Where Did the Name Restaurant Charger Plates Come From? A Dive into Its History

Before we delve into the history and give you a better idea of a charger plate, imagine an elegant restaurant table set up for a night to remember—followed by mouthwatering food, fantastic wine, and delightful company. Now that you’re in this scenario, let us introduce you to restaurant charger plates—a decorative base setting used during each dining course. So, where did the name “charger plate” come from? Here’s everything you need to know about its origin. 

The History and Origin of Restaurant Charger Plates

The word “chargeour,” which can be found in literature from Ancient English and Scotland, is an old man phrase referring to any way of moving heavy goods. According to AC Silver, a company based in the United Kingdom that specializes in ancient silver jewelry, the term “charger” originates from the Latin word “carricane,” which means “to load.” The “charger plate” was a vast, circular platter used in medieval England to transport food during each dining course to the guests’ table.

As dining practices evolved in the UK and around the world, chargers evolved into a more sophisticated and elegant manner of arranging and serving meals. From focusing on laying a whole pig on a chargeour in the center of the dining table for everyone to reach to more polished plated service, charger plates entered a whole new world—depending on the eras and times it followed.

The Purpose of Restaurant Charger Plates

In addition to bestowing an aura of refinement over the food placed on the dining table, charger plates fulfill various purposes. For instance, these plates can be used to serve a bowl of soup or any other appetizer on an underplate. By doing so, the charger is safe from slurps and spills, and there is no need to clean it after service has been completed since there won’t be any contact with the soup.

In addition to minimizing spills and stubborn stains on the tablecloth, various metal charger plates provide the additional benefit of retaining heat in smallwares and dinnerware while shielding the dining table from the damaging effects of heat. The meals on the table are kept safe, as the rim of the charger plate lets the dinner guests flip the main plate, even if it’s still hot.