1.

2.

To start with, the fork is on the left side of the plate and the knife is on the right side.
To cut into items on your plate, pick up and hold your knife in your right hand. The index
finger is mostly straight and rests near the base of the top, blunt side of the blade. The other
four fingers wrap around the handle.
3.
Hold your fork in your left hand. The tines (prongs) face away (downward)from you. The
index finger is straight, and rests on the back-side near the head of the fork,(but not so close
you are in danger of touching the food) The other four fingers wrap around the handle.
4.
Bend the wrists, so that your index fingers are pointing down towards your plate. This
makes the tip of the knife and fork also point towards the plate somewhat.
5.
Hold the food with the fork, by applying pressure through the index finger. Cut with the
knife, in the same way.
o
Essential* Place knife down on plate, Move the fork into the Right hand and
place food into mouth, (the ubiquitous cut and fork into mouth is not the correct way).
6.
Bring smallish bits of food to your mouth with the fork, repeat.( if you must angle the item,
or lips/ teeth, to get it into your mought it is too large)
7.
Rice and small items are picked up by the fork in a slight scooping manner, rather than
stabbing at. (always exceptions, something that rolls is difficult to stay on the fork)
8.
There is no need to use the knife to divert items to the fork, especially the back side of
the fork. Don't pile items on the back side of the fork as if it were some type of art work. Turn
the fork over.
9.
Try laying the utensils down both together at an angle when finished, at a 11 o'clock to 4
o'clock positioning. This is much more desired than upside down, laying off the plate, or on the
sides, like a bridge.
10.
The main point here is to not be in a hurry. Slow down. The utensils are laid down often,
and not held in clenched fists. The fork is never let go.

Tips
1.

Relax the shoulders. They can get hunched up at first.

2.
3.

Take your time to cut bite-size pieces.

Bring it the gently to your mouth, so as not to spill them on your front.

Warnings

Don't stick your elbows out! Learn to keep them in against the sides of the body.
Otherwise you might knock your neighbour!

American Style: Knife in right hand, fork in left hand holding food. After a few bite-sized pieces of
food are cut, place knife on edge of plate with blades facing in. Eat food by switching fork to right
hand (unless you are left handed).
Continental/European Style: Knife in right hand, fork in left hand. Eat food with fork still in left
hand. The difference is that you don't switch hands-you eat with your fork in your left hand, with
the prongs curving downward.