There’s something special about a perfectly cooked spit roast chicken. Its delicious aroma and juicy flavour make it a favourite across Australia, appearing at everything from relaxed backyard barbies to more formal celebrations. Its convenience is a big plus. Yet, this popular dish sometimes causes a bit of a puzzle: what’s the proper way to eat it, especially with bones involved? Should you pick it up, or stick to knife and fork?
Understanding the right approach isn’t about strict rules set in stone. It’s more about knowing the type of event you’re attending and showing consideration for your host and fellow diners. Getting it right means everyone can relax and enjoy the fantastic food. As providers of premium spit roast catering, we know that helping guests feel comfortable is part of a great meal experience. This guide will help you handle spit roast chicken appropriately, whatever the occasion.
When Utensils Are the Go: Formal & Business Settings
Certain occasions call for a more polished approach to dining. Using a knife and fork for spit roast chicken is expected at these events.
- Formal Dinners: Think weddings, galas, award nights, official banquets, or corporate catering Sydney. At these functions, formal dining protocol is standard for all courses. Using your hands for chicken is not suitable here. The atmosphere centres on elegance and established customs.
- Business Lunches/Dinners: When dining with colleagues, clients, or potential employers, professionalism is key. Using cutlery ensures neatness and avoids potential mess or distraction from the purpose of the meal. A clean and controlled dining style reflects well in a professional context.
Using Your Cutlery (Aussie Style): Australia follows the Continental method for cutlery at corporate catering near me. Keep the fork in your left hand, tines pointing down, and the knife in your right. Secure the chicken piece with the fork and use the knife to cut bite-sized portions away from the bone. Try to cut only one or two bites at a time. Place inedible parts like bones neatly to the side of your plate using your utensils. The aim is to keep your hands clean throughout the meal.
Restaurant Dining: Reading the Room
Eating spit roast chicken in a restaurant often means using cutlery, but the specific environment matters.
- Sit-Down Restaurants: In most restaurants offering table service and standard place settings, using the provided knife and fork is the default approach. It’s the safest and most polite option if you are unsure.
- Casual Eateries: Places that specialise in foods like ribs, wings, or barbecue might have a more relaxed atmosphere where using hands is acceptable. Look at how other diners are eating or the overall vibe of the place. If doubt remains, stick with the cutlery.
Relaxed Rules: Home Meals & Friendly Get-Togethers
Dining in private homes or with friends often allows for more flexibility.
- Family Dinners: Etiquette here is shaped by the specific family’s habits. Cutlery might be the norm, or a hands-on approach could be standard. Sometimes a mix is used – starting with a fork, then using fingers for the bones. Observing how others eat is the best guide.
- Visiting Friends: When you’re a guest, the best strategy is to watch your host. Their actions indicate the level of formality for the meal. If they use cutlery, you should too. If they pick up their chicken, you can likely do the same.
Hands-On Fun: The Aussie BBQ & Picnics
Here’s where spit roast chicken really shines in its relaxed glory.
- Barbecues and Picnics: These outdoor, casual events are prime settings for eating chicken with your hands. The Aussie BBQ is a cornerstone of informal socialising, making finger food perfectly acceptable.
- Keep it Tidy: Being casual doesn’t mean abandoning all manners. Keep napkins nearby and use them often. Wiping fingers is better than licking them, even at a relaxed barbie. Place used bones neatly on your plate or in a designated bowl if one is provided.
Spit Roast Chicken: Hands or Utensils?
- Using Hands: This method is often seen as easier, letting you get every last bit of meat, particularly around joints. It offers a direct connection to the food. The main downside is the potential for greasy fingers.
- Using Cutlery: This approach maintains neatness in best corporate catering Sydney and follows conventional dining standards. It keeps fingers clean and presents a controlled appearance. It can feel awkward for some and might mean leaving food on the bone.
Your Catering Choice: Ensuring Guest Comfort
When planning an event or small corporate catering in Sydney with spit roast catering, think about the style of gathering. Our team understands these nuances. We can help you present our delicious spit roast chicken in a way that suits your event such as office catering in Sydney, ensuring your guests feel comfortable and can fully enjoy the meal.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy Your Spit Roast!
The question of how to eat spit roast chicken doesn’t need to be complicated. It comes down to understanding the setting and showing consideration for others. Know the difference between formal events, corporate lunch catering in Sydney, and casual get-togethers. Use cutlery when polish is needed, and feel free to use your hands when the vibe is relaxed. Always aim for neatness. When unsure, look to your host.
Most importantly, enjoy the fantastic flavour of perfectly cooked spit roast chicken. Knowing the etiquette simply removes any uncertainty, letting you focus on the good food and good company.
