How To Arrange A Charcuterie Board For Maximum Visual Impact

Nothing impresses guests quite like an immaculate charcuterie board when hosting a get-together. The beauty of these culinary spectacles is they engage your inner artist, offering an opportunity to create something visually dazzling. Some would say there is no wrong way to combine complementary flavors and colors on the board. However, some professionals would care to disagree, or at least want to offer up some helpful advice.

We asked Dominick DiBartolomeo, owner and president of The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills and Domenico's Foods, what he considers essential for arranging an exquisite charcuterie board. Being an expert in the industry, he had a lot to say, but the first thing he notes is that aiming for a diversity of ingredients can amplify the look of your construction in a big way. "I love different colors, texture and flavors," he said. A brown Brunost cheese would be a refreshing distinction from a milky mozzarella, and the difference in texture and flavor would also pleasantly differentiate.

While contrast is crucial, you don't necessarily want to get too creative. "I'm not a fan of a charcuterie board that looks like a bouquet of flavors or a fruit basket, DiBartolomeo said. Instead, "we need to highlight the cheese and the charcuterie." The stars of the arrangement should shine the brightest, but that's not to say they can't be accompanied by co-stars that elevate the overall visual impact.

Hearty crackers, cured meats, and various types of cheese are charcuterie board staples, but DiBartolomeo said that "Adding fresh fruit is also key!" Not only does this give the palate a sweet break from rich, salty components, but it also adds a welcome splash of color.

However, he warned against being too excessive with frills like produce and spreads. "I see so many people assembling boards where there are a ton of edible flavors and fruit and hardly any cheese," he noted. When people see a charcuterie board, they have certain expectations regarding what they will be enjoying. Although fresh fruit can make the whole thing pop visually, when they see the display most are ready to dig into savory meat and cheese that's been pulled from the fridge at just the right time. It may look stunning, but from a flavor-pairing perspective, too many diversions can be disappointing.

Striking a balance between expectations and perception is vital. According to DiBartolomeo, "When you buy a charcuterie board from The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, we focus on the cheese with just the right amount of condiments." As long as the pattern is pleasing to the eye, you can really arrange the charcuterie board any way you like, but putting the correct ratio of various ingredients on it will make or break even the most extravagant design.