Kamil Perry
A cheese platter is a simple, impressive, and delicious dish to serve at a party, holiday, or get-together. It can be served as an appetizer or after dinner. If serving before dinner, choose lighter cheeses such as herb-coated goat cheese or fresh mozzarella. If serving after dinner, opt for one rich and creamy cheese, or a selection of full-flavored cheeses. A basic cheese plate should include at least three types of cheese to represent different milk types: cow, sheep, and goat. Aim for variety in age, texture, shape, and color, and include accompaniments such as bread, crackers, fruit, nuts, meat, and something sweet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheeses | 1-6 |
| Type of cheese | Depends on when it is served; lighter cheeses like herb-coated goat cheese or fresh mozzarella for before dinner |
| Quantity | 1-2 oz per person as a hors d'oeuvre; 1-1.5 oz per person as an after-dinner cheese course |
| Board | Large, flat board; a plain cutting board works |
| Accompaniments | Breads, crackers, nuts, honey, fruits, sausages, etc. |
| Presentation | Do not crowd the platter; use a different knife for each cheese |
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What You'll Learn
- Cheese is a conversation starter at parties, so choose wisely
- Serving size: 1-2 oz per person as a starter, 1-1.5 oz after dinner
- Prep: take cheese out of the fridge 30 mins to 1 hour before serving
- Use a large, flat board with separate knives for each cheese
- Bread: plain sourdough or baguette, or crackers, avoid strong flavours
Cheese is a conversation starter at parties, so choose wisely
First, consider the quantity of cheese. If you're serving cheese as a hors d'oeuvre, plan for 1 to 2 ounces of each cheese per person. As a guideline, three cheeses are usually sufficient, but if cheese is the centerpiece of your party, you may want to offer five or six different varieties. This way, your guests can explore different flavours without feeling overwhelmed by too many choices.
When selecting your cheeses, feel free to get creative and choose according to your preferences. If serving cheese before dinner, it's best to opt for lighter options such as herb-coated goat cheese or fresh mozzarella. Take into account the availability of cheeses in your region and feel free to experiment with different types. Remember, there are no wrong choices when it comes to cheese!
To elevate your cheese platter, pay attention to the presentation. Use a large, flat board, such as a plain cutting board, a serving platter, or even a simple dinner plate. Ensure it's big enough to comfortably fit your cheeses and accompaniments. If serving after dinner, plating the cheeses individually is a great option, allowing you to prepare the cheese course ahead of time. Provide a separate knife for each cheese to preserve their unique flavours, and serve slices of plain baguette or neutral crackers on the side. Flavoured breads like those with walnuts, dried fruit, or olives also pair exceptionally well with cheese.
Lastly, remember to take the cheese out of the fridge 30 minutes to 1 hour beforehand to let it come to room temperature before serving. By following these simple tips, your cheese platter is sure to be a winning addition to your party, fostering delightful conversations and memorable moments.
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Serving size: 1-2 oz per person as a starter, 1-1.5 oz after dinner
When serving a cheese platter, the amount of cheese you'll need depends on when you're serving it. If it's a starter, or hors d'oeuvre, plan on serving 1 to 2 ounces of cheese per person. If you're serving cheese after dinner, 1 to 1.5 ounces of cheese per person will be sufficient.
As a general rule, it's best to offer a small selection of cheeses rather than overcrowding your platter. Three cheeses are a good amount to offer your guests, but you can get away with just one really great cheese—it can even become a conversation piece. If you're serving cheese before dinner, choose lighter cheeses such as an herb-coated goat cheese or fresh mozzarella.
When it comes to a party, cheese is always a popular choice. It's a good idea to serve cheese on a large, flat board. You don't need anything fancy—a plain cutting board will do. Just make sure it's big enough to fit everything comfortably. You can also use a serving platter or spread the cheese out across several dinner plates. If you're serving cheese after dinner, you can plate the cheeses individually, giving each person their own plate. This also gives you the option to prepare the cheese course before your guests arrive.
Take the cheese out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. Serve the cheese with a different knife for each variety, to prevent the flavours from mixing. Provide slices of baguette or crackers in a separate basket or bowl. Choose plain breads, such as sourdough or French bread, or neutral crackers, to avoid overwhelming the flavours of the cheeses. An exception to this is breads containing walnuts, dried fruit or olives, which go well with cheese.
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Prep: take cheese out of the fridge 30 mins to 1 hour before serving
When it comes to serving a cheese platter, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, the quantity of cheese will depend on when you're serving it. If the cheese platter is a hors d'oeuvre, plan for 1 to 2 ounces of each cheese per person. If it's an after-dinner course, 1 to 1 1/2 ounces of each cheese per person will be sufficient.
