Dinner plates come in various sizes and have multiple uses.
Plates used at dinner come in various sizes to accommodate different types and sizes of foods. They are interchangeable and their uses are left to the discretion of the host and diners. A conventional five-place dinner setting includes three different-size plates, a cup and a saucer.
Dinner Plates
These plates are used to serve the main course of the meal and are the largest of the group. They are typically between 9 and 11 inches in diameter, although some dinnerware brands include oversize plates up to 13 inches wide.
Smaller Plates
Salad plates measure between 6 and 8 inches across and are just smaller versions of dinner plates. In addition to holding salads, this plate is commonly used to serve luncheon dishes such as sandwiches, quiche or individual savory pastries, pies or turnovers. Children's portions are often served on salad plates and they are commonly placed underneath soup bowls to catch drips and spills. Bread and butter plates have diameters of 5 to 7 inches and efficiently hold a roll or bread slice and a pat or small container of butter. This size plate is also conventionally used to serve desserts such as pies, cakes or cobblers.
Serving Plates and Platters
Besides serving individual entrees and side dishes, dinner plates are frequently used to present components of a meal. They are convenient to present pieces of chicken, sliced meats and small roasts. Cold cuts and cheeses are typically arranged on dinner plates for table presentation. Dinner plates attractively display layer cakes that can be iced and frosted on them. Assorted cookies and candies are easy to arrange and serve on a dinner plate. Dinnerware sets frequently include one or two serving platters in patterns that match the plates. These dishes are oval-shaped to neatly hold whole chickens or roasts and typically measure between 10 and 14 inches across.
Style Options
Plates with rim shapes have defined edges between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 inches wide. The intersection between the rims and the center of the plate is called the verge line. Rimless plates commonly have a slightly concave structure and are known as coupe shape plates.
Plate Placement
In a conventional informal place setting, the dinner plate is placed in the center, directly in front of the diner. The salad plate goes directly to the left of the forks, on the left-hand side of the dinner plate. The bread and butter plate is placed on the left side of the dinner plate, directly above the forks. Dessert plates are normally not included in a place setting.
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