Wow them with a Charcuterie board
Charcuterie Board Tips and Tricks
“I always try to tell a story to the guest on the plate… Food is about sharing something which is inside you, giving a little bit of you.”
When we set out a spread on the table for family and guests to enjoy, it’s more than just calories to fill their hungry stomachs. There’s a reason that food is central to so many holiday traditions and nearly any gathering of people. Sharing food is one way to demonstrate to loved ones that their needs matter to us. When we share food, we give a little bit of ourselves as well.
At the Bellflower, we are all about creating an environment where people can connect. I personally love making a dish for a friend or setting up a table of special treats at our venue for guests to enjoy. I go out of my way to make sure the food looks as good as it tastes!
All the greatest chefs agree that a dish is so much more than taste alone. The experts go to great lengths to create beautiful arrangements on every plate. They know that presentation takes a dish from good to great! And when it’s done very well, a beautiful spread can draw people close together and give us a reason to start up a conversation.
This is especially true when it comes to a charcuterie board. Charcuterie is so much more than meat and cheese on a tray. It is truly a work of art! It’s beautiful and the tastes are exquisite.
Charcuterie has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, and it is no surprise!
It’s adaptable: you can easily make a small tray or fill a full table to meet the needs of any size gathering.
It’s attractional: guests just keep coming back for “one more bite” and the conversations around the table keep us close.
Best of all, there’s no cooking involved, so the preparation is easy and low-stress.
While most people love charcuterie, many are intimidated by the idea of making a board themselves. That’s why I’ve partnered with Laurel to bring a Charcuterie Board Workshop to the Bellflower this Holiday season.
Laurel a local gal, born and raised in Plainwell, Michigan. She’s a wife and mom to two busy toddlers; she also works full time as a hospital liaison. She knows what it’s like to feel busy and overwhelmed, but she combats those feelings with two things: creating and connecting. Creating and connecting with others are essentials for Laurel’s health and well-being, and she brings them together every time she puts together an amazing charcuterie spread for a gathering of friends and family.
Laurel is a charcuterie master, but she didn’t start off that way! A couple years ago her boss asked her to help “put out some meat and cheese” for an event. The board they created was the talk of the party and Laurel found a new passion!
Laurel knows how to create beautiful food, and she insists that ANYONE can learn to do it! I sat down and asked her to share some of her best-kept secrets with us:
1. Can anyone make a charcuterie board?
Answer: YES TIMES 1000! Anyone can put food on a platter! The “art,” or for me the joy, of putting together a charcuterie spread is the aesthetics of it. It’s calming and enjoyable to put together, impressive and satisfying to look at, and delicious to eat.
2. When did you make your first board? What was the moment you knew you LOVED it and had to share it with others?
Answer: Two-ish years ago-At the time I literally did not eat cold meat or cold cheese. I had no idea what went with what or what people liked so I just took what [my boss] had bought and made it look nice. When she arrived I wasn’t finished yet and she grabbed some meat to help me. She started rolling it up and folding other pieces and putting them in different shapes and it changed the whole look of the spread! When people arrived they couldn’t stop talking about the meat and cheese spread and I was hooked! I would try new things each time I did it, test different cheeses, different meats, add fruits and flowers, and pops of color. Look at pictures on Instagram of spreads. But no matter what I did people commented on how amazing it was, even when I thought it was lame! By my 10th spread, I’d get so hungry making them I started sampling some of the different items—had a cracker with a bit of jalapeño honey, a piece of black pepper salami, a schmear of goat cheese and it was O-V-E-R. Working with my hands, my head, and my belly: perfection.
3. Isn’t it expensive?
Answer: You can make a charcuterie spread with any budget! You can decide the price and plan around that. You can make a great 10 person spread for $50 if you limit your extras and shop smart. You can also make an extravagant, jaw-dropping 10- person spread for $150+. Aldi and Trader Joe’s are my go-to spots for cost-effective supplies, but still a good product. A good rule of thumb is 1-2oz of each meat & cheese per person. My go-to is three types of cheese, two types of meat, a mixed assortment of crackers, and pops of color for filler—which could be nuts, fruits, jams, etc.
4. Is it possible to do a gluten-free or allergy-friendly board?
Answer: You can put anything you want on your board! Sometimes I make my 1 & 2-year-olds a “fancy” spread with goldfish and fruit snacks! Rules are: there ain’t no rules! Don’t quote me on that unless you credit Grease. It’s your board-put on it what you want to eat!
5. How long ahead of time should I start arranging my food?
Answer: If I’m making a full table spread for an event I start 90 minutes before the event to fully set up and be cleaned up to present a good 15-30 before party time. If I’m just having a few friends over, I can throw something together in 15 minutes. The skills I share in my class should allow you to comfortably make a small party-sized spread in less than thirty minutes—no guarantees! I don’t like to put too many strict parameters on creativity, but just like money spent, time spent can be whatever you want it to be.
6. What do you say to people who say, "I'm not creative enough to make that?”
Answer: Everyone is capable of creating! There is no right or wrong. No matter what you do, people are going to enjoy eating it! Learning a few tips and tricks on how to present things in an aesthetically pleasing way just makes it more enjoyable for everyone.
I loved sitting down to learn from Laurel and I hope you enjoyed it too! Here’s what I took away from our interview:
Takeaway #1: Anyone can do it! You don’t have to be an artist, and charcuterie isn’t just for “creative” people.
Takeaway #2: It’s not about perfection! I love the way that others would complement Laurel’s boards even when she thought they weren’t great. We are often our own worst critics!
Takeaway #3: A little help can go a long way! Laurel’s boss showed her a couple tricks early on and it made way for a growing passion.
We can all use some help when it comes to learning something new! Laurel’s workshop is a perfect way to start your charcuterie journey. Whether you are a complete novice, or you’ve already done a few boards and just want to grow your skills, the tips and tricks that Laurel will share are sure to impress your friends, family, and co-workers at holiday parties, family dinners, and work meetings. Sign up alone or invite a friend to join you. Click below to register!
DETAILS: How to Arrange a Charcuterie Board Workshop
DATE: November 10, 2020 TIME: 6:30-8pm
COST: $45.00
Join The Bellflower on November 10 to learn about the art of arranging a charcuterie board. Building a homemade charcuterie board can be overwhelming. Laurel Day (@dosomethinglady) will provide tips and tricks that will allow you to create a beautiful board even if you have never done it before. You will leave ready to impress your family and friends by making your own charcuterie board on your new tray.
INCLUDED: 9-inch X 12-inch bamboo board, Cheese, charcuterie, accouterments, and garnishes, along with key tips that will allow you to create that WOW factor
**covid precautions will be taken so space is limited