I worked as a butler for King Charles and here’s how to eat your favourite foods in high society
DO you know the “proper” way to eat a Pot Noodle?
An etiquette expert revealed on TikTok how to eat the tasty snack in polite company, with her video clocking up millions of views.
But do you know the correct way to eat other British staples when mixing with high society?
We spoke to etiquette expert Grant Harrold – also known as The Royal Butler – to find out.
Grant, from North Lanarkshire, who was butler to King Charles from 2004 to 2011, says the aim of eating in a refined setting is to “maintain dignity, posture and respect throughout”.
So, in case you’re invited to the palace for a snack, here he shares his tips to help you tuck in gracefully.
READ MORE ON FOOD
BACON SANDWICH
AS a rule, sandwiches are allowed to be eaten by hand, but they should be cut first to a more manageable portion – about the size of a finger sandwich.
If the bacon sandwich is greasy, it should be eaten completely with a knife and fork.
Never try to push the whole thing in your mouth, we are not anacondas – Ed Miliband, take note.
Most read in The Sun
BANANA
THE late Queen would be served her banana on a plate.
There you would cut the top and bottom off before slicing it down the middle, and into pieces then eating it with a knife and fork.
McDONALD’S
IT is important for a McDonald’s to be eaten at the table with proper place settings. All food should be taken from the packaging.
The burger is placed on your plate with the chips served in a separate bowl so these can be dished out with serving utensils to acquire the correct amount.
It is best to take the chips in smaller portions – you can always have more if you need them.
Pour any drinks into a decent glass. Do not drink from the cartons.
CRISPS
THESE are a canape and can be eaten with your hands.
The correct way is to take a couple from the serving dish with you to eat in your palm, on a serviette.
If you are eating anything like hummus, never double dip – it’s most impolite.
MARS BAR
COMING from Scotland, where the battered Mars bar is considered a delicacy, I suggest eating a standard Mars bar sat at a table with a knife and fork.
Slice through the wrapper to cut it in two. Remove the bar from the wrapper, without using your fingers, then cut into slices to eat.
Because it is pudding, you have the option of eating it with a dessert spoon if preferred.
SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE
SPAG bol would never be served at a high-society dinner because it is far too messy. But should it appear, it should be served with a fork and spoon.
With the fork in your left hand – the fork should always be in your left hand – you twist the pasta on to a dessert spoon to sustain control and reduce splashes.
It should be served in a bowl to allow you to spoon and eat any leftover sauce at the end.
PIZZA
THIS should be served at a table with a knife and fork.
It can either be served on your plate or on separate serving platters if there is the option of different toppings.
Each pizza slice should be eaten from the point out so you are able to mop up any sauce with the crust – all with a knife and fork, of course.
CEREAL
AS with soup, cereal should be eaten with a dessert spoon, in your right hand, going away from you to avoid splashes.
It was once considered bad manners to eat your leftover milk at the bottom, but it is now rude to leave it.