Catering Equipment - The charger plate is a fantastic addition to just about any dinner setting, but its most appropriate home is the formal dinner party or multi-course offering. For caterers, the charger plate can be used where there is table service as opposed to a self-serve buffet line. The charger plate is intended to sit beneath the other dishes used during the meal and performs a number of functions in this setting. The most important is that of providing decorative value.
Catering Equipment - Appearance of Charger Plates - Charger plates are designed to be deeper than most types of plates because they're intended to hold smaller plates and bowls as the meal is served over several courses. The shape of the charger plate, the design and more can vary greatly. They are often exaggerated to add to the look of the place setting.
Decoration of Charger Plates - there's certainly no limitation on how charger plates look. They are as diverse as the cultures who employ them as well as the themes where they're used. From design and shape to etchings or paint, finishes and materials there are charger plates for virtually every event. Special materials can even be used to alter the design including flecks of gold, precious metal rings, marbling and more. Of course, for those events that a more formal and require some level of simplicity there are solid color charger plates or simple white charger plates to match the occasion.
Function of Charger Plates - While the primary function of the charger plate is intended to be decorative, they do serve another purpose. Many formal circles find that it is good etiquette to deliver hot foods and serve those hot foods on a charger plate. This keeps the guest from burning their hands as they adjust the plate or move it.
Of course even with that function, decoration is still vastly important when it comes to catered events. Most are decorated to match a specific color scheme or theme. Typically a center piece and other simple decorations bring the colors and theme together on the table but a charger plate that's appropriately matched can help bring it all together, and draw the theme right down into the place setting of the individual guest.
Charger Plate Materials - Because the charger plate is not used to serve food directly, it can be fashioned from a variety of materials that wouldn't normally be considered "food safe". This can include things like copper and other unfinished metals, stones, clay, pewter, etc. Even wood can be used including things like mahogany, bamboo or wicker. Not however that charger plates sometimes use unsafe materials and may post a health hazard if a guest were to eat directly from them.

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