When did eating with forks begin?

The use of forks for eating began in the 11th century in the Byzantine Empire, but they did not become common in Western Europe until the 16th century. Initially, forks were used mainly for serving food rather than for eating. By the 17th century, they became more widely adopted in countries like Italy, France, and England, eventually becoming standard utensils for dining. Their popularity grew as dining customs evolved and table manners became more refined.