When serving cheese as part of your breakfast, lunch or dinner spread, you need to remember to keep it properly chilled. It is recommended that you remove cheese from the fridge and allow it to warm slightly for about an hour before serving. This is so that the full flavour of the cheese will be enjoyed. However, it does not mean that you should allow your cheese to get too warm. Here are some tips to help you keep your cheese at just the right temperature.

You will need:

  • Plastic container without the lid
  • Ice
  • Large table cloth
  • Serving platter

Method:

  • You will need a fairly shallow plastic container to begin with.
  • Place a large tablecloth under the container.
  • Fill the container to the halfway or three quarter mark with ice.
  • Fold the tablecloth in so that the plastic container is completely concealed.
  • Prepare your cheese platter and feel free to chill your tray before you do.
  • Keep your cheese platter in the fridge for as long as possible.
  • When you are ready, place the platter on top of the ice in the container.

Don’t overfill

Many people think that you should fill the plastic container to the brim and place the platter on top. This is not necessarily the best way of keeping your platter cool. If you nestle the platter inside the container, it will allow cool air to flow over the cheese.

Use for all dishes

You can use this tip for any other type of chilled dish too. Think about salads, sandwiches and other items that should not get warm at your event. If you are hosting an outdoor event, you should consider placing umbrellas in just the right spots so that your food is not in the direct sun. If you have a shaded area, this will also work nicely.

Finally, don’t forget to serve small portions and keep refills in the fridge. This helps maintain the food at the right temperature and reduces the risk of anything going bad. Have platters prepared in your fridge so that you only need to switch them out.