What is Cutlery?
[[File:Soup Spoon.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A spoon]] [[File:BLW Cutlery Set.jpg|thumb|right|230px|A set of 16th century French cutlery]] '''Cutlery''' refers to [[tool]]s used for preparing, serving and eating food. The most common types of cutlery are [[knife|knives]], [[spoon|spoons]] and [[fork|forks]]. Other words for cutlery are silverware, tableware, utensils and flatware. The best quality cutlery may be made of [[silver]], but more often silver [[plating]]. [[Stainless steel]] is used for most good quality household cutlery. [[Pewter]] was often used in the past for cheap cutlery. [[Nickel silver]], sometimes called German silver, is another [[alloy]], with [[copper]], nickel, and zinc in it. [[Plastic]] cutlery is used for eating [[fast food]], because it is very cheap, and may be thrown away afterwards. Serving practice and use of cutlery varies somewhat between cultures. Formal dinners have cutlery set out in a traditional manner. There will be two sets of knives and forks, an outer smaller set for the first course and a larger inner set for the main course. Cutlery for later courses will usually be delivered with those courses. In an informal [[restaurant]], cutlery may come wrapped in a [[cloth]] [[napkin]] ([[serviette]]). [[China|Chinese]] and [[Japanese cuisine|Japanese]] food is eaten with [[chopsticks]], and food pre-cut to a size suitable for that method. Some other oriental cuisines are eaten by fork and spoon, with no knife. {{Commonscat}} [[Category:Food utensils]]