Janipher Uwimana of Top Hill Hotel in Remera Kiporoso unveiled some steps that will impress your guests. They’ll be sure you had a former career in fine dining, the hotelier assures.

Begin with laying out a nice tablecloth. Always give the priority to traditional white for a formal setting or something with more colour for a festive occasion.

Place a dinner plate directly in front of each guest’s chair. On top of each dinner plate, you may place a salad plate or soup bowl. Lay the forks on the table to the left of the plate, with the shorter and wider salad fork directly next to the plate.

Place a dinner knife on the table directly to the right of the dinner plate with its blade facing the plate and a soup spoon to the right of the knife.

Position all drinking glasses at the top right corner of the plate, directly above the knife and spoon. Arrange the glasses in a slanting or V-pattern, whichever you prefer, simply make them easily accessible by your guests.

Place a small bread plate directly above the forks and lay bread and butter knife horizontally across the plate. You can arrange a dessert spoon and fork horizontally on the dining table above the main plate and place them close together facing opposite directions.

Finally, add a cloth napkin to the far left of the place set next to the forks or fold the napkin into any number of fancy designs and place it on top of the plates.

Add your personal touch to create a more colorful dining experience by setting out a special centerpiece such as a bouquet of flowers. Candles will also add a certain something. Bon appetit!

Contact: pauluskayiggwa@yahoo.com