The biggest mistake you make in a Michelin-starred restaurant
Last Monday, the Food Top 100 was organized by Favor Flav and alongside the countdown of the number 1 foodie star of the year, there was a 6-course dinner on the agenda. I was allowed to attend, and this fancy dinner made me think: what should you pay attention to at the table in such a nice setting or, for example, in a Michelin-starred restaurant? And okay, we all know that you hold your knife in your dominant hand and that being rude at the table is not polite, so here are some fancier etiquettes for the table.
‘You may take a seat here’
Okay, let's start at the entrance: wait at the reception until you are helped and a table is pointed out. Greet the waiter and sit down. Here’s my first tip: Stay sitting up straight. In a Michelin-starred restaurant, you can better leave the ‘couch’ position behind you. Don’t lean back, keep your shoulders off the table, and just sit up straight. There should be at least a fist between your knees and the chair legs, and it's best to let your shoulders rest on the backrest. And elbows on the table is also a no-go, although I have seen some posh ladies do it.
You’re sitting, and now?
Alright, you’re sitting, the first tensions are already off you. There are 6 forks, 6 knives, and 2 spoons on your table, but where to start? Well, you work from the outside in, for the first dish you take the outermost cutlery and work your way inwards. And that napkin – where do you put that? Here’s a folding lesson with Keesje: fold the napkin into a triangle and place it with the point down on your lap. If you need to go to the bathroom during dinner (you also can’t say toilet), say ‘Excuse me, I’m going to wash my hands’ – don’t place the napkin on the table, it doesn’t go with you to the bathroom, but just leave it on your chair. A real big no-go.
is if you whistle or call out to the waiter. If you need something, look around to see if you can spot a host or hostess, and then you can subtly raise your hand. You’re in a nice restaurant, so if all goes well, someone will come your way soon. Ask things subtly and with respect , but don’t feel too shy if you want to ask something. Let’s talk, It varies greatly which topics you can and cannot talk about, depending on the company you’re with. But in a €€€ restaurant, it’s not very appropriate to gossip, whisper, or talk about what silly thing your ex has done again. Also a no-go in my opinion is discussing unpleasant things - like how your doctor treated your open wound.
find the best
conversation topics. Here for the table. You didn’t stand in front of the mirror for hours for this dinner for nothing, so enjoy every bite and discuss the food and the flavors with your dining companions. Awkwaaaard Another important point: don’t eat more courses than the person you’re dining with. If you’re in a group, discuss together.
how many courses you’re going to order.
This way, you avoid awkwardness and you’re not the only one at the table eating. Another awkward topic: who pays. for it? Etiquette expert Beatrijs Ritsema says: ‘ Whoever sends the invitation pays .‘ This etiquette really only applies to formal dinners and not when a colleague asks you to grab a bite. What often happens; one person pulls out the credit card and later sends the others a Tikkie.‘So, now you know everything you need to know. Now I wish you a lot of fun at your (maybe first) dinner in a Michelin-starred restaurant. And oh yes, don’t forget to thank the waiter and possibly the person who paid for the dinner. And give a generous tip, actually 10 percent of the bill. I know; that’s a lot, but then you can be sure that you’ll be treated just as well next time..Last Monday, the Food Top 100 was organized by Favor Flav and alongside the countdown of the number 1 foodie star of the year, there was a 6-course dinner….
Here’s what you need to stick to.
