[Jeff Alton]

Originally Posted by Zeke

The charger can be use as a base plate for courses to come or removed before the first course. It just depends on the level of formality. The point being that you would not sit at a table without a complete table setting as you would normally do in a restaurant.

So it is not the dinner plate per se. It could be slightly larger and it could be silver instead of china. More of a banquet thing.

We put the dinner plate on the table (no charger) and serve buffet style except for a few things passed at the table such as rolls and accoutrements. So guests pick up their plate and head to the chuck wagon.

Depending on whether you offer a prayer, a blessing or a toast, a good time for that is when folks are seated at the table before removing the plate to serve oneself.

We do the buffet because I found that passing everything around amounted to the food getting cold before you were finished with serving. And everyone doesn't have to wait for the last to be served before eating.

My wife and I are the only ones with any manners anyway. The rest are boors.

This is a great explanation.

No food on the Charger, it is decorative.

Cheers