Charger plates or service plates are large plates used at full course dinners or to dress up special events like parties and weddings. Charger plates have been in use since the 19th century.Click to see full answer. Likewise, people ask, what is the decorative plate under the dinner plate called?Whether the charger plate is called the “chop plate,” the “under plate” or “service plate,” it always has the same purpose. The charger plate rests under another food-safe dish, whether it’s a soup bowl or salad plate.Likewise, why are decorative plates called Chargers? Also known as a chop plate, service plate or underplate, a charger plate gets its ‘decorative’ label because it never directly touches any food; instead it functions as an aesthetic resting place onto which food-bearing dishes and bowls are placed. Similarly, you may ask, what are plates called? A plate is typically composed of: The well, the bottom of the plate, where food is placed. The lip, the flattish raised outer part of the plate (sometimes wrongly called the rim).What is a service plate?A service plate is a large plate that is used for multi course meals. Varying in size they are approximately 14 inches across. Food is never served or eaten directly from the service plate, which acts as a base plate for appetizers, salad, and soup.