Etiquette for the Chef's Table at a Restaurant

Sitting at a chef's table is often the ultimate goal for restaurant connoisseurs, and is usually reserved for only the most important guests. Generally found in high-end restaurants, the chef's table dates back several hundred years to France where important guests were invited to dine with the chef and his staff before an evening's entertainment or to try a new dish. While originally reserved for friends or dignitaries, nowadays people can often purchase a place at the chef's table for a large amount of money. No matter how one obtains access to the table, whether through paying or being invited, proper manners and etiquette must be followed for the special table. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Sitting

Enter your seat from the right-hand side, and if you are a male with females in your group, help them take their seats before sitting in your own. To show respect to the establishment and those you are dining with, sit up straight and place any items you carry with you, such as a purse, on the ground. Once you are seated, the chef will generally come over and greet those sitting at her table; cordially greet her and thank her for letting you eat in her kitchen.

Utensils

Using the proper utensils applies to the chef's table the way it applies to any other table in a high-end restaurant. Begin using those utensils located on the outside and slowly use the ones beside it, working from the outside in, as the different plates are served. While eating, if taking a break, place the utensils on the place, creating a V in its middle. Once finished, place the utensils together on the side of a plate.

Eating

Your meal will be served slightly more quickly than if you were sitting out in the restaurant due to your proximity to the chef. However, be patient with the meal and consume it slowly. If there are several courses, do not request the next one until everyone around your table is finished. As with all tables, talking with a full mouth is unacceptable.

Respect for Kitchen

Often a kitchen will be working around a chef's table to prepare other orders for the front of the house. To respect this work and keep the kitchen running smoothly, those sitting at the chef's table should be unobtrusive in the overall scheme of the restaurant. Make an effort to talk in a quiet voice and avoid standing up quickly or walking in the way of the chef, busboys or servers.