Have you ever attended an event dinner and heard someone comment negatively about the silverware? You may not have realized the importance of choosing the right flatware set for the occasion. It truly is important! Selecting the best silverware can enhance the aesthetics of the table setting and leave guests with wonderful memories, long after the event is over. On the other hand, poor quality cutlery in a style that doesn’t suit the theme of the celebration can throw the entire dinner off.
In this blog post, we’ll cover 1) the basic silverware requirements for events, 2) how to calculate how much flatware you will need, and 3) helpful tips for choosing the best quality silverware for any occasion.
Any occasion that includes food is an event that will require your guests to have a flatware set. Whether it’s a wedding reception, graduation dinner, or even a dinner party at home, you want a table that feels welcoming and silverware that makes the meal memorable and enjoyable for everyone.
Basic flatware requirements for your event
A basic flatware set consists of a dinner knife, dinner fork, salad fork, table spoon, and teaspoon. However, for a dessert-only event, the flatware requirements will be different. Dessert-only events need special serveware and flatware.
Cake and pie serving sets are designed for slicing and serving cakes and pies. This set includes a knife with a long blade for cutting pies, tarts, and cakes, as well as a triangular-shaped spatula for serving the cake or pie slice onto a plate.
Pastry forks have three prongs or tines, with a wider flattened left prong. This is so guests can cut pies, cakes, and pastries with the fork edge.
Dessert spoons are larger and deeper than a teaspoon. A dessert spoon is ideal for enjoying custards, puddings, and delicious chocolate mousse.
How much flatware will I need?
When determining the amount of flatware you’ll need for an event, it's important to consider whether it's a formal gathering or a buffet-style dinner. The menu will also influence your calculations; for instance, if soup is being served, you'll need to ensure that each flatware set includes a soup spoon.
Flatware requirements for a normal sit-down dinner. The rule of thumb for calculating how much flatware you will need for a formal dinner is to provide one flatware set for each guest, plus 10 additional sets.
If there is soup on the menu, event planners recommend 2 soup spoons per person. And don’t forget steak knives if you’re serving meat.
Flatware needs for a buffet dinner. While many guests may not need extra cutlery, it’s wise to be prepared if someone drops a fork or loses a spoon. Allow for 2 dinner forks, 2 dinner knives, 2 salad forks, and 2 dessert forks per person. Include 1 steak knife per person and 2 soup spoons.
For someone who loves to entertain at home, how much flatware will you need? We recommend following the same guidelines as the event planners use, whether you're planning a sit-down dinner with a few work colleagues or hosting a casual buffet-style dinner for the holidays.
Choosing the best silverware for any event
The style of each flatware set will depend on the event. For an elegant occasion, classic gold flatware may be the best silverware choice. Or for a seaside or coastal theme, copper flatware might match the aesthetic best.
While choosing the right design or pattern is important, what about the material? Rust-resistant stainless steel flatware is popular for its lasting good looks and quality. Stainless steel is an alloy, a mix of chromium and nickel. Stainless steel cutlery is available in grades of either 18/10, 18/8, or 18/0. The number 18 represents the percentage of chromium and the second number is the percentage of nickel. Nickel adds to rust resistance, strength, and durability, so choosing 18/8 or 18/10 stainless steel will increase the durability of your silverware choice.
Shopping for the best silverware from INOX Artisans
Although our inventory may not be as extensive as that of larger silverware manufacturers, we are confident that our selection of handmade silverware will complement any event theme. Opting for stainless steel flatware over plastic cutlery is an eco-conscious choice, and many event caterers and party suppliers are choosing solid stainless silverware.
Are you an event business that is transitioning to stainless steel silverware? If standard-manufactured flatware doesn’t meet your needs for distinctive cutlery, we offer unique flatware options to make your events memorable. We provide bulk order discounts for wedding and event catering businesses. Get in touch with us today at customercare@inoxartisans.com to inquire about purchasing authentic artisan-made silverware for your business.
