A Guide to Essential Flatware and Servingware Every Restaurant Needs
In restaurants across Louisiana, flatware is more than a tabletop necessity—it’s part of the story each establishment tells through its food and hospitality. Much like Toni Tipton-Martin’s approach to culinary heritage, the right restaurant servingware blends tradition, practicality, and a sense of care for the dining experience.
At Cayard’s Foodservice Equipment & Supplies in Baton Rouge, we help operators choose foodservice utensils that support their menu, reflect their brand, and withstand the daily demands of commercial kitchens. Below is a thoughtful guide to the essential pieces every foodservice operation should consider.
Spoons: Purposeful Tools With Everyday Utility
Browse our selection of spoons here
Spoons are among the most versatile pieces of commercial kitchen essentials, carrying everything from broths to desserts with quiet reliability. Cayard’s offers durable options from brands such as Winco and Vollrath, trusted throughout the industry.
Teaspoon
A basic but indispensable utensil, useful for beverages, light desserts, and tasting.
Dessert Spoon
Slightly larger than a teaspoon and perfect for mousse, custard, cobblers, and soft desserts.
Tablespoon
A multi-purpose tool helpful in both service and prep—excellent for portioning sides or plating dishes.
Soup Spoon
Round, deep, and ideal for gumbos, bisques, stews, and comforting Louisiana classics.
Demitasse Spoon
Small and elegant, made for espresso and hot specialty beverages.
Bouillon Spoon
A shallow, refined spoon used specifically for broths and clear soups.
Iced Tea / Soda Spoon
Long-handled to reach tall glasses, parfaits, milkshakes, and classic Southern sweet tea.
Grapefruit / Citrus Spoon
Serrated at the tip to help scoop citrus segments cleanly—popular in breakfast, brunch, and buffet settings.
Forks: Versatility Across Dining Styles
Browse our selection of forks here
Forks help shape the dining experience through design, weight, and utility. Cayard’s offers strong, well-balanced options from Winco and Vollrath to support every menu type.
Dinner Fork
The standard fork used for entrées and daily dining.
Cocktail / Oyster Fork
Small and sharp, ideal for seafood service, hors d’oeuvres, and raw bar offerings.
Dessert Fork
Short, with tine spacing optimized for pies, cakes, pastries, and plated sweets.
Salad Fork
Often wider, with tines designed to pick up greens and composed salads.
European Dinner Fork
Heavier and larger for a more formal dining setting.
Snail Fork
A specialty utensil used primarily for escargot or other shell-dish service.
Knives: Reliability at Every Cut
Browse our selection of knives here
Knives play a vital role in front- and back-of-house operations. For kitchen prep, Cayard’s proudly carries professional cutlery from Dexter Russell, a brand celebrated for craftsmanship and durability.
European Dinner Knife
Slightly heavier and refined, offering a more upscale, Continental dining experience.
Dinner Knife
A dependable, multi-use knife suitable for most entrée slicing.
Butter Knife
Smooth, rounded, and ideal for bread service and soft spreads.
Butter Spreader
Broad and paddle-like—perfect for soft butter, jams, and condiments.
How to Choose the Right Servingware for Your Establishment
The process of selecting restaurant servingware benefits from the same thoughtful care applied to recipe development or menu design. Keep these considerations in mind:
Durability and Material
Stainless steel grade impacts performance and longevity. Operators often rely on Winco, Vollrath, and Dexter Russell for dependable, commercial-grade construction.
Menu Needs
A café might invest heavily in teaspoons and dessert forks, while a seafood house may prioritize oyster forks and spreaders.
Guest Comfort & Presentation
The weight, balance, and style of flatware subtly influence how guests experience your food.
Brand Story and Ambiance
Formality, comfort, and Southern hospitality all play into your selection.
Cayard’s: Your Partner in Commercial Kitchen Essentials
From selecting utensils to outfitting a complete dining room, Cayard’s Foodservice Equipment & Supplies is here to support Louisiana operators with high-quality tools and attentive service.
Whether you’re opening a new concept or refreshing your front-of-house essentials, our Baton Rouge team can guide you toward flatware and servingware built to serve shift after shift.
