Switzerland: Prosperous Entertaining - Part 2
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Cuisine, wine, and toasts
The Swiss will often have a pre-dinner aperitif of wine, vermouth, or Campari; cocktails and other mixed drinks are not common. During the meal, you will be offered red or white wine [Swiss wine can be of good quality but it is little known outside Switzerland because it is comparatively expensive and so almost always drunk locally] or beer. Coffee will be served at the conclusion of the meal with a choice of after-dinner drinks including grappa [particularly in the south] and various eaux-de-vie made with a herb or fruit flavouring such as cherry [Kirschwasser], plum [Pflaumwasser] or raspberry [framboise].
The toast in German-speaking Switzerland is prost; in French-speaking Switzerland, it is votre santé or simply santé; in Italian-speaking Switzerland, salute. After your host has proposed a toast, look directly at him or her and respond, preferably in the local language. Then, clink glasses with everyone at the table, or at least those within your reach. Only then may you take your first sip.
Sometimes food will be presented on a series of platters, from which you can serve yourself. When this occurs, ensure that you take a small portion from each platter, since overlooking or refusing certain dishes can be perceived as an insult by both the host and the cook. You may also be encouraged to take second helpings, but remember that you will be expected to finish everything on your plate. Otherwise, you again risk offending the sensibilities of your host and/or cook.
At home, dinner is often a light meal of soup, salad, cold meats, cheeses, eggs and bread, or perhaps a fondue. The meal served at a formal dinner party, however, is quite different, and becomes the main meal of the day.
Depending on the region of Switzerland you are visiting, you will be served primarily French, German or Italian cuisine, but there are some authentically Swiss specialities. Cheese dishes such as fondue and raclette are universally popular. Fondue consists of cubed bread on skewers, dipped into a bubbling pot of melted cheese [usually Gruyère or Emmental] mixed with wine and/or kirsch. In raclette a block of cheese is melted on a special grill at the table; the cheese is then scraped off and eaten with potatoes and vegetables or sliced meats. Rösti is probably the most famous Swiss dish [shredded, fried potatoes, similar to hash browns]. A wide range of Wurst [sausage] is available in German-speaking Switzerland and veal is popular throughout the country. Swiss chocolate is excellent on its own but is often an ingredient in rich cakes and puddings.
During meals, you should keep your wrists on the table. It is considered bad manners to put your hands on your lap or your elbows on the table.
When you have finished eating, you should place the knife and fork parallel to each other at an angle across the right side of the plate. Crossing the fork and knife on your plate is a sign you have not yet finished your meal.
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