Why is There a Notch in a Cake Fork? – Page 4

PASTRY FORK
Length: 5 to 5½ inches, narrower with a notched left tine.

Used in informal dining for cutting pastries.

SEAFOOD FORK
Length: 4½ to 5½ inches, small, three-pronged fork.

Used for spearing seafood in both formal and informal dining.

STRAWBERRY FORK
Made with three long narrow tines.

Used for piercing strawberries and dipping in condiments.

Used in formal dining for eating prepared snails.

OYSTER FORK
A small utensil with three short, wide curved tines.

Used in informal dining for extracting oyster meat.