If you have ever been to a formal eating event, you have probably been served food on a charger plate. Although many people will use charger plates at some point during their life, this common table piece is not always well understood. These four questions are some of the most commonly asked ones about the piece.
What Is a Charger Plate?
A charger plate is a large base placed at every seat in a formal dining event. These bases are often decorative and are used to place other dinnerware on top of, such as appetizer plates and soup bowls.
Can I Use a Placemat Instead of a Charger Plate?
Charger plates are designed to be placed on top of a placemat setting. Glass charger plates will particularly look elegant on top of a placemat. Certain upscale restaurants have decided to get rid of the placemat when they are using charger plates, but it is still expected in other formal dining situations.
When Should I Use Charger Plates?
You can use charger plates whenever you like, but they are typically reserved for the most formal eating events. This includes weddings, catered events and banquets.
Can I Eat Food Directly From a Charger Plate?
Charger plates were not designed to eat food, because they were often made from materials that were not food grade. Many glass charger plates are safe to eat food from, though you should always check before you place food on top of a charger plate to see if the material is safe.
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