Cheese platters are great for serving along with wine and they are great for all social gathering. Whether you are planning a casual or formal event, it’s always important to know how to present your cheese platters and what kinds of foods to add to the mix. Remember, it’s not just about flavours that compliment one another but also the right colour combinations for an enhanced visual appearance. As culinary experts will confirm, we “eat” with our eyes first so your food always needs to look appetising.
 
Once you have chosen at least two or three different types of cheese to serve to your guests, it’s important to pair the cheese with some meats. When adding meat to a cheese platter, you should include only about 150g of each type of meat. You also need to make sure that the meats you choose will compliment your cheese. Salami and prosciutto are both great and you can also add some thinly sliced ham as well. In fact, all of your meats should be thinly sliced for maximum flavour.
 
When arranging your platter, you should alternate between meat and cheese. You should also add some other delicious treats in between like nuts and fruit. Some examples of fruit that will suit your meat and cheese combination include apples, grapes, and peaches. Olives and pickles are also great for any cheese platter. Dates, pecans, and walnuts will help fill up your platter and don’t forget to set up a basket of breads and crackers. Like your cheese and meat, variety is key. You never know what your guests might prefer. In addition, if any of your guests are on a strict gluten-free diet, you should include some gluten-free bread products too. Make sure that you keep them separate and clearly marked.
 
If you are ever wondering whether a particular type of cheese tastes good with a certain type of meat, you can always buy a variety and do some taste testing before the event. Try different cheeses and meats until you find your favourites. Mild and strong meats and cheese varieties each have their place. Once you have chosen the ingredients for your platter, you should chose at least two types of wine (one red and one white) so that your guests can take their pick.
 
Place only what you need on the platter and keep standby platters ready to replace them once they start to look empty. Remember that you should let your cheese warm to room temperature slightly before serving it. Chilled cheese doesn’t have as rich a flavour which is why you need to let your platter stand for a few minutes in the kitchen before presenting it to your guests.