The Bishop’s Hat (or Bishop’s Mitre) is a classic, elegant napkin fold used in fine dining to create a tall, stable centerpiece on a plate. For best results, use a square cloth napkin and iron it with starch beforehand to ensure the folds remain crisp.

Step-by-Step Folding Instructions

Initial Fold:

Lay the napkin face down and fold it in half so the open end faces you.

Corner Folds:

Fold the top-right corner diagonally down to the center of the bottom edge.

Fold the bottom-left corner diagonally up to the center of the top edge.

Flip and Rotate:

Flip the entire napkin over and rotate it 1/4 turn so it points to the far-left and near-right.

Create the Points:

Fold the bottom half up to meet the top edge.

Reach underneath the right side and pull out the loose flap to create two triangles pointing toward you.

Tuck and Secure:

Fold the left-hand point into the center and tuck it under the diagonal fold.

Flip the napkin over again and tuck the remaining right-hand point into the opposite fold to secure the hat’s circular shape.

Stand it Up:

Open the base with your hands and stand it upright, pushing down the material in the center to fill out the shape.