Cheese Platters: Wedding Reception Appetizers For Guests

A cheese platter is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding. It can be served as an appetizer during cocktail hour or even as an edible centerpiece at the reception. When creating a cheese platter, it is important to offer a variety of options to appeal to different tastes. This includes a range of cheeses, such as goat's, sheep's and cow's milk, as well as aged and fresh varieties. It is also a good idea to provide a mix of hard, soft and semi-firm cheeses. To add some colour and texture to the platter, include dried and fresh fruits, nuts, crackers, baguettes, jams, spreads and chutneys. If you want to get creative, you can even make individual charcuterie plates for each guest or have a large grazing table for everyone to enjoy.

Choose a mix of soft and hard cheeses, with different milk types and textures

When creating a cheese platter, it's important to offer a variety of cheeses to cater to different tastes and ensure your guests have a delightful experience. Here are some tips to help you choose a mix of soft and hard cheeses with different milk types and textures:

• Goat's Milk, Sheep's Milk, and Cow's Milk Cheeses: Offer a variety of milk types to add interest and cater to different dietary preferences or restrictions. Goat's milk cheese, such as chèvre, is full-flavored and pairs well with fruits like apples, pears, apricots, and berries. Sheep's milk cheeses, like Manchego, have a rich and nutty taste. Cow's milk offers a wide range of options, from familiar flavors like sharp cheddar to more exciting options such as extra-tangy goat cheese or ash-ripened cheese.
• Soft and Hard Cheeses: Include a mix of soft and hard cheeses to provide a range of textures. Soft cheeses, such as brie, camembert, or goat cheese, are spreadable and easy to cut. Hard cheeses, such as cheddar or parmesan, can be sliced, cubed, or crumbled. Semi-hard or semi-soft cheeses like smoked gouda, fontina, or Swiss provide a middle ground and add further variety.
• Aged and Fresh Cheeses: Mix things up by offering both aged and fresh cheeses. Aged cheeses, such as cheddar or gouda, have more complex flavors and a firmer texture. Fresh cheeses, like mozzarella or burrata, are milder in taste and often softer in texture.
• Texture Variety: Play with textures to create interest and appeal to different tastes. This can include crumbly cheeses like feta or blue cheese, stretchy cheeses like mozzarella, or creamy cheeses like brie.
• Odd Numbers: Opt for an odd number of cheese varieties, as they tend to be more visually appealing. Three different cheeses are usually enough to provide a good mix of options.
• Mix Familiar and Exciting Flavors: Choose one familiar flavor, such as sharp cheddar, and one more exciting flavor, like an ash-ripened cheese or a tangy goat cheese. This way, you cater to different palates and provide a range of options for your guests to explore.
• Ask for Help: Don't hesitate to ask for assistance at the cheese counter. The experts there can guide you in selecting cheeses with different milk types and textures, ensuring you have a well-rounded selection for your platter.

Include fruits and vegetables like apples, grapes, berries, and nuts

When creating a cheese platter, it's important to include a variety of textures and flavours to appeal to all your guests' tastes. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, crackers, and dips are all great additions to a cheese platter and can be used to fill any gaps on the board.

When it comes to fruits, apples, grapes, berries, and nuts are excellent choices. Here are some tips and ideas on how to include them in your wedding cheese platter:

• Apples: Thinly sliced apples such as Envy, Pink Lady, Opal, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Fuji, or Gala apples pair well with almost any cheese, especially when paired with a dollop of fig jam or a drizzle of honey. Apples can hold their own against stronger cheese flavours like Gruyere, sharp cheddar, or crumbly cheeses.
• Grapes: Juicy, crunchy grapes are a classic choice for cheese boards. You can use red or green grapes and cut them into small clusters to make them easy for guests to pick up. Grapes pair exceptionally well with Gouda.
• Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries go well with cheese, especially feta. They also taste delicious with brie.
• Nuts: Roasted and salted nuts like cashews, almonds, macadamia nuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts, and other mixed nuts add texture and flavour to the platter.

When arranging your cheese platter, start by placing the larger items first, such as bowls of olives, small jars of jam, or a ramekin of honey. Then, position the cheeses in different corners of the board, ensuring they are separated to prevent flavours from mixing. Add your chosen fruits and nuts around the cheeses, filling any gaps and creating a visually appealing display.

Add charcuterie, such as salami, prosciutto, or summer sausage

Charcuterie is a great addition to a cheese platter and offers a nice contrast to the cheeses. When adding charcuterie, such as salami, prosciutto, or summer sausage, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, consider the amount you will need. For a wedding, it is recommended to have about 2 ounces of meat per person. If creating a cheese platter for a large group, it is better to overestimate and have too much than not enough. It is also a good idea to offer a variety of charcuterie options to appeal to different tastes. In addition to salami, prosciutto, and summer sausage, other options include bresaola, turkey, and deli ham.

