For any event you are hosting, charcuterie grazing tables are a gorgeous way to impress your guests and fill their bellies. With minimal effort, you can make your table look like an elaborate piece of art that appears like it has been set up by a caterer.
3 Reasons to Love Grazing Tables
- It requires very few dishes and you only have to cook if you decide to put these kind of items on your board.
- Easy set up and will look great no matter your budget.
- The display looks elegant but also feels casual with the freedom to graze and converse around the table.
What You’ll Need for Your Grazing Table
- Kraft Paper – cut your Kraft Paper the size you would like to make your “board”. You want to have a little paper exposed around the edges when your grazing table is finished.
- Serveware – have a few serving pieces of different sizes, shapes, and heights. This will help add interest to your board. For this board I used a wood lazy susan, marble cake stands, slate cheese boards, and ramekins. *Reserve the foods that would need to be on these surfaces rather than the paper. For example, I put the berries on the slate boards and marble because they would get the Kraft Paper wet. Same applies for softer cheeses and meats. I use the ramekins for foods like pickles, olives, jams, and dips.
- Theme Decor – gather the decor you would like to add to your table. Get creative! These boards can be themed for any occasion. This board was for a fall wedding shower. I added brass candle sticks, little white pumpkins, and pears.
- Florals and Garnish – fresh flowers enhance any gathering experience. Create a centerpiece or several small arrangements. For this board, I asked the bride for her wedding colors and bouquet inspiration to create a centerpiece she would love. Garnishing your board is the perfect finishing touch that will make your grazing table pop! I like to use eucalyptus or fresh rosemary from the garden.
- Food for Grazing!
Important Things to Consider When Planning What to Serve
My favorite charcuterie resource is Ain’t Too Proud to Meg. She has board inspiration for absolutely any occasion. She also lists all her grocery items on the tray for easy shopping.
Determine your budget and the time you want to spend prepping. These two factors will determine some of your table items. For quick prep, purchase items that require little effort and can go straight from the package to the table. You can even find items like honey, jams, or pickles already canned in cute jars you simply just have to open.
Another good tip if you are planning for a shower or birthday is to ask the one you are hosting to list a few of their favorite items they’d like to see. The bride for our shower requested sausage balls, prosciutto, and deviled eggs.
Keep the day-of prep easy, go ahead and make any items that will need more time the day before to avoid chaos. You can wash veggies the day before as well, however, wash your berries right before use in cold water. Berries should not be washed the day before because they are prone to become soggy and not hold shape.
Nut allergies! Be mindful of any nut allergies your guests may have. It is most safe to put your nuts on another table in a separate bowl (wash your hands after handling to prevent cross-contamination). If you do place them on your board put them in their own bowl and to one side. That way guests can avoid these easier if they choose. The most common nut allergies are cashew, peanut, walnut, pistachio, and hazelnut.
Making Your Grazing Table is THIS easy!
Now to the fun part! Start by placing your serveware in their locations for presentation.
Add your decor and florals. Maintain good spacing with all of these items. It is going to look bare but remember, the star of the show is your food and there will be plenty to fill in the areas that look bare.
Add your food! You want your grazing table to look effortless, however, do your best to place your items where guests can easily pick up one item without disturbing the whole pile.
*consider your guest’s experience while placing all of your items. Make sure all foods are easy to reach with no obstacles. For example, I made sure all of my candles were placed towards the middle to avoid anyone accidentally knocking them over while grabbing their food. This table was served off from all sides. While adding my items, I like to walk around the whole table when placing. I wanted the grazing table to be beautiful from all angles and all of the options to be accessible from all sides.
Lastly, add your finishing touches. Take a look around and place serving utensils where needed. I added cocktail picks to each end of the table as an option for grazing as well. I like using a fine point sharpie on the Kraft Paper to label items guests might question. Fine point sharpies give you more control of your penmanship and are more legible. Finally, garnish your table with your desired greenery and watch the magic happen!
Give it a try! Just 5 simple steps to create your own charcuterie grