Take one piece, place it onto the bread plate and pass the basket counterclockwise. When served a solid loaf of bread, use the bread knife to cut one piece. The bread knife is a long knife with a serrated edge. At a formal dinner, butter pats are placed on the bread plate using the master butter knife or butter pick. In the absence of a master butter knife, use the individual butter knife at your place setting to complete.
Restaurants usually serve butter pats in foil.
Remove the foil, using your individual butter knife, slide it onto the bread plate. Fold the foil and place it onto the edge of the bread plate. Butter picks are also used as hors d'oeuvre picks.