CHAPTER 3

TABLE MATERIALS
1. Table cloth
 A material used to cover the entire 2. Silence cloth
surface of the table plus a few inches  A heavy like material used underneath
overhang, 1 to 16” for sit down meals and the table cloth.
floor length for buffet service
3. Runners 4. Place mat
 Are long, narrow strips of cloth used to  Table covering and plate
bare tables without underliners underliner.
5. Top Cloth 6. Dinner Napkin
 Size 20x20 , Vary in size and type of material
A small pieces of materials placed on top depending on the use.
of the tablecloth.
 8. Tea napkin
7. Luncheon/Breakfast Napkin  Size 12x12, A small napkin used when
 Size 17x17, which should match the tea is served
table linen.
9. Cocktail napkin
 Size 10x10, This is smallish, cheap
square napkin designed for use in bars, as a
coaster.
 RESTAURANT SERVICE EQUIPMENT

LINEN
Linens are fabric goods, such as table cloth, linen is a material made from the fiber of the flax plant.
Originally, many items such as bed sheets and tablecloth, were made of linen. Today, the term “linen” has
come to be applied to all related products even though most are made of cotton, various synthetic materials
or blends, The main linen items normally found in a restaurant are: tablecloths, slip cloths, buffet cloths,
trolley and sideboard cloths, and waiter’s cloths or service cloths.
Table Cloth
made from cotton or linen are not only more absorbent but also last longer. The fibers do not pill or pile
as easy as with synthetic table linens and they do not become shiny when exposed to an iron’s heat.
Egyptian cotton and Irish linen are considered the finest materials for table linen because of their long and
durable fibers. White is the most color for table linens because it’s considered formal. Table linens in off
white or ivory are also acceptable. A damask (woven) or embroidered pattern is acceptable table cloth.
Round Table
72 inch (6 feet) diameter table (seats 8-10)
60 inch (5 feet) diameter table (seats 6-8)
48 inch (4 feet) diameter table (seats 4-6)
36 inch (3 feet) diameter table (seats 4)
Rectangular Table
8ft x 30 inches table (seats 8-10)
6ft x 30 inches table (seats 6-8)
4ft x 30 inches table (seats 4-6)
Square Table
36 x 36 inch square table (seats 4)
Silencer
It used primarily as a cover to line your table, protect against scratches and dings (the sound produced when
wares are accidentally collide, hit or dumped.) from serving plates and silverwares.
Napkin
A napkin or serviette is a square or rectangle cloth or paper used at the table for wiping the mouth or ands while
eating, It is usually small and folded. Normally, the napkin is folded and placed on the left of the table setting,
outside the outermost fork. In a more formal restaurant setting, it may be folded into intricate shapes and
displayed on the empty plate. A napkin may also be held together in a bundle, (with cutlery) by a napkin ring. On
the other hand, paper napkins placed in holders are also widely used and accepted.
Sizes: 18”x18”
21”x21”
Placemats
Placemats are used primarily to prevent the flatware from moving while the guest are
eating. This also adds as an accent to the table setting. Its size depends on the function but
normally it is 14” x 20”.
Table Runner
Instead of covering the entire table, a table runner covers only the middle section,
”running” the length of the table. It is used to “dress up” a dining table and comes in a
variety of patterns and sizes designed for different lengths.
See you on next Chapter…