Patrick Oconnell
Whether you're hosting a party or a dinner, serving cheese is a great way to elevate your event. There are many ways to incorporate cheese into your party, from a cheese and wine party to a cheese platter as an appetiser or after-dinner treat. Regardless of how you choose to serve cheese, it's important to take the cheese out of the fridge at least an hour before serving to ensure it's at room temperature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of cheeses | 3-6 types, depending on whether cheese is the centerpiece of the party |
| Amount of cheese per person | 1-1.5 oz. per person for after-dinner cheese; 2-3 oz. per person for an appetizer; 4-5 oz. per person for dinner |
| Temperature | Room temperature |
| Timing | Before, during, or after dinner; before dinner with cocktails; after dinner with sweet accompaniments |
| Accompaniments | Savory accompaniments for before-dinner cheese (e.g. olives, prosciutto, nuts, chutney); sweet accompaniments for after-dinner cheese (e.g. jams, honey, dried fruit, toasted nuts) |
| Presentation | Use a different knife for each cheese; serve with plain bread or crackers; pre-cut slices or large wedges for guests to cut themselves depending on the occasion |
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What You'll Learn
Cheese should be served at room temperature
When planning a party, it's important to consider the role you want cheese to play. Will it be an appetizer, a palate cleanser before dessert, or the main event? Regardless, the golden rule is that cheese should be served at room temperature.
Cheese is a living, perishable ingredient with microbes that give each cheese its unique characteristics and flavour. These microbes go through a life cycle, and each piece of cheese will go through a journey of condition. To ensure your guests get maximum flavour, take the cheese out of the fridge at least 30 minutes to one hour before serving. This timing will depend on your kitchen temperature—if it's particularly warm, keep the cheese in the fridge until an hour before serving.
If you're serving cheese as an appetizer, plan for 2-3 ounces of cheese per person. If you're offering a lot of accompaniments, like charcuterie, crackers, and fruit, your guests will likely eat less cheese. If you're serving cheese as a main course, plan for 4-5 ounces per person, with plenty of fruits and vegetables. If you're unsure how much cheese to buy, it's always better to have too much than too little. You can always take the rest out later or save it for another time!
When it comes to presentation, avoid overcrowding your cheese platter. Offer a different knife for each cheese, as using the same knife will cause the flavours to mix. Serve crackers and bread separately and just before serving to maintain their crispy texture. Choose plain crackers or sourdough or French bread, as flavoured options can overwhelm the flavour of the cheese. An exception is breads containing walnuts, dried fruit, or olives, which pair well with cheese.
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Plan for 2-3 oz. of cheese per person as an appetiser
If you're planning to serve cheese as an appetiser, it's a good idea to plan for 2-3 ounces of cheese per person. This amount may vary depending on the accompaniments you choose to serve alongside the cheese. If you plan to serve charcuterie, crackers, and fruit, your guests will likely eat less cheese, so you can plan for them to consume closer to 2 ounces each. On the other hand, if you plan to offer fewer accompaniments, your guests may eat more cheese, so you should plan for closer to 3 ounces per person.
It's important to consider the preferences of your guests when planning the amount of cheese to serve. If you know your guests are not big cheese eaters, you may not need as much. However, if you're hosting a group of self-proclaimed cheese enthusiasts, it's a good idea to stock up! It's always better to have a little extra cheese left over than to run out too soon. If you're worried about having too much, you can cut the cheeses in half and only put out one half at a time, bringing out the rest later if needed.
When creating a cheese platter, it's essential to avoid overcrowding. Leave enough space between the cheeses to cut and serve them easily. It's also a good idea to offer a different knife for each cheese to prevent the flavours from mixing. You can serve the cheese on a single platter or individual plates, depending on the occasion and the number of guests. Individual plates work well for smaller gatherings, allowing you to prepare the cheese course ahead of time.
To ensure the best flavour and texture, serve the cheese at room temperature. Take the cheese out of the refrigerator at least one hour before serving. If your kitchen is particularly warm, you may need to wait until an hour before serving to remove the cheese from the fridge. You can also serve the crackers and bread separately, adding them to the plate just before serving to maintain their crispness.
