The Truth About Tableware Quiz / Test | Food & Drink

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The round spoons shown in the photo would be a part of each guest's place setting at the meal when it is served. This spoon would be placed to right of the knives in each place setting. Although round spoons are shown, these spoons may have a more oval shape (as a traditional teaspoon would) and still serve the same purpose. What is this spoon called?

Answer: Soup spoon

Typically soup OR fruit is considered the "first course" and would be served after the appetizer. Generally a soup spoon - whether round or oval - is just slightly longer than a teaspoon. Most soup spoons are 6 to 7.5 inches long. In some situations these same spoons may be called tablespoon or place spoon.

In the most extensive collections of flatware there are different spoons for eating bouillon, cream soup and gumbo. Those three service pieces would be slightly different from a place spoon or, as shown, a soup spoon.

2. The knife and fork set shown in the photo is called a meat knife and fork set. This may also be called a carving set. You would find one of these at each guest's place setting at a formal dinner.

Answer: False

These are not individual service pieces! These pieces would be seen with the meat as it was being served but may or may not be presented in the same pattern as the other pieces of flatware and service ware. The knife should have a sharp, serrated edge and be at least 10 to 12 inches long.

The fork would be very sturdy with only two prongs (called prongs, not tines, for this piece) and be only slightly shorter than its knife companion. Both should be made to use and serve rather than to decorate and impress; although, a nice carving set could be very impressive!

3. The flatware piece shown in the photo is a small spoon in length - usually 4.5 to 5 inches long - with a rather flat bowl. Its bowl may be solid (as shown) or slotted and still serve the same purpose and be called by the same name. What is this spoon that may also be called a nut spoon?

Answer: Bonbon spoon

As its name indicates, this spoon is used to serve candy. These spoons may be very ornate and have a solid bowl - as the one in the photo is - or it may be plain and have a slotted bowl or any combination of those. Many times bonbon spoons will travel with small bowls - containing candy, nuts or other "finger" snacks - that match the handle of the spoon. And, thus, both may match the entire flatware pattern being used at the event.

It is not to be confused with a demitasse spoon which is also a smaller spoon but the demitasse spoon has more of a teaspoon shape and proportions - just smaller.

4. The utensil shown in this photo would be a part of the individual place setting. It should be placed diagonally across a small plate that is placed above and to the left of each guest's dinner plate. What utensil is shown?

Answer: Butter spreader

The butter spreader may also be called a butter knife - in some circles. Etiquette purists may disagree. There are those who identify a butter spreader such as the one shown as a smaller knife-like utensil - 4.5 to 6 inches long - with a flat blade and no cutting edge and always served at the individual place setting. Those would (then) differentiate the butter knife as being a bit longer - 5 to 7 inches long - and sturdier and presented with the butter as it is served. One would then cut the butter with the butter knife and place it on their own (small) plate and then spread the butter with their (individual) butter spreader.

It is one of those "depends on who you ask" identifications, though.

5. The utensil shown in this photo would be most likely seen at the beverage station. No deceit intended - it is just what it appears to be. The most unique pieces are often fashioned with the handle made to match the silverware pattern that is otherwise presented at the event. Thus, this utensil would be called a custom made - which of the following?

Answer: Bottle opener

Almost any tool or utensil can be "custom made" in the silverware pattern of choice but it may not be inexpensive. The custom made bottle opener shown in the photo is an example of an extravagant piece of silverware. Since the piece would be at the bar or beverage station - and, there most likely used by a bartender and/or other server - its aesthetic value would be limited to only those who are most observant and alert for such details. Or, it may be a totally fun piece to present and use at more casual gatherings - for the appearance of a totally posh and totally complete set of silverware. If you have a custom made bottle opener you must have every piece of your silver pattern!

6. The smaller fork shown in the photo is typically only 4.5 to 6 inches long and has the distinction of being the only fork ever placed on the right side of the plate. It is always has either two or three tines. It will be used when shellfish are served as an appetizer. What is it called?

