Charcuterie Platter from “Gathered by Stef”
If you’re planning an event or a party, there’s probably a big question mark hanging in your mind: what’s everybody going to eat?
Whether you’re having a handful of people over for an intimate gathering or you're inviting dozens of people for a big bash, cooking can get stressful, time-consuming, and, frankly, messy when you’re feeding a crowd.
This might just be why charcuterie boards have made a big comeback in recent years. You can find these beautiful and delicious boards on the menu at fine dining restaurants across the U.S. and throughout Europe, with chefs carefully selecting the finest ingredients and displaying them artfully.
Are you wondering whether you should have a charcuterie board at your next party? Are you still not quite sure what a charcuterie board exactly is? Stick with us while we take a look at everything you need to know.
What Is a Charcuterie Board?
The word charcuterie has its roots in the French language, with chair meaning ‘flesh’ and cuit meaning cooked. A charcuterie board can contain a heck of a lot more than just cooked and cured meats, though. Pronounced shaar-koo-tr-ee, charcuterie boards have been experiencing something of a renaissance in recent years. If the word charcuterie is new to you, you might know these aesthetically-pleasing and delicious plates as antipasti platters or meat and cheese boards.
Rather than being chaotic piling of ingredients, these boards can be arranged artfully on beautiful wooden boards or large platters. While the star of the show is typically cured meat, they can also include everything from cheese and fruit to olives and bread.
Other welcome additions to charcuterie boards include fresh vegetables, dipping sauces and spreads, quality oils and vinegars, nuts and seeds, and sweet treats.
Why You Should Have a Charcuterie Board at Your Next Party
Charcuterie Boards Commissioned by “Gathered by Stef”
When you’re planning a party, all of the different moving parts can take away from the feeling of merriment you envisioned when you first decided to invite a bunch of people over. Putting together a charcuterie board, (or, better yet, hiring someone as skilled and talented as Stef over at Gathered By Stef to create a work of art for your next gathering,) can be an awesome way to keep your planning simple without sacrificing style.
1. They Bring Everyone Closer Together
Charcuterie Platter from “Gathered by Stef”
There is something so ancient and beautiful about sharing food with a group of people, whether you’ve known each other for your whole lives or you’re just getting to know one another. If you’ve never had the joy of chatting and enjoying a shared platter of food with others, now is the perfect time to find out exactly how incredible it can feel to enjoy this type of casual intimacy!
2. They’re Infinitely Customizable
Whether one of your guests is vegan, gluten-free, or just allergic to everything, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to creating a charcuterie board. You can even choose to have different themes for your boards, (think Greek, French, locally sourced, autumnal, and so on,) and they can be as extravagant or as bare bones as you please. This is the perfect opportunity to let your creative juices fly and experiment with different flavor combinations and ingredients.
3. They’re at Once Casual and Elegant
There are few things in life that really are both so classy and so down to earth at the same time, but charcuterie boards are one of them. You can choose to forgo the hassle of plates and utensils entirely, or you can let your guests serve themselves on their own small plates. Charcuterie boards let you and your guests explore the elegance that can be found in simplicity, enjoying cured meats, fine cheeses, high-quality olives, and more.
4. They Minimize Dishes
One of the best things about having a charcuterie board at a party is that you don’t have to use an entire kitchen’s worth of pots, pans, silverware, and more to make an incredible finished product. If you’re looking to make your party as classy as possible without setting yourself for hours of clean up, a charcuterie board is the perfect choice.
In addition, there’s something so cool about being able to enjoy a charcuterie board without using any utensils. Of course, you might have some spatulas or spoons to move items to your plate or apply spreads, but utensils are otherwise unnecessary. That makes enjoying a charcuterie board a uniquely tactile experience, which we think is pretty awesome.
5. There’s No Wrong Way to Make a Charcuterie Board
One of the best things about charcuterie boards is there really isn’t a wrong way to make one. While there is a spectrum from traditional to experimental when it comes to your spread, it really is an exercise in creativity and flavor combinations where the sky is the limit.
Will You Have a Charcuterie Board at Your Next Party?
Whether you’re putting together a simple board of grapes and cheese for your family dinner or you're designing an extravagant spread for an elegant dinner party, there’s really no wrong way to make a charcuterie board. This is the perfect opportunity to let your personality, taste, and creativity shine without having to spend hours slaving over a hot oven.
All of the photos in this post are the result of a collaboration between Gathered By Stef and Sirr’s Furniture. We made handmade boards out of exotic hardwoods so Stef could work her culinary magic.
If you’ve got a lot on your plate when it comes to organizing your next party or event, let Gathered By Stef take care of it for you. She’ll make you delicious and artful boards whether you’re having a BBQ, a baby shower, a company luncheon, or any other occasion.
Are you looking for the perfect board to display your array of fine meats, cheese, and more? Look no further than Sirr’s Furniture. Whether you choose one of the boards already in our shop or you’d like us to make a custom board for you, we’d love to help make your next party a success.