How To Lay Out a Cheese Board

Step 1: Select Your Cheese Board

The perfect cheese board starts with choosing the wooden board everything will lay on top of. Consider:

• How many people will be at the occasion? This will help determine the size or how many you need.

• What shape do you think will work best for it? You may want to think about what else you’ll be serving and how it fits in.

• Does it need handles? Is a towered look in line with the theme of the event?

Then, grab your cheese board and start assembling!

Step 2: Add Bowls & Cheeses

These are the big items that are going to take up the most space on the board. The bowls will hold sauces, like tzatziki, hummus, or jellies. The bowls are also a great spot to place pickles or assorted nuts. 

Meanwhile, you’ll probably want at least three to five different cheeses to appease all tastebuds. Some examples include cheddar (the older, the better!), gouda, brie, havarti, goat cheese, and blue cheese. Try to have a mix of soft and hard cheeses for variety. And make sure each one has a serving knife.

Step 3: Add Your Meats, Bread, and Crackers

There are tons of options here. For meats, you could include:

• Prosciutto

• Salami (spicy and/or regular)

• Mortadella

• Chorizo

• Ham 

• Pepperoni

• Pate

• Beef Jerky

Examples of bread for your board with a mix of different textures include:

• Baguette

• Pita

• Ciabatta

• Sourdough

• French bread

• Breadsticks

• Rye bread

Then, there’s your crackers for even more of a crunch. Try:

• Multigrain crackers

• Water crackers

• Seeded crackers

• Herbal crackers (Rosemary crackers from the store can be great with cheese!)

The key is to get a solid variety of all of the above. What are some of your and your friends or family’s favorites? Make sure to include those!

Step 4: Fill in the Empty Space

If you haven’t added nuts or pickles to your bowls, this is where you can add them! Fill in any extra space with these sprinkled throughout the board. Fruits, like grapes, blueberries, or strawberries, are also yummy additions!

Expert Tips for Crafting the Ultimate Cheese Board

But wait—there’s more! Here are some additional tips to help you craft the best cheese board around:

Tip #1: Time the Temperature

Cheese needs to breathe to reach its peak flavor. So, consider this: Remove firmer cheeses from refrigeration 45-60 minutes before serving, while softer varieties need just 20-30 minutes. This step allows the fats to soften and aromatic compounds to develop.

If this feels like a lot, don’t worry. You can still arrange the cheeses on your board while cold for easier handling, then allow them to temper once arranged.

Tip #2: Be Aware of Cutting Techniques

Each cheese style has its own cutting approach, as you can likely tell by how firm or soft it is. Cut aged firm cheeses like Parmesan into irregular chunks to showcase their crystalline texture. For semi-firm varieties like Gouda and cheddar or soft options like Brie, sticking a serving knife into them works well, too!

Tip #3: Consider the Season

Summer calls for fresh berries, stone fruits, and lighter honey varieties. Fall invites apple slices, pear fans, and spiced chutneys. Winter boards shine with dried fruits, candied nuts, and rich preserves. Spring welcomes fresh herbs, young vegetables, and floral honey. This seasonal approach ensures your board always feels fresh and relevant!

Tip #4: Elevate It Through Unexpected Elements

Move beyond traditional pairings with surprising additions. Try chocolate—dark with aged Gouda, milk with blue cheese. Incorporate pickled elements beyond cornichons—pickled blueberries, cherries, or fennel add bright acidity. Infused honey (try truffle, lavender, or hot pepper) creates memorable flavor experiences. Even edible flowers can serve as both garnish and complementary flavor notes. And ginger snaps actually taste incredible with cheddar cheese. So, experiment; have fun with it! Tasting is supposed to be a bit of an adventure.

Tip #5: Strategically Place Differing Heights in Different Spots

Professional cheese boards incorporate height for visual interest and practical spacing, and you can 110% steal this idea.

Use small, inverted ramekins under certain elements to create elevated platforms, stack crackers vertically in small groupings, or fold charcuterie into roses or waves. These techniques maximize limited space while creating an abundant impression.

Tip #6: Add Unique Finishing Touches

Drizzle honey artfully over specific cheeses, add a light sprinkle of finishing salt to neutral crackers, scatter fresh herb leaves like tiny confetti, or add a mist of truffle oil over a section. These last-minute additions provide aromatic intrigue and visual polish.

Whatever you choose to do, it all starts with that wooden board. At Hammont, our various boards offer something for every occasion. Start your party planning or gift wrapping with us!