Now, onto the preparation: take the cheese out of the fridge 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving. This is an important step as it allows the cheese to come to room temperature, which is the ideal temperature for serving. While the cheese is resting, you can assemble the rest of the platter. Start by choosing a large, flat board. A plain wooden, plastic, or any other type of cutting board will do. If you don't have a board, a large dinner plate or several smaller plates can also work. If you're serving the cheese after dinner, you can plate them individually, which has the added benefit of allowing you to prepare the cheese course before your guests arrive.
Arrange any small bowls, knives, and accompaniments on the board or plates. You can offer a different knife for each cheese to prevent the flavours from mixing. For accompaniments, consider plain breads such as sourdough or French bread, or neutral crackers. Flavoured breads with walnuts, dried fruit, or olives also pair well with cheese. You can also include crackers, fruit, sausage, or any other seasonal produce or snacks you have on hand.
Once the cheese has reached room temperature, it's time to add it to the platter. If you're serving the cheese before dinner, opt for lighter cheeses such as herb-coated goat cheese or fresh mozzarella. If you're serving multiple cheeses, aim for a variety of 3 to 6 cheeses, depending on whether the cheese is the centerpiece of your gathering.
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Use a large, flat board with separate knives for each cheese
When serving a cheese platter, it is important to use a large, flat board, such as a plain wooden, plastic, or marble cutting board, or a serving platter. This will ensure that you have enough space to fit all the cheeses and any accompaniments comfortably without crowding the platter. You can also use small bowls for dips, honey, or jam to add interest and break up the board.
Each cheese should have its own knife to prevent the flavours from mingling. Different types of cheese require different knives. For soft cheeses, a soft cheese knife, sometimes called a fork-tipped spear or pronged knife, is ideal. This type of knife has a thin blade with holes to prevent soft cheeses from sticking. A butter spreader or spreader knife can also be used for soft, spreadable cheeses.
For semi-soft cheeses, a cheese plane is used to shave thin slices. A flat cheese knife, or chisel knife, is used for aged semi-firm cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and pepper jack. This type of knife has a wide, flat, paddle-like blade and a sharp bottom edge.
For semi-hard and hard cheeses, a cheddar knife, or mini cleaver, can be used. This type of knife has a wide, rectangular blade and is made to cut through hard cheeses with force and balance. A parmesan knife is similar but has a pointed edge for breaking off chunks of hard and dry cheeses.
A cheese wire or bow knife is used for cutting delicate soft cheeses without crushing them. They are usually found in a bow shape or attached to a cheese board with an indent for the wire.
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Bread: plain sourdough or baguette, or crackers, avoid strong flavours
When serving a cheese platter, the type and amount of cheese you select depend on when you plan to serve it. If you're serving cheese before dinner, choose lighter cheeses, such as an herb-coated goat cheese or fresh mozzarella. If cheese is the centerpiece of your party, you'll need at least three, and probably five or six cheeses. If serving as a hors d'oeuvre, plan on 1 to 2 ounces of each cheese per person. If serving as an after-dinner cheese course, 1 to 1.5 ounces of each cheese per person should suffice.
Now, for the bread. Serve slices of baguette or crackers in a separate basket or bowl. Choose plain sourdough or French bread, or neutral crackers. Flavoured breads, such as those with sesame seeds or garlic, tend to overwhelm the flavours of the cheeses. Bread containing walnuts, dried fruit, or olives are the exception and pair well with cheese.
If you're serving a cheese platter, you'll want to ensure you don't crowd it. If you do, you might find it challenging to cut the cheese without touching another. Offer a different knife with each cheese, as using the same knife for all cheeses will cause their flavours to blend.
You can use a large, flat board, such as a plain or wooden cutting board, a serving platter, or even a large dinner plate. You don't need anything fancy, and you can prep your cheese plate ahead of time. Take the cheese out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese platters are great for parties, holidays, and get-togethers. They can be served as an appetizer before dinner or as a post-dinner course.
A good rule of thumb is to plan for each guest to eat 1-3 ounces of each cheese served. If serving heavy garnishes or other foods alongside the cheese, this amount may be slightly less.
A variety of breads, crackers, fruits, nuts, meats, dips, and spreads can accompany a cheese platter. Breads and crackers provide a "vehicle" for the cheese, while fruits, nuts, and meats add flavour and texture. Dips, spreads, and garnishes like honey or jam can add a sweet element to the platter.
