Tableside cured ham carving

Tableside cured ham carving refers to the slicing of a whole piece mounted on a dedicated stand, performed with a long flexible knife by an attendant trained in this gesture. The slices, cut very thinly along the grain, are plated as they go to preserve their temperature and sheen. This ritual, drawn from the Iberian and Italian tradition, showcases the curing of the product, its marbling and the skill of the carver, often presented at the start of a meal.