Dinnerware and serveware are the essential tools for setting your table and serving meals. Dinnerware refers to the dishes used for individual place settings, while serveware encompasses the platters, bowls, and other utensils used to present and share food.
Dinnerware Sets
- Dinner set/Tableware set: A collection of plates, bowls, cups, mugs, and saucers in a matching design and style, typically enough for 4, 6, 8, or 12 place settings.
Plates
- Plates: The foundation of a place setting, dinner plates are used for serving the main course. Salad plates are smaller and used for salads or appetizers, while bread plates are even smaller and intended for bread or rolls.
Bowls
- Bowls: Come in various sizes, with cereal bowls used for breakfast cereals, soup bowls for soups and stews, and pasta bowls for pasta dishes.
Cups and Mugs
- Cups: Used for hot beverages like coffee or tea. Teacups are typically smaller than coffee cups and come with a saucer.
- Mugs: Larger than cups and often have a handle. Used for coffee, tea, hot cocoa, or other hot beverages.
Saucers
- Saucers: Small plates that provide a stable base for a cup or mug to prevent spills and catch drips.
Serveware
- Serving dishes/Platters: Large, flat plates used for presenting and serving main courses, appetizers, or desserts. Platters are often oval or rectangular, while serving dishes can be round or square.
- Serving bowls: Larger than bowls used in place settings, serving bowls are used to present and share salads, vegetables, side dishes, or dips.
- Salad bowls: Specifically designed for serving salads, salad bowls are large and wide to allow for easy tossing of ingredients.
- Soup tureens: Lidded bowls with handles, used for serving soups or stews.
- Casserole dishes: Baking dishes used for cooking and serving casseroles, pastas, or other baked dishes.
- Gravy boats: Small, boat-shaped pitchers for serving gravy or sauces.
- Pitchers: Jugs for serving beverages, water, juice, or iced tea.
- Salt and pepper shakers: Small containers with holes on top for dispensing salt and pepper at the table.
- Sugar bowls/Creamers: Small containers for holding sugar and cream for coffee or tea.
- Butter dishes: A covered dish for storing and serving butter at the table.
- Trivets: Heat-resistant stands that protect tabletops from hot dishes.
- Coasters: Small mats placed under glasses or mugs to protect the table surface from moisture and heat.
- Chip and dip sets: A set that includes a bowl for dip and a platter with sections for chips or vegetables.
Dinnerware and serveware come in a vast array of materials, styles, and colors. Popular choices include ceramic, porcelain, stoneware, glass, and stainless steel. The type of dinnerware and serveware you choose will depend on your personal taste, budget, and entertaining needs.
