What is a Dessert Service? By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP, Certified Etiquette Expert

In Canada dessert is generally served and brought in from the kitchen, or served at the table by the host. However at a very formal meal, served traditionally you may be presented with a dessert service.

A dessert service consists of a dessert plate. On the plate, there will be a finger bowl placed on a doily in the centre of the plate, with a dessert fork to the left and a dessert spoon placed to the right of the finger bowl.

The guest sets the fork on the table to the left of the plate and the spoon to the right of the plate. Then picks up the doily and the fingerbowl, and places them on the table at the upper left of the dessert plate.  The server then places the dessert on the plate.

When dessert has been served onto your plate, the spoon is held in the right hand. The fork is held in the left hand. Cut the dessert using the spoon. The dessert is pushed onto the spoon with the fork and eaten with the spoon. This is the traditional way in England and many other European Countries. However, in some European regions, the spoon is used for cutting and pushing the dessert onto the fork. The dessert is then eaten from the fork. Because there are many customs for the use of these dining utensils, it is best to familiarize yourself with regional customs before you arrive.

When in doubt, always follow the lead of your host.

For more on this topic buy the eBook ‘Formal Dining for Informal People

You may also be interested in:

Dining Traditions vs. Casual Lifestyle

How to Be the Perfect Dinner Party Guest!

6 Top Dining Don’ts

Kimberly sig pic

17 thoughts on “What is a Dessert Service? By Kimberly Law, AICI CIP, Certified Etiquette Expert”

  1. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find
    this topic to be really something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post,
    I will try to get the hang of it!

  2. Hey there outstanding website! Does running a blog similar
    to this require a massive amount work? I’ve absolutely no expertise in computer programming but I had been hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyhow, should you have any recommendations or tips for new blog owners please share. I understand this is off topic but I simply wanted to ask. Kudos!

  3. I really like reading through an article that
    can make men and women think. Also, many thanks for allowing for me to comment!

  4. Good day very cool website!! Man .. Excellent
    .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your blog and take the feeds
    also? I’m satisfied to search out numerous useful info here in the publish, we’d like develop extra
    strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing. . .

    . . .

  5. Hi! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me
    of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this.
    I will forward this write-up to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read.

    Many thanks for sharing!

  6. Appreciating the persistence you put into your site and detailed information you present.
    It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while
    that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed information. Fantastic read!

    I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

    1. Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate it. If you can think of any questions or topics that you would like me to write about please let me know.

  7. Heya! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 3gs!
    Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog
    and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the outstanding work!

  8. My brother recommended I would possibly like this blog.
    He was entirely right. This publish actually made my day.
    You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this info!

    Thank you!

Leave a Reply to BurtBMedawar Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *