Crafting the Ultimate Christmas Cheese Board: Tips to Create a Beautiful Cheese Board with Ease.

Ready to craft a Christmas cheese board that will have your guests talking long after the last bite? Let’s dive in and create something truly memorable.

Variety is the spice of life...think boldly and mix it up with new and exciting options

A Symphony of Cheeses

At the heart of every great cheese board is, of course, the cheese itself. For this festive version, we’ll strike a perfect balance between classic favourites and local artisanal gems, making sure there’s something for everyone.

The Classic Trio:

• Aged Cheddar: Bold and sharp, this cheese cuts through the richness of all those other holiday treats and adds a punch of flavour.

• Creamy Brie: Luxuriously soft, it spreads like a dream on crusty bread or crackers. It’s the perfect crowd-pleaser.

• Pungent Blue Cheese: A little goes a long way, but it adds depth and complexity to your board – and let’s face it, it’s one of those love-it-or-hate-it cheeses that always sparks conversation.

  
  

Local Artisanal Gems:

Don’t forget to include some local treasures! Support small producers by choosing unique Australian cheeses, like a smoky gouda, or a herb-infused chèvre. These add a touch of surprise to your board, and, let's be honest, everyone loves something new and unexpected to nibble on.

Festive Accompaniments: The Supporting Cast

A cheese board wouldn’t be complete without the right accompaniments, and this is where you can really get into the Christmas spirit. Here are a few festive additions that will elevate your board from good to great:

• Crackers and Breads: Offer a variety of textures – think crisp water crackers, seeded crispbreads, and slices of crusty baguette for that perfect crunch.

• Festive Garnishes: Dried cranberries add a pop of colour and a little tang, while sprigs of fresh rosemary not only look beautiful but infuse the air with their lovely scent.

• Seasonal Fruits: Beyond the usual grapes, add slices of crisp pear, fresh cherries, juicy pomegranate arils, or dried figs for a festive twist.

• Salty goodness: Olives always add flare to the board. If possible opt for pitted olives to ensure guests aren't concerned what to do with the olive pits.

• Saucy options: Offer a few different flavoured dips (not all spicy though as not everyone wants spice) Another great option is fruit chutney's (amazing with cheese) and extra virgin olive oils to dip crusty bread into. Yum!

• Nuts and Dried Fruits: Try pecans, dried apricots, and walnuts to bring that perfect balance of sweet and salty, with wonderful texture.

• Meats: Some people love to add some high quality meats like prosciutto, salami or chorizo.

The ultimate board to wow guests

Presentation: Rustic Wooden Charm

Now, let’s talk presentation. A rustic wooden board serves as the perfect backdrop for your Christmas cheese spread. It adds warmth and character, making everything look that much more inviting.

Pro tip: Before you start arranging, take your cheeses out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving. This allows them to come to room temperature, bringing out their full flavour and creamy textures.

Serving Suggestions: Elevating the Experience

Great food deserves great drinks, so why not pair your cheese board with a few well-chosen wines?

• Cheddar loves a bold red, like a Cabernet Sauvignon, which will complement its sharpness.

• Brie pairs wonderfully with a crisp Chardonnay or even a glass of sparkling wine for that extra celebratory touch.

• Blue cheese? Go for a sweet dessert wine like Port to balance out its intense flavour.

Building Your Cheese Masterpiece

Ready to arrange your board? Start by placing the cheeses in a way that allows each one to shine. A circular or semi-circular layout tends to work best. Hard cheeses like cheddar can be placed at opposite ends of the board, with softer cheeses like brie nestled in the middle.

Fill the gaps with seasonal fruits, nuts, olives, meats, crackers, and festive garnishes – it’s all about creating balance and keeping things visually appealing.

Tuck in small bowls of honey, chutney, dips, oils to enhance flavours, and scatter a few sprigs of rosemary around for that perfect finishing touch. And don’t be afraid to get a little creative with your presentation – after all, this is your holiday masterpiece.

A Sweet Ending: Dessert on the Side

If you really want to impress, add a few sweet treats to round off your cheese board. Think dark chocolate, honeycomb, or even gingerbread cookies – these little indulgences not only complement the richness of the cheeses but also add a lovely festive touch.

The possibilities are endless...

Let the Festivities Begin

There’s something incredibly special about sharing a beautifully crafted cheese board. It’s not just about the food – it’s about creating a sense of occasion, bringing people together, and celebrating the joys of the season.

As you gather around the table with friends and family, let the food be the conversation starter, the icebreaker, and the ultimate reason to sit back and enjoy each other’s company.

Have fun being creative with your cheese board. Remember to be bold and fearless. And most of all have fun creating your unique masterpiece!