Chilled Forks

I was in a very nice restaurant last night and when the dessert was brought to the table the waiter brought out 2 chilled forks. What is the purpose of that?

It was a great presentation, but I wasn't sure why they do that.

Thanks for your help.

New dishwasher guy hid them in the fridge...
Or maybe to keep the ice cream from melting..

Well, it insures a new, cold fork, anyway.

What do you get if you order a hot apple pie? A steaming hot fork? Sorry, IMHO, it's a stupid idea.

When serving chilled deserts it is proper to serve them on chilled plates with chilled forks. Cold salads should also be served on chilled plates or in chilled bowls.

Ive also been served cold appetizers (like shrimp cocktail) with chilled utensils.

Michael hit it on the head. Chilled forks with cold desserts and salads is a nice touch in finer restaurants. Some also use a chilled salad plate, a chilled sorbet dish, chilled cold appetizer plate as Ashphalt indicated.

It's similar to having your entree plate warmed prior to food being plated and served.

quote:

Originally posted by ChiTownDiner
Chilled forks with cold desserts and salads is a nice touch in finer restaurants. It's similar to having your entree plate warmed prior to food being plated and served.

What a concept, let me see if I store my forks outside tomorrow
and keep my plates in the smoker until just before serving, oh
sorry I guess at first I missed that part about fine dining.
LOL
Jack

quote:

Originally posted by oscar5933


It was a great presentation, but I wasn't sure why they do that.

Thanks for your help.

I have searched etiquette, table manners, and table settings and none mention anything about serving chilled forks. Wikipedia did make mention of some things that were done to give the impression of high society. Formal or non formal dining made no mention of chilling any flatware.
So take the fork out of the freezer and put in your beer mug.

I found more than one reference online to chilled dessert forks. Here is one:

http://whatscookingamerica.net/MudPie.htm

I have been served chilled forks on chilled plates for salad........nice touch in a restaurant. On the other side,at home, I always put my hot food on heated platters or heated bowls to keep it warm for the table.

quote:

Originally posted by Dr of BBQ

quote:

Originally posted by ChiTownDiner
Chilled forks with cold desserts and salads is a nice touch in finer restaurants. It's similar to having your entree plate warmed prior to food being plated and served.

What a concept, let me see if I store my forks outside tomorrow
and keep my plates in the smoker until just before serving, oh
sorry I guess at first I missed that part about fine dining.
LOL
Jack

But then you would have a cold fork with a hot plate and that could get you in forking trouble!

quote:

Originally posted by Dr of BBQ

quote:

Originally posted by ChiTownDiner
Chilled forks with cold desserts and salads is a nice touch in finer restaurants. It's similar to having your entree plate warmed prior to food being plated and served.

What a concept, let me see if I store my forks outside tomorrow
and keep my plates in the smoker until just before serving, oh
sorry I guess at first I missed that part about fine dining.
LOL
Jack

The only problem with that, Jack, is that the plastic gets brittle when it's cold and paper catches fire when exposed to heat!

Just another "high society" affectation. Phony baloney stuff !!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

Just another "high society" affectation. Phony baloney stuff !!!!!

I agree. I guess, when folks are paying an arm and a leg for their "high-end" eating, affectations such as this make the tab somewhat easier to swallow. pb

I have a friend who always keeps a martini glass and a silver spoon in his freezer to use for his evening libation.

My Mom always served chilled forks with cold salads,etc.I think it is very old school.I always thought it was a neat thing as a young girl, but not a tradition I carried over in my adulthood.I do admit when I go to a restaurant and they use this practice,I find the memory it brings to be pleasant, and worth a smile..

quote:

Originally posted by the ancient mariner

Just another "high society" affectation. Phony baloney stuff !!!!!

They used to say that about using table forks.

The funny thing was that they didn't just bring chilled forks, they brought them in a tall glass filled with chipped ice. Again, great presentation I just wondered what the purpose was.

The dessert was a raspberry chambord cake with while chocolate butter cream icing and white chocolate shavings, to die for!

Dessert was $7.95, but a huge piece of cake that 3 people shared easily.

Thank you all for your input

The only thing I really want chilled is my beer mug!

quote:

Originally posted by chewingthefat

The only thing I really want chilled is my beer mug!

Chilled, yes, frosted, no.