When preparing the platter, there are a few different ways to arrange the charcuterie. You can simply stack the meats, fan them out in a line or half-circle, or fold larger pieces into fun shapes. Folding the charcuterie can help it take up less space on the platter. For example, you can fold large, thin, circular pieces in half and then in half again to make a triangle. You can also roll them into a small cone. For thinner meats like prosciutto, hold the piece vertically above the platter and gently lower it down, twisting your hand slightly as you go. If using sausage, cut it on a bias and fan out the pieces in a row.

In terms of presentation, it is important to consider texture and height. Adding different textures and levels will make your platter visually appealing. You can create height by stacking cheeses or piling meats, such as folding salami into a "salami river" down the centre of the platter. You can also add height by using a combination of whole and sliced or cubed cheeses. For harder cheeses like parmesan, break them up into smaller pieces to add a rustic look.

Finally, consider adding some garnishes to tie everything together. Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage can add an elevated look to your platter. You can also add seasonal touches, such as figs, persimmons, or almonds for the holidays, or fresh vases of wildflowers for a summer wedding.

Provide a variety of crackers, bread, and breadsticks

When making a cheese platter for a wedding, it's important to offer a variety of crackers, bread, and breadsticks to cater to different tastes and preferences. Here are some tips to help you create a delightful spread:

• Offer a Variety of Options: Provide an assortment of crackers, bread, and breadsticks with different shapes, textures, and flavors. Include buttery crackers, whole wheat crackers, charréd breadsticks, and a variety of bread such as toasted baguette slices and crostini. This will add visual interest and appeal to a wide range of guests.
• Consider Portion Sizes: Plan to have 2-3 ounces of crackers, bread, and breadsticks per person. If you're serving a lot of cheese and other accompaniments, people might eat less of these items. Adjust the portions accordingly.
• Arrange and Present Attractively: Place the crackers, bread, and breadsticks in separate piles or containers on the platter. Fan out crackers and breadsticks along the edges of the platter to make them easily accessible. You can also provide a separate bowl or plate for extra crackers or bread to replenish the platter as needed.
• Complement the Cheese Selection: Choose crackers, bread, and breadsticks that complement the cheeses you've selected. For example, pair a soft cheese like brie with a crispy breadstick or a hard cheese like cheddar with a heartier cracker.
• Keep it Fresh: If possible, add the crackers, bread, and breadsticks to the platter just before serving to ensure they maintain their crispy texture. You can also provide a variety of dips, such as olive oil or flavoured butter, to enhance the flavour and freshness.
• Get Creative: Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun with your choices. You can even include some DIY elements, such as homemade crackers or breadsticks, to add a unique touch to your wedding cheese platter.

Don't forget dips and spreads like honey, jams, and mustard

When creating a cheese platter for a wedding, it's important to remember that dips and spreads are key components that will elevate your platter and create exciting and unexpected flavours and textures. The goal is to achieve flavour harmony, where the condiments complement or contrast with the cheese without overpowering it. Here are some tips and suggestions for incorporating dips and spreads like honey, jams, and mustard into your wedding cheese platter:

• Offer a Variety of Options: Provide a selection of dips and spreads such as honey, jams, and mustard to cater to different taste preferences. You can include both store-bought and homemade options.
• Balance Sweet and Savoury: Jams and honey can help balance the saltiness of cheeses, especially those with a slight acidity like Vermont Sharp. Offer sweet options like honey, raspberry jelly, apricot jam, or fig jam. For a savoury twist, try mustard, balsamic vinegar, or onion jam.
• Pairings with Specific Cheeses: Here are some specific cheese and condiment pairings to try:
• Pepper Jack cheese with raspberry jelly
• Habanero Cheddar with maple syrup
• Alpine Cheddar with balsamic vinegar
• Farmhouse Reserve Cheddar with blackberry jam
• Seriously Sharp Cheddar with Dijon mustard
• Brie, Camembert, or Mild Swiss with sour cherry preserves
• Manchego, Gouda, or Fontina with apple and horseradish jam
• Fresh Mozzarella, Burrata, or Ricotta with chilli honey
• Blue Cheeses like Cabrales, Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton with shiro plum and mint preserves
• Presentation and Serving: Use small bowls or dishes to serve the dips and spreads. Place them strategically on the platter, ensuring they are easily accessible to your guests. You can also provide labels for each dip and spread, so guests know what they are trying.
• Experiment and Customise: Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of cheeses and dips/spreads. Customise your platter to suit your own taste preferences and those of your guests. Remember, the possibilities are endless!

Frequently asked questions