their fruit, sugar and cream in it to create their own fruit soup! It can be quite alarming to be presented with a dessert service for the first time but the host sets an example to those in any doubt!
Apart from the place settings, it is important for your table to have a central element. At lunch, it might consist of a simple arrangement of flowers which could incorporate vegetables and fruits as well. Dinner, however, is a more formal meal; a beautiful floral arrangement of seasonal flowers and foliage would be appropriate for the middle of the table, perhaps flanked or surrounded by candelabra or candlesticks. Don't make your arrangement too high – you want your guests to be able to see each other and converse across the table without being distracted by a ‘forest’ of flowers and candles.
NAPKINS
Although you can use any colour of napkin to suit your chosen colour theme, white will give you the most elegant appearance. There is no substitute for large, starched white linen napkins – they fold well and stand proud at any table setting. Although expensive, they will last for ever and will never go out of fashion – trust me.
Paper napkins are particularly suitable for a children's party, picnic or casual buffet, but not appropriate for a lunch or dinner party.
The folded napkin should stand in the centre of each place setting. I avoid placing napkins on side plates unless the first course is already on the table when your guests sit down. I have chosen to illustrate two of the most classic and stylish folded napkin arrangements.
PRINCE OF WALES’ FEATHERS
‘Fleur de Lys’
1. Fold your square napkin into a triangle and bring the left-and right-hand corners towards the top corner.
2. Fold the resulting diamond in half, from bottom to top, and then fold towards you, in half again.
3. Turn the napkin over and once again bring the left-and right-hand corners together and tuck in.
4. Stand the napkin upright and peel down the two side folds.
5. Finally, peel down the top corner.
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SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
‘Cock's Comb’
1. Fold your square napkin into quarters, making sure that all four corners are together.
2. Fold the bottom corner into the top corner, turn the napkin over, then fold the left-and right-hand corners towards the centre.
3. Tuck the two loose flaps underneath.
4. Fold in half once again to make a ‘boat’ shape, then pull the four corners up for the ‘sails’.
5. Now you have a perfect Sydney Opera House or Cock's Comb.
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TABLE LINEN TIPS
• If you scorch a white cotton napkin, wet the mark with soapy water and leave it to dry in bright sunlight. Wash and iron it again, and the scorch will disappear.
• Freshly washed white linen can be hung overnight in a heavy frost to help restore the crisp whiteness, as if by magic!
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SEATING
You will already have an idea where you wish your guests to sit at the table, but here are a few basic guidelines you might like to consider. As a general rule, the most important guest should sit on the right of the host, and their partner should sit on the right side of the hostess. When appropriate, you should try to alternate men and women, otherwise a good starting point is for you to sit opposite your partner.
If you are entertaining more than six guests, a table plan is a good idea and avoids unnecessary confusion when your guests approach the table, or you can write place cards. At a smaller party, you can simply direct your guests to their seats.
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PAUL'S THREE GOLDEN RULES OF SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINING
1 RELAX
and have fun – after all, that's what entertaining is all about!
2 RESIST
anything too adventurous, extravagant or expensive.
3 KEEP IT SIMPLE
because simplicity is often the most stylish principle.
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CHOOSING A MENU
This is often the most difficult task, and you must give clear and careful thought to choosing your menu. Three courses are customary,
Eric Giacometti, Jacques Ravenne