Providing a Grazing Table at Your Wedding

Charcuterie boards are hotter than ever! Here are some pros to having one and how to create an appetizing, attractive display.

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What is it?

Coming from the French, charcuterie doesn’t directly translate to English but refers to the preparation of meat, primarily pork. The combination of bacon, ham, sausage, salami, etc., with cheese, fruit, crackers, and warm breads makes up these grazing displays.

Why have one?

Adding a charcuterie board or display to your reception is an easy way to create a scrumptious spread that adds a touch of culinary sophistication to any wedding. The combinations to choose from are unlimited, so you can create the spread of your dreams that will have your guests swooning. Charcuterie displays can also be customized to fit your theme. For example, if you are having a rustic wedding, instead of purchasing a board for the display, use wood cookies and rough cut tables covered with a burlap cloth to match the rustic mood.

Simple Steps for Curating a Delicious Display

Selecting the cheese.

Did you know most cheese falls under four basic categories: aged, soft, firm, or blue? You can also categorize them by the type of milk used: cow, goat, sheep, or vegan. There are thousands of varieties that can be subcategorized, making the options limitless for your display. You want to keep a variety, try one or two from each basic category, to get the most “crowd-pleasing” range for guests. Too many to choose from? Talk to your caterer and ask what they recommend. They’ve been around the block a few times and might have a better idea on what the guests go for! Pro tip: Generally one major rule to follow when selecting cheese is to pick at least one familiar cheese for the picky eaters and children.

Picking out the Charcuterie.

Mix up the textures of your meats and stick to ones you and your guests love. Having a variety of meats also adds color contrast to your display and makes the arrangement pop. A few good options include hard meats like thinly sliced salami or soft, rich pâté (a mixture of ground meat and fat minced into a spreadable paste; you can also get variations that include a variety of vegetables, herbs, spices, wine/brandy, and more). Thinly sliced ham and roast beef are also big hits.

Adding variety and getting creative.

Make your spread unique by adding some sweet and salty compliments. Offer a selection of breads from crackers to baguettes and a variety of nuts and fruits. Adding grapes or tomatoes is a good way to add some color to the display.

Calculating Quantity.

Another thing to think of when creating your display is quantity. If the charcuterie is only for cocktail hour, plan on purchasing three to four ounces of cheese per guest. That means if you have 125 guests you would need more than 20 pounds of cheese! On the other hand, if the display is a “main dish” for the evening, a general rule of thumb is to buy about a pound and a half for every four guests. With that being said, if you had 125 guests you would almost double the amount of cheese at an astounding 46 pounds.

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Published on Black Hills Bride.