The Fence - Your Secret Weapon for
Those Last Few Bites

Picture this: you're eating American style (the classic zig-zag method), and you're down to those last one or two bites — maybe a stray pea, a few grains of rice, or a bit of corn that just won't cooperate with your fork.

Fingers? Tempting, but let's find a better way.

Enter: the fence. It's a simple little move that solves this exact problem, and once you learn it, you'll wonder how you ever ate without it.

What Exactly Is "The Fence"?

The fence is a handy technique for corralling those hard-to-catch bites and getting them safely from plate to mouth — no fingers required. It's especially useful for American-style diners, since Continental style has its own built-in solution (more on that below).

How to Build Your Fence

Start by placing your knife in your left hand. (Lefties, don't worry — this flips easily for you too. You'll pick up the knife with your right hand to build the fence, then use your left hand, tines facing up, to push food against it.)

Next, position the knife on your plate, blade facing down, about an inch up from the bottom edge of the plate, running parallel to the table's edge. This spot matters — it's both your starting and ending position, and the key is that the knife stays put once it's there.

Now, with your fork in your right hand, gently push those last stubborn bits — rice, corn, peas, whatever's proving tricky — right up against the fence you've created with your knife. Just like that, you've got a perfectly loaded bite ready to enjoy.

Keep your knife in that fence position for as long as you need to gather up the rest of your food. Once you're done, simply return your knife to its resting position at the top of your plate, and you're all set. (Curious about the full method behind this? Take a look at American style dining for more.)

One thing worth remembering: the fence is meant to be a quick, temporary assist — not a permanent fixture on your plate.

A Nice Perk of Continental Style

If you happen to be eating Continental style, you actually get to skip the fence altogether. As you load food onto the back of your fork's tines, your knife naturally does double duty as your pusher and helper — no fence necessary. It's one of the small, elegant perks of that style.

Why Everyone Loves the Fence

In my dining classes, the fence consistently comes up as a favorite takeaway. There's something deeply satisfying about mastering a technique that lets you enjoy every last bite of a delicious meal — no compromises on your table manners required.

So next time you're eating American style and find yourself chasing that last bite around your plate, you'll know exactly what to do. Build your fence, gather up the goodness, and savor every last morsel.

Bon appétit!