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Did you know that the dining experience is truly an experience that diners should enjoy from start to finish? Life is too short to gobble up food out of plastic containers, rush off to the next date, and then forget about one of the good things about our earthly existence. In fact, man through the generations and civilizations has always found ways to enhance the gastronomic experience and we are privileged to continue the tradition of good food, good company and the good life.

This privilege can be exercised when hosting dinners for family and friends. As part of the dining experience, you should start thinking about the dinnerware that will be used for the party.

Yes, you read that correctly, dinnerware, because plates, bowls, glasses, forks and spoons are an integral part of the dining experience. Why? Well, read on and find out why.

First impressions are the last

Let’s admit it. The first thing we notice at a dinner party is the type of tableware that is used for the simple reason that the food has not yet been laid out. This is especially true for formal dinners where waiters are available to serve food or for sit-down dinners where food will be distributed as courses progress from soups to desserts to coffee.

As such, it’s setting the stage for first impressions that we all know by now often last whether we like it or not. For example, fine china along with equally fine cutlery from the Oneida Juilliard or Oneida Easton collection makes a better impression than using obviously cheap plastic items.

Set the mood

Proper dinnerware also sets the mood by complementing both the look of the food and the overall theme of the dinner. As chefs and culinary experts will tell you time and again, the presentation of food on a plate and platter is half the battle won by the affection of the diners and their stomachs.

For example, Spanish dish paella is best served on a plate with solid colors that complement the tantalizing hues of the various ingredients. Imagine if you were served paella on a multi-colored plate and your dining experience will somehow have a rough note.

Also, the tableware can set the mood for the holidays. For example, plates in the Christmas colors of gold, green and red complement the overall theme of the dining room.

Functional purposes

Of course, the tableware has functional purposes. In fact, function must take precedence over fashion when choosing tableware. The good news is that many of the dinnerware selections offer equal parts functionality and fashion. These functions include:

• Keep food as hot as possible.
• Keep portion control.

Most importantly, the dinnerware keeps the food where it’s supposed to be and also maintains aesthetics. Soups should be in soup bowls; drinks must be in glasses and flutes; main dishes should be on food plates; desserts must be on dessert plates; you must already have the idea.

These are the reasons why dinnerware is an important component of any dining experience, whether in a casual or formal setting.