Monica Iotti: La Signora è Servita

At the Table, Every Detail Speaks

By MONICA IOTTI

June 2025

There is a moment—just before the first course is served—when time seems to suspend itself in golden light. The door to the dining room opens, and the hostess utters those quietly commanding words: "La signora è servita." Guests follow her to their seats, the host trailing last in a procession that feels both ancient and achingly elegant. To modern ears, such ritual may seem antiquated, but to me, it is the very essence of refinement—a ballet of courtesy that transforms a meal into a theatrum mundi, where every detail whispers intention.

This is the philosophy behind TAHBLE, my brand born from the marriage of Italian craftsmanship and the sacred art of table etiquette. For at the heart of both lies a shared creed: beauty is not accidental, but deliberate, and at the table, every detail speaks. Italian craftsmanship at the table. What does it represent, aside from centuries of tradition? First,  knowledge passed down through generations. Second, a profound connection to local territories. Each region of Italy boasts its unique excellence: the glass of Murano, the majolica of Vietri, the ceramics of Deruta, Sardinian textiles, and Florentine leather work.

These artisanal creations are renowned worldwide for their exceptional quality, meticulous attention to detail, and unparalleled uniqueness. I firmly believe that Italian craftsmanship is a pillar of the globally admired "Made in Italy" label, symbolizing excellence, style, and beauty...and Thirdly, the marriage of timeless quality and table etiquette.

As a passionate advocate for proper dining etiquette, I must address the behaviours that should be avoided at all costs when seated at the table. True elegance is as much about what we don't do as what we do. The most egregious errors include eating with your mouth open, resting your arm on the table, or slouching in your chair. Never put a knife in your mouth or use toothpicks at the table—if you have dental issues to resolve, excuse yourself to the restroom. Holding cutlery as if they were gardening tools, blowing on hot soup, or drinking everything in one gulp (sip slowly instead) are all serious breaches of etiquette.

Other violations include passing a plate in front of another guest's face, eating spaghetti with both fork and spoon, consuming mussels directly from the shell with your mouth, or tapping your knife on your glass to call for attention. Each of these behaviours reveals a lack of refinement that diminishes the dining experience for everyone present. These rules aren't mere formalities—they reflect a deeper philosophy of respect and consideration that aligns perfectly with the care and attention evident in Italian artisanal craftsmanship.

Though seemingly worlds apart, etiquette and craftsmanship share profound connections through their mutual appreciation for beauty, respect, and care. Both traditions value attention to detail—etiquette teaching elegance in manners and gestures, craftsmanship reflecting that same elegance in objects, forms, and materials. Both honour tradition, with etiquette rooted in time-honoured rules and craftsmanship preserving the legacy of ancient masters. In Italy, the art of hospitality often finds expression through artisanal creations: a table adorned with local ceramics, hand-embroidered tablecloths, carefully forged cutlery, and refined decorated glassware—all elements that convey good taste and respect for guests, fundamental principles of etiquette.

Both etiquette and craftsmanship promote a lifestyle built on awareness, sobriety, and beauty—one in behaviour, the other in everyday objects. They seek harmony, with etiquette fostering harmony in human relationships and craftsmanship in the aesthetics of objects, contributing to a more humane, balanced, and sensitive way of living. TAHBLE embraces this cultural synergy, incorporating hand-embroidered linen or cotton tablecloths and napkins into its offerings. According to proper etiquette, table linens must always be impeccable, clean, and well-pressed. Italian textile craftsmanship, such as that from Puglia or Tuscany, provides exquisite examples of tablecloths and embroidery that add elegance and warmth to the dining experience.

Artisanal ceramics—whether Tuscan plates, creations from Vietri sul Mare, Faenza, or Veneto—all handmade and hand-decorated, respect the rules of etiquette: coherence, sobriety, and aesthetic beauty in table setting. Each piece tells a story and makes even the simplest meal special. Regarding cutlery and glassware, etiquette prescribes a precise order for their use, as well as attention to their quality. Murano glass artisanship, for example, offers unique and precious mouth-blown goblets perfect for an elegant table. Centrepieces and decorations are fundamental for a stylish table setting; etiquette greatly appreciates refined decorations, such as a ceramic or wrought iron centrepiece with fresh flowers or candles, immediately creating an elegant atmosphere that combines beauty and respect for those at the table.

Through this lens, etiquette becomes not just form but content, and craftsmanship gives body and soul to these rules, making every convivial moment an authentic cultural experience and Italian craftsmanship is not merely a memory of the past but a living, strategic resource increasingly central to our past, present, and future.