Most people think of a fork, a knife, and a spoon as enough to set the table. But one Viennese silversmith has gone viral for saying that’s only the beginning. His version of the “minimum requirement” for dining includes not just the basics, but more than a dozen specialized pieces that left viewers amazed.
The story
Jarosinski & Vaugoin, a silversmith store in Vienna that has been crafting flatware since 1847, shared a video on their Instagram, showcasing an array of spoons, forks, and knives that he described as essential. But it was far from the basic items we have at home.
On the table were the expected items: a table knife, a table fork, and a table spoon, as well as a long list of specialty pieces. They included bouillon soup spoons (large and small), dessert knives and forks, two kinds of fish cutlery, sandwich forks and knives, fruit knives and forks, a cake fork sharpened on one edge, coffee and tea spoons in different sizes, and even cutlery for grapefruit, compote, yogurt, ice cream, and eggs. Altogether, the “minimum” set looked closer to what most would expect in a formal dining hall than an everyday kitchen.
The reactions
The display quickly caught the attention of viewers, who found it fascinating and over the top. Some joked about how extensive the list was. “Can't wait to see the maximum requirement,” one person wrote, pointing out that if this were only the starting point, a complete set must be enormous.
Others poked fun by comparing it to the jumble of mismatched forks and spoons in most homes. One comment read: “me: spoon, spoon, spoon, fork, fork, spoon, knife, spoon, fork, fork, little fork, another fork, fork again, spoon, knife, knife's daughter, spoon-in-law.” For many, that reflected the reality of kitchen drawers filled with odds and ends, rather than the perfectly matched sets shown in the video.
There was also a sarcasm about missing items. “No sauce spoon? savage.” Several readers reported that they rely on chopsticks, or even just their hands, to get through their daily meals.
Some comments questioned the tradition itself. “Was this how consumerism started?” asked one user, hinting at how expanding cutlery sets may be good for the selling point of view, but in all honesty, how practical are they?
And of course, there was humor about the more unusual pieces. “I got stuck at fruit knife… how would you cut the blueberries? Pinky up?” The comments reflected that while the silversmith was serious, modern diners found parts of the list excessive.
On the other hand, some didn’t think it was unusual to have this much off-cutlery. One hotel management student explained that in formal hospitality settings, the list is far longer than what was shown in the video. Along with the usual table knives and dessert spoons, they mentioned extras such as pickle forks, lobster picks, cheese knives, pastry slicers, and serving pieces, including sorbet glasses and rice platters.
The comment highlighted the contrast between fine dining and everyday life. In professional settings, having dozens of utensils and serving pieces is considered normal, but for most people, it only highlights just how far removed formal table settings are from the average kitchen drawer.
What do people really need?
In everyday households, most people have far less. A standard setting usually includes a dinner knife, dinner fork, soup spoon, and teaspoon. Some families add dessert forks or serving spoons, but few stock specialized items, such as grapefruit spoons or cake forks sharpened on one side.
Formal European dining traditions once featured separate utensils for each course, but today those pieces are more likely to be found in luxury stores than in kitchen drawers.
Most people prioritize practicality and a sturdy set of basics that are sufficient for weekday meals and larger family gatherings. Still, for those who enjoy entertaining or want to elevate their table, there’s no shortage of high-end cutlery sets available from luxury brands that keep the tradition alive.
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