What are the five main table settings?

The five main table settings are basic, informal, formal, five-course and buffet. Basic is for everyday dining and includes one fork, one spoon, one knife and one plate. An informal place setting usually adds a salad fork and a soup spoon, as well as a bread plate and a knife. All of these elements go into a formal setting, and hosts typically add dessert forks and spoons. Five-course place settings will usually include special silverware for the fish course and may also feature additional glasses for wine pairings. For buffets, silverware often gets grouped together in decorative containers or rolled in napkins for guests to take as they make their way along the buffet line. Find a wide range of tableware and silverware on 1stDibs.