Answer: Oyster fork

Oyster forks are often seen at formal dinners. It is individual utensil, one that is a part of each place setting. This fork may be called a cocktail fork or seafood fork. It is correctly called oyster fork - regardless of the cocktail (food) served with it.

As shown in the photo its tines are shorter (in proportion to its handle), with a slight curve and at least one tine will have an inside "cutting" edge. This configuration is designed to conform to the curve of the shells of edible seafood - oysters, clams, mussels, etc.

As mentioned in the question, it is placed on the right side of plate. It will usually be the most outside utensil on the right since shellfish should be served first - as a cocktail or appetizer.

7. As it appears, this utensil is a small ladle or spoon. Notice the rather oval shaped bowl that is bigger on one end than the other. This spoon would most likely be seen in a jar or bowl containing the condiment for which it is named. Maybe, it is very near another container of relish or chopped onions. In terms of formal dinnerware what is its name?

Answer: Mustard spoon

Mustard spoons, indeed, may be used to serve other condiments or food items (in place of a nut spoon or jelly server, for example) - maybe even ketchup or horseradish - but the name remains "mustard spoon". This spoon is not a stand alone piece and should always be used with a jar, bowl or other container of its food to be served. Mustard spoons are available in many of the formal dining patterns or as a part of a service set that may be in a basic pattern of universal appeal. Mustard spoons are 4 to 5 inches long.

8. This utensil is used to separate a single slice of cheese from a block of cheese. It is used in a drawing motion that cuts and lifts the slice of cheese. Often it is used on the harder varieties of cheese. What is its name of the tool shown in the photo?

Answer: Cheese plane

Although there are flatware and/or service pieces that can be identified as cheese spreaders and cheese knives (to my knowledge, cheese axe is a fabricated identity) the tool shown is a cheese plane. A cheese plane may also be called a cheese slicer - for its intended purpose.

Its very sharp, angled blade should be made of a study yet flexible material (a steel one is best) that will allow the user to cut a thin slice of cheese from any angle. The one shown in the photo is approximately 9 inches long.

9. Yes, this utensil does look like a big comb! It is usually 10 to 12 inches long and has one very specific use. During the 1930s and 1940s it may have been prevalent at most dinner parties but the decline of home baking makes it a rather unique piece in the early 21st century. What is it?

Answer: Cake Breaker

Cake breakers can be very beautiful pieces of silverware. As mentioned, they are large (10 to 12 inches long and 4 to 5 inches wide at the widest point) but are not supposed to be cumbersome. A cake breaker can be used alone or in tandem with a cake knife or cake saw.

It is inserted into the cake - from the top - and using a slight "wiggle" motion should break the cake at the point where the slice is desired. And, yes, there are (still) videos available to teach us how to use a cake breaker.

10. This service piece is a spoon. Its name is derived from the type of spirit it usually accompanies. Water is poured through a cube of sugar that is resting on the spoon which then dilutes and (ever so slightly) flavors the wormwood based alcoholic beverage. What is the name of this spoon?

Answer: Absinthe Spoon

There are many variations of the absinthe spoon but all should have the lip in the handle to allow the spoon to rest across the mouth of the glassware which contains the liquor. Some brands of absinthe (sold in America) come with a spoon included. Absinthe has its own history of controversy - it was banned in the United States (and, many other countries) for years due to its alleged harmful effects. Absinthe can be commercially sold now (in the early 21st century, that is) in the United States and to some extent it is enjoying a resurgence of its popularity.

Source: Author cowboybluedog

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor WesleyCrusher before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

The Truth About Tableware Trivia Quiz

Many of us have been faced with the uncomfortable situation of "What fork do I use?" With the aid of photos this quiz will differentiate and define some pieces of tableware - aka silverware and/or flatware. Some may NOT be a part of your every use.

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