Some people call the plates used to ‘charge’ full-course dinners as decorative plates or charger plates. These plates are big enough to hold plates, napkins, utensils, and cups used in dining.
However, charger plates aren’t used for food, so they can be created from a wide range of materials. Unfortunately, they can also be embellished with toxic substances that could hurt you if you eat them.
Can you use decorative plates for food? Because decorative plates don’t have to be food-safe, they can be made from a broader range of materials. Many of these plates are made of metal, bamboo, pearl shell, resin, and more.
In Europe, charging plates are used during service à la russe, a way of eating in which each course is given to your table in order, and the food is put on your plate by the waiter before you get it.
In the United States, charging plates are typically larger than most dinner plates. As a result, some professional caterers take down the decorative charger plate as quickly as the guests are seated not to look messy.
What is the Difference Between a Charger and a Plate?
Charger plates are placed on the table at the start of a meal and stay there for most of the courses before the main course. Chargers are taken off the table after the main course is served and are supplanted with the main dinner plate.
A decorative charger plate is a beautiful and underused part of a table setting. It’s called “decorative” because it doesn’t touch any food. Instead, it serves as a beautiful surface on which food-carrying dishes and bowls are placed.
During formal or casual settings, chargers can be made of all kinds of different materials. They may also protect the table from hot air and humidification from plates, or they can be pretty.
Charger plate etiquette changes a little bit based on the preferences of the dining host, but there are some general rules. As soon as your guests arrive, put the plate on the table. Some hosts take it away before they serve food.
Charger plates are often retained during the soup, first courses, and the main course. They serve as a base for food-bearing bowls and dishes and help keep the food from spilling.
What is the Difference Between a Placemat and a Charger?
Plates with placemats are still popular, but the charger plate trend is growing more quickly for high-end dining experiences. While placemats are made with softer materials like wicker, plastic, and cloth—charger plates are made with more durable options like metal, resin, and ceramic.
Some glass and wood chargers are also accessible, but glass chargers have become less popular in the last few years. So instead, most restaurants use the same dinnerware they use to serve food for their charger plate, but with a little extra flair.
Glass chargers may not be as prevalent as they used to be because they aren’t as safe as they used to be. Also, these charger plates are made in large batches, but the number of plates used doesn’t always match the number of dishes made.
You don’t need to put a placemat under a charger most of the time. Placing your charging plate on a tablecloth is okay, although not ideal. Chargers are decorative elements that safeguard the tablecloth or table and add color and etiquette, like placemats. They do the same thing as placemats.
If you don’t want your tablecloth or table to get dirty, you can leave the chargers on the table for the whole meal. Use a placemat to protect your table or tablecloth if you take your charger off before the main course comes.
What is the Meaning of Charger Plate?
Charger plates, also known as show plates, are becoming more popular in catered events, banquets, and private golf clubs. These large plates, used for casual and informal dinner, improve the ambiance and dining experience.
Wealthy families used gold charger plates in the past. This ornated plate was just put on top of regular stainless steel plates. At times, it was also made of pewter. Today, they are made with a lot of different things.
Nowadays, hosts like how the plate looks with the dinner dishes, leaving it as part of the table design and decor. However, some hosts think that the charger should be taken off before the dessert course is served.
These plates are for ornamental reasons only and should not contact food. In general, charger plates are about 13 inches wide. Dinner plates are about 10 to 10.5 inches wide.
Charger plates are functional and stylish in any formal dinner setting. They keep the dining table in place and make the room look nice for guests. If you have a lot of different colors and materials to choose from, there’s no doubt that you’ll be able to find the charger plate that fits the ambiance of any event.
Why Do They Call Chargers?
The word “charger” came from the Middle English word “chargeour” between 1275 to 1325, and it has been used ever since. Before, a charger plate meant either a large platter or a large, shallow ramekin for fluids.
Charging plates are mainly used to hold plates or bowls. Everybody can serve right away in a container that has already been set up on the table, rather than setting up plates and then serving.
Charger plates also ensure that the tablecloth isn’t too dirty. If you want to use a fancy tablecloth for a special event, make sure you also bring out your chargers.
These decorative plates can be used quickly to make your dining table look better. A simple table can look elegant and classy with a few colorful charger plates. In addition, it gives their walls a unique look if they hang these plates on their walls.
These plates can be used quickly to make your dining table look better. A simple table can look elegant and classy with a few colorful charger plates. In addition, it gives their walls a unique look if they hang these plates on their walls.
It is sometimes heated before food is put on it. This helps keep the food warm during the meal. Nonetheless, this may not be possible now. If plastic is used, this may not be possible now.
