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When it comes to sterling silver flatware, there are some people who just can't settle for anything but the best. You might be happy to eat off your beaten up knives and forks fished from the bargain bin at IKEA, but the customers at a five star restaurant or hotel won't accept it.

The high class service industry relies on reputation - nobody is going pay to pay a fortune to eat at Claridge's if they're not guaranteed to receive the best possible service and the best available facilities.

For those who work in the service industry, quality is very important. This is why so many five star restaurants and hotels choose to get their flatware designed and handmade from scratch. Visit MP Levene for more information and advice on manufacturing your own sterling silver flatware sets. They rely on the skills of just a handful of expert artisans - there aren't many companies that specialise in handmade silver anymore, say experts at the Guardian. Here's a guide to how their sterling silver flatware is made.

Step One: The very best sterling silver flatware is made from a careful balance of pure silver and alloy. The most expensive flatware consists of almost one hundred percent silver, with just a splash of silver alloy for strength and durability.

Step Two: The first step in the manufacturing process is called blanking. The craftsman cuts or 'blanks' a piece of silver that is wide enough and long enough to fit the specifications of his new project. The more intricate the pattern or design, the bigger the piece of silver must be, says EHow.com expert Peter Mitchell.

Step Three: Now, it's time for a fairly complex phase called rolling. The piece of silver has to be stretched so that it can be shaped into whatever utensil it will later turn out to be. For a silver spoon, a breakdown cross roll is used to stretch the silver width wise until it reaches the right bowl size. A breakdown grade roll stretches the entire piece of silver by fifty percent. A finished grade roll stretches the silver by one hundred percent, say the experts at LifetimeSterling.com.

Step Four: After the silver has been stretched, it must go through a cut out process. This process is designed to remove as much excess material as possible. Soon, it will be ready for the striking stage.

Step Five: The striking stage is probably the most familiar part of the manufacturing process. It is this that we see in films and on television programmes - the artisan hitting and shaping a piece of metal with a very hot and heavy hammer. If you've ever seen a period drama where a smith makes a sword, you'll know what the striking process looks like.

Step Six: Now that the pattern has been created and the flatware pieces are in their final shapes, the craftsman turns his attention to tidying up each silver piece. He very carefully trims excess silver from the pieces, occasionally filing to remove rough edges and smooth the silver.

Step Seven: In some cases, the artisan will use a machine to polish the edges of each piece even further. Once he has completed this stage, the pieces of sterling silver flatware are ready to be sold. They are of a better quality than factory made silver could ever be.

Author Bio: James Mercer has been the head chef at a four star London hotel for seven years. He recommends MP Levene for the finest quality handmade sterling silver flatware. James can usually be found shouting orders across a busy kitchen, or relaxing with a drink after a hard shift.