So, what is the best way to serve cheese at an event? It’s easy enough to serve cubes of cheese on a cheese and cracker plate, but if you want to take it to the next level and really make it a class act, make it center stage.

How can you do that?

The answer: A charcuterie board.

What is a charcuterie board? It’s a beautiful display of a variety of finger foods, usually on a circular platter, that typically serves as an appetizer of sorts. Charcuterie boards are one of the easiest - and classiest - food displays that any event can have. They are relatively simple accessories, yet they add that touch of class that a typical salad display doesn’t quite touch.

You’d be able to spot one at any well-organized event. It’s the anchor for the social gathering - the one everyone is standing around, going back to, and sending others to. There is something for everyone on it!

First, let’s talk about the board itself. It could be as simple as using a cutting board from your kitchen pantry, or as elaborate as a custom-made wood board, created especially for this type of display. Live-edge boards are especially beautiful, as are large pieces of black or gray slate. Label your cheese with cute little flags or markers.

A classic charcuterie board will contain:

• Several types of cheeses, both hard and soft
• Cured meats
• Toasted baguette bread
• Crackers
• Olives
• Dipping sauces, like ranch dressing or mustard
• Nuts
• Mini vegetables like peppers, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots or cucumber slices
• Pickles
• Fresh fruits, like grapes, pears, apples and figs, and assorted berries
• Dried fruits
• Jams and jellies
• Honey
• Use herbs, edible flowers and pomegranates for color

However, one of the beautiful things about these boards is that they are as versatile as they are beautiful. There is no one right or wrong way to create one! For example, is the food at your event Mexican themed? Your board could look more like this:

• Chips
• Queso
• Guacamole
• Several types of salsas
• Taquitos
• Mini tacos
• Southwestern Eggrolls
• Taco meat

… and so on!

Are you serving desserts only? Perfect! Consider:

• Cheeses that pair nicely with desserts or fruits, like Brie, Goat Cheese or aged Gouda.
• Fruits, especially apples, stone fruits and berries
• Caramel
• Chocolate dipping sauces
• Various types of candy
• Cake pops
• Chocolate dipped anything!
• Pretzels
• Puppy Chow Chex Mix
• Mini Rice Krispy treats or Brownies

Or let’s take this idea to a unique specialty event. If you were hosting a Mardi-Gras themed event, your board could contain:

• French Quarter cheese ball
• Beignets
• Crawfish
• Shrimp (with grits for dip!)
• Crab cakes
• Fried okra
• Fries / Poutine
• Spicy Cajun dip
• Baguette slices

A board like this is as simple as taking the theme of your event and making the food bite sized. Add a few sauces or dips and suddenly there are endless ways to enjoy the spread on the board!

How would YOU arrange it?

Would you like to discuss how you’d like to feature and arrange a charcuterie board at your next event? Contact us to schedule a consultation for your event today.