How to Use a Fork and Knife Correctly

An easy-to-follow video tutorial designed specifically for tweens and teens!

General Tips for Using a Fork and Knife Correctly

• Hold your knife in your dominant hand and your fork in the other. A correct place setting will have the forks on the left and the knives on the right, so if you’re right-handed all you have to do is pick them up and they will be in the correct hands! If you’re left-handed, feel free to switch them so the knife is in your left hand.
• When you’re cutting, the fork holds the food still and the knife cuts slowly and firmly. Be careful not to saw!
• Keep your index finger planted firmly on the back of the utensil to give you the most control while cutting.
• A good server will set your plate down with your protein closest to you (making it easiest to reach when cutting). However, if they do not, feel free to rotate your plate.

American Style

When using the American Style of Dining, after you cut a bite of food, place the knife down with the knife blade facing you in the top right area of your plate (top left if you’re left-handed). Switch your fork to your dominant hand and bring the food to your mouth with the tines of the fork facing up.

When you’re ready for another bite, switch the fork back to your left hand and pick up the knife again with the right.

When you’re not using your left hand, it should rest in your lap.

Continental Style

When using the Continental (or European) Style of Dining, after you cut a bite of food, simply use the fork to bring the food to your mouth with the tines of the fork facing down.

Your knife stays in your right hand the entire time and the fork stays in the left (for a right-handed person).

The underside of your forearms rests on the table the entire time.

American vs. Continental Style of Dining – which is better?

This varies by country. In the United States, either style is acceptable and it’s simply a matter of personal preference.

Why using a Fork and Knife Correctly Matters

Using a fork and knife correctly gives you the most control over your utensils so you are more efficient with the cutting process.

It also looks more professional and polished (holding your utensils like a caveman doesn’t give a great first impression to your tablemates)!

And lastly, using your fork and knife correctly helps you to eat slowly and neatly. This facilitates better conversation and interactions with the people around the table- which is the whole purpose of dining etiquette!

Learn more Table Manners in my Dining Etiquette Course

For a deeper dive into table manners, check out my Dining Etiquette Course for Tweens and Teens. It is designed for 6th-12th graders and includes basic table manners all the way up to a formal dinner.