Like crockery, a distinction is made between the types of cutlery used for preparing, serving, and eating food. Kitchen knives, for example, are generally very sharp and are used for chopping and chopping food in preparation for cooking or adding as an ingredient to a dish. Serving forks and spoons are typically large pieces that can be used to serve food to individual diners from communal serving plates and bowls. In many countries, each diner has its own set of cutlery, which usually consists of a knife, fork and spoon, all designed to assist in eating their meal.

Like crockery, a distinction is made between the types of cutlery used for preparing, serving, and eating food. Kitchen knives, for example, are generally very sharp and are used for chopping and chopping food in preparation for cooking or adding as an ingredient to a dish. Serving forks and spoons are typically large pieces that can be used to serve food to individual diners from communal serving plates and bowls. In many countries, each diner has its own set of cutlery, which usually consists of a knife, fork and spoon, all designed to assist in eating their meal.

Both crockery and cutlery are considered household necessities in many countries, especially in the United States and other countries where it is common to eat food from separate plates and bowls and to use utensils when doing so. Many homes will have separate sets of crockery and dining cutlery for formal and informal meals, with cheap and simple designs being used for everyday dinners, while reserving more expensive and elaborate items for special occasions. In some families, crockery and cutlery sets become family heirlooms, passed down through generations.