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Use a different knife for each cheese
When serving cheese at a party, it is important to consider the amount of cheese and accompaniments, the timing of the cheese course, and the presentation of the cheese platter. Here are some tips to ensure a successful cheese course:
Using a separate knife for each cheese is important for two reasons. Firstly, it prevents the flavours of the different cheeses from mixing. By using a different knife for each variety, you avoid transferring the taste of one cheese to another, thus preserving the unique flavour of each cheese. Secondly, using multiple knives helps to avoid overcrowding the cheese platter. With a dedicated knife for each cheese, your guests will have more space to manoeuvre and select their desired cheese without accidentally touching another cheese with their knuckles.
When selecting knives for your cheese platter, consider the type and texture of the cheese. For softer cheeses, a thin-bladed knife with holes or a spreader might be more suitable, while harder cheeses may require a sturdier knife with a thicker blade. You can also provide small spoons for very soft cheeses that are challenging to cut. Additionally, ensure that the knives are easily accessible and placed in close proximity to their respective cheeses to facilitate smooth and efficient serving.
It is worth noting that the number of knives required will depend on the number of cheeses you plan to serve. As a general rule, it is recommended to offer at least three to five different cheeses to provide a diverse selection for your guests. However, if you are serving a large group, you may need to increase the quantity of each cheese and, consequently, the number of knives.
In conclusion, using a different knife for each cheese is a simple yet effective way to enhance your guests' cheese-tasting experience. By preventing flavour transfer and creating a spacious layout, your guests can truly appreciate the distinct characteristics of each cheese on your carefully curated platter.
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Cheese can be served before, during or after a meal
Cheese can be served at any time during a party, whether as an appetiser, a palate cleanser, or dessert. It can also be served as the main event, with a wine-and-cheese party being a sophisticated way to entertain guests.
If serving cheese as an appetiser, plan to have 2-3 oz. of cheese per person. If serving a lot of accompaniments, like charcuterie, crackers, and fruit, your guests will likely eat less cheese. If serving cheese as an appetiser before a large meal, it can serve to "lubricate the old intestinal tract for the feast".
If serving cheese as a palate cleanser, it can be a nice break between savoury and sweet. For instance, a simple pasta meal may be followed by cheese before dessert.
Cheese can also be served as dessert, either on its own or with something sweet. For instance, apple pie is often served with a nice aged cheddar. When serving cheese after dinner, plan for 4-5 oz. of cheese per person and load the plate up with fruits and vegetables. After-dinner cheeses go well with sweet accompaniments like jams, honey, dried fruit, and toasted nuts.
When serving cheese, it should be at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge at least one hour before serving.
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Pair cheese with sweet or savoury accompaniments
When serving cheese at a party, it is important to consider the type of accompaniments to offer alongside the cheese. Whether served as an appetiser or after a meal, cheese can be paired with both sweet and savoury accompaniments.
If serving cheese as an appetiser, plan to have 2-3 oz. of cheese per person. This can be accompanied by charcuterie, crackers, and fruit. If serving a lot of accompaniments, your guests may eat less cheese. If serving cheese as an appetiser before a large dinner, it can be served with cocktails. For a light summery meal, cheese can be plated with the entrée and paired with white wine.
When serving cheese after a meal, consider 1 to 1 1/2 ounces of each cheese per person. After-dinner cheeses pair well with sweet accompaniments such as jams, honey, dried fruit, and toasted nuts. Cheese served after a meal can also be accompanied by a dessert wine. For a simple pasta meal, cheese can be served before dessert as a palate cleanser.
Cheese can also be served on its own as a standalone offering at a party. In this case, toothpicks with grapes or olives can be offered in a retro style. It is recommended to serve cheese at room temperature, so take the cheese out of the fridge at least 30 minutes to one hour before serving.
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Frequently asked questions
If you're serving cheese as an appetiser, plan to have 2-3 oz. of cheese per person. If you're serving cheese as a main course, plan for 4-5 oz. of cheese per person.
Cheese should be served at room temperature, so take the cheese out of the fridge at least half an hour to one hour before serving.
If you're serving cheese before a meal, serve it with savoury accompaniments such as olives, prosciutto, nuts and/or chutney. If you're serving cheese after a meal, serve it with sweet accompaniments such as jams, honey, dried fruit and toasted nuts.
Don't crowd your cheese platter. If you're serving multiple cheeses, offer a different knife for each. Serve slices of baguette or crackers separately in a basket or bowl. Choose plain bread or neutral crackers so as not to overwhelm the flavour of the cheese.
