A charger plate, also known as a service plate or underplate, is a large decorative plate that acts as a base for other dinnerware. It is used in formal settings such as weddings, banquets, or fine dining restaurants to elevate the ambiance and dining experience of guests. Charger plates are not intended to be used as dinner plates and should not come into contact with food. Instead, they are placed under the plates used to serve each meal and remain on the table until all guests are finished eating their main entree, then removed before dessert is served. Charger plates serve both aesthetic and practical purposes. Visually, they provide elegance and enhance table decor. Practically, they protect the table and tablecloth from becoming dirty during service and help retain heat in dinnerware. Fine dining establishments use charger plates to serve full-course meals by presenting each course in a separate bowl or plate atop the charger. Chargers are components of place settings at upscale restaurants and events. They are usually larger than most common dinner plates and come in a variety of materials, including traditional china, metal, wood, glass, plastic, and pearl. They may be decorated with substances that can be toxic if ingested. Charger plate etiquette and use vary. Some professional catering companies remove the decorative charger plate as soon as the guests are seated. In other instances, when the design of charger plates complements the design of dining plates, charger plates are left on the table throughout the course of the meal. Charger plates are always removed before serving desserts.