A favorite guilty pleasure in our office, and subject of the occasional random discussion; we all agree that our lives are all better off because of cheese and it goes without saying that so is any party.
Once again, in the spirit of helping your with your holiday preparations, we've provided below some attractive options for serving your favorite nibblies and edibles as well as some great advice from Real Simple Magazine on putting together a great cheese spread. (Not the Whiz kind of course).
Plantation Design - Alester Nesting Trays
These beautiful gold dishes dress up any table and are perfect for serving the tasty tidbits that often accompany a cheese platter (olives, roasted almonds, grapes, figs, dried fruit, etc)
Wildly Delicious Olive Wood Collection
These beautiful, rustic Olive Wood boards are a great way to display and serve your selection of cheeses. (Wildly Delicious Olive Wood boards, Preserves, Brie Bakers, and Warm Dips are available at Blossoms Living).
West Elm - Slate & Wood Cheese Boards
A slate board can help keep your cheese at an optimal temperature. We like this wood tray with slate insert from West Elm as it's a little easier on your surfaces.
The following "Cheese 101" excerpt is a web exclusive from Real Simple Magazine
Selecting the Cheese
Try to include a variety of textures and flavors. Most cheese belongs to one of four basic categories: aged, soft, firm, or blue. For a good variety, choose at least one from each group. Some examples:
Aged: Aged Cheddar, Comte, Goat Gouda
Soft: Constant Bliss, Camembert, Brillat-Savarin
Firm: Manchego, Mimolette, Parmigiano-Reggiano
Blue: Gorgonzola Dolce, Valdeon, Stilton
Plan on buying 3 lbs for 8 people, 6 lbs for 16 or 9 lbs for 24.
Accompaniments
Offer a selection of breads, including sliced baguette, bread sticks, and crackers in all different shapes and sizes.
Jarred condiments and vegetables are quick and fuss-free. Try sweet preserves or honey, tart chutneys, and spicy mustards. You can also add artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers and caponata.
Various other sweet and salty items can work as well. Try cured meats such as prosciutto and salami, or candied nuts and pistachios. Assorted seasonal and dried fruits can include figs, cherries, apples and pears.
Overwhelmed? If you feel in need of professional help (to put your party together), consider the services of The Bulk Cheese Warehouse to provide you with an amazing selection of cheese and condiments and Cava Secreta to help you with the perfect wine pairings
Enjoy!
Heather Whyte - Project Coordinator | Showroom Manager
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