What Is a Charger Plate?
What Is a Charger Plate?
A charger plate is a decorative base set beneath dinnerware during formal meals. Also known as a service plate, it enhances the presentation of the table, adds structure to the setting, and protects table linens from spills or heat. It is not meant for direct food contact.
Why Is It Called a Charger Plate?
The name “charger” comes from the Middle English word chargeour, meaning a large dish used to hold food. While today charger plates are purely decorative, the term stuck because they "carry" or "hold" the rest of the dinnerware—like soup bowls, salad plates, or entrée plates.
Charger Plate Table Setting Tips
Charger plates are not just decorative—they elevate the entire dining experience. Here are a few practical tips to style them properly and make your table settings truly stand out:
Layer with Purpose: Always place the charger plate underneath the dinner plate, salad plate, or soup bowl. It's meant to frame your dishware and give a cohesive, elegant look.
Coordinate with Your Theme: Choose charger plates that complement your dinnerware and table decor—metallics for formal dinners, rattan or wood for rustic events.
Use Quality Materials: Opt for durable materials like glass, melamine, or metal, especially if you host events often or run a catering business.
Clean Before Guests Arrive: Even if they’re decorative, make sure the chargers are spotless—they’re the first thing your guests will notice.
Don’t Serve Food Directly on Them: Charger plates are not food-safe surfaces. Always use them underneath other plates and bowls.
Remove When Serving Dessert: Traditionally, chargers are cleared away before dessert is served unless you're reusing them for plating.
These tips ensure your table not only looks polished but also follows proper etiquette—ideal for weddings, holiday dinners, or upscale gatherings.
What Is the Purpose of a Charger Plate?
Charger plates serve three key functions at the dining table:
Add elegance and sophistication to your table setup.
Protect tablecloths from hot dishes and spills.
Create a layered, coordinated look by anchoring the dinnerware set.
How Do You Use a Charger Plate?
Place the charger on the table before guests are seated, and stack the soup bowl, salad plate, or dinner plate on top. Etiquette allows it to stay under the plates through all courses except dessert, unless local customs dictate otherwise.
How to Use Charger Plates in Table Decor
Use chargers to complement your dinnerware and color scheme.
Choose materials like glass, wood, acrylic, or rattan depending on the occasion.
Ideal for weddings, holiday dinners, or upscale events.
Can You Eat Off Charger Plates?
No. Charger plates are not food-safe surfaces. They are used strictly for presentation purposes, and food should always be served on the dishes placed above them.
Are Charger Plates Still in Style?
Yes, charger plates remain popular in modern table styling. With a variety of materials and designs available—minimalist, rustic, luxury—they're an essential piece for elevated dining experiences.