTI
PISA - ITALY
The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

2. BASIC ITALIAN “MISE EN PLACE”
Undercover
Tablecloth
Table-cloth guard
Napkin
Fork
Knife
Water glass

3. COMPLETE “MISE EN PLACE”
Undercover
Tablecloth
Table-cloth guard
Placeholder
Napkin
Bread plate
Forks
Knives
Spoon
Dessert fork
Dessert knife
Dessert spoon
Water glass
Red and white wine glasses

4. WELCOMING GUEST Welcome and acknowledge customers,
even if you cannot serve them immediately
Bring them a menu
as soon as possible

5. When taking guests' orders
stand on their left and make notes about any
special requests such as no ice or no salt
Take the orders of children first,
then ladies and older customers.
Then continue around the table
clockwise

6. Drinks are usually served before food and
should be placed and removed
from the customer's right side.
Refill glasses by leaving them on the table and
not picking them up or touching the rim of the glass.
Carry plates to the table without
touching the surface from which food
is going to be eaten, the same
applies to silverware

7. Place and remove food from the left
holding plates in your left hand
and making sure guests can easily
reach serving dishes
Never pass in front of a guest when serving
or removing dishes from the table

8. Only clear the table when
all the guests have finished eating
Customers should leave their cutlery
on the plate at the end of each course
The same rules apply for serving food and drinks, but if there are hot drinks be careful not to overfill cups with dangerous hot liquid

9. Remove all dishes and cutlery used in that course starting with the serving dishes and silverware and than remove all the dishes from each person's
cover
If glasses on the table are empty, you should refill your neighbours' ones before yours

10. Before starting to eat, it is courtesy to wait for all the guests to be served but if dishes can cool down, you can invite guests to start eating
Don't talk while chewing

11. Don't stretch your legs under the table, sit at the right distance from the table neither too close nor too far. Don't lay your elbows on the table while eating and bring the food to your mouth with the fork without bending on the dish
Don't stay on the phone while eating

12. When clearing the table use your left hand to remove the plate, move it to your right hand
Don’t keep a customer waiting for the bill. Place the bill at the centre of the table in a bill cover
Thank you !