How to use Butler Stick
How to use Butler Stick
Uniquely, Bespoke Bureau & The British Butler Academy offer the Best butler training around and one of the topics we teach is how to use butler stick. Impressively, we have available teachers all year around so call us today on +442032900142 or email info@bespokebureau.com
Introduction
Read about how to use butler stick on this page. Interestingly, The Butler Stick has long been used in the Royal Palaces and the great estates of wealthy around the world. In fact, The Butler Stick is one of the secret tools of the highly trained professional. Uniquely, it allows them to accurately set the table. Remember accuracy helps define the mediocre from the truly professional Butler. So how does one use a Butler Stick correctly?
Below are a few simple tips to guide you through the process.
How to use a Butler Stick – The 24” Rule
In fact, this is one of the first rules you will be applying when preparing to set a formal table. The 24” rule refers to the ideal amount of space required from the centre of one plate to the centre of the other plate. This will allow the guest plenty of elbowroom. Moreover, the picture below illustrates my point. Remember this distance of 24” is considered the ideal spacing. Also, often you may need to decrease the distance because the table is not large enough.
For two adjacent place settings, the correct distance is 24” between the centre of one plate to the centre of the other plate. Noteworthy is that in metric, the conversion of 24 inches is approximately 60 centimetres.
Calibrating The Individual Place Setting With A Butler Stick
Obviously, there are a few guidelines when it comes to preparing an individual place setting. Actually, these guidelines will make the overall process of table setting both accurate and easy. Moreover, these guidelines for calculating individual place settings apply to all western style place settings. For example, North American, European, formal or informal.
Step by step
1: The base line for the place setting should always be +/- 1” from the edge of the table. The width of the Butler Stick is the ideal tool for this. Align the Butler Stick at the edge of the table.
2: The top of the Butler Stick becomes the base line for the place setting. Base line created by the top of stick
3: The measurement between the charger and the first knife will determine the spacing between all of the elements of the place setting.
4: Using the measurement between the charger and the first knife, apply this measurement to all of the points on this diagram. Also, each red dot represents the exact same amount of space as calculated in Step 3.Symmetry Of The Individual Place Setting
Of course, a place setting that is pleasing to the eye incorporates one of the basic principles of design and that is symmetry. Interestingly, when all the elements are arranged symmetrically with careful placement and exact spacing it creates balance and proportion. Finally, anyone who sees a well-executed place setting instinctively knows that standards of a professional Butler have been applied.
Symmetry of the Formal Table
The symmetry of the entire table is as important as the symmetry of the individual place setting. Again, the attention to detail sets the difference between a professional Butler and an amateur.
Of course, to set a formal table correctly you must take your time to ensure all the place settings are properly spaced. Importantly, this is a project that cannot be rushed. This is because symmetry requires mathematical calculation (see 24 Rule). Also, the aid of two handy tools. Finally, this process, of course is for the most formal of occasions and not suggested for everyday table settings.
Butler Stick and a long piece of string
There are two handy tools that you will need to be successful in achieving symmetry. Particularly on large dining tables. These two tools are a Butler Stick and a long piece of string. The Butler Stick will enable you to take measurements so the spacing of all elements on the table will be exact. The piece of string that is secured at both ends of the table is an ideal way to create a level base line for your place settings.
When you think of the scale of very large dining tables with 12, 25 or even 75 guests per side, the string and the Butler Stick are very handy tools to setting a symmetrical table. Once the table is set do a visual inspection of the whole table from one end to another to adjust any imperfections.
Contact us
Bespoke Bureau & The British Butler Academy offer the Best butler training. We have available teachers all year around so call us today on +442032900142 or email info@bespokebureau.com