Eating Bread Business Dining Etiquette University Etiquette

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Bread is not a first course. A roll, biscuit, bun, or a muffin is to be at each meal as a sign of hospitality. Bread served as a loaf is to be grasped with a clean napkin and cut in half. One cut half is to be turned, and from the large side is to be cut a few thin slices. Bread is to remain at table until the correction of it: just before serving dessert. Sliced bread at dinner may be economical; it is not etiquette. Sliced bread is for sandwiches and toast. Commercially, bread served with a meal has been seen to be sliced. This is a deviation allowed for the social good.

Avoid eating bread and butter (or olive oil) as a first course. Bread can be provided as atmosphere, but is to be eaten after the main course is served. Bread is to be placed on a bread and butter plate. It can be placed on a dinner plate. It may be preset unbuttered on a tablecloth.

Untoasted bread, cold or hot, that is about to be eaten can be placed on a bread and butter plate. A torn off piece of bread can be held on the bread and butter plate and buttered prior to being eaten. Then this small piece is placed in the mouth using your right hand. Repeat, bread is to be eaten, knife at rest, with the right hand.

Avoid cutting a roll with a knife. Avoid holding a whole roll or piece of bread in the palm of your hand and dressing it. Avoid using bread as a test instrument to see which teeth are intact: showing teeth marks in the bread you are eating.

The rest of the bread can be admired now and eaten later. It can be used for croutons or bread pudding, or shared by and with staff. Dream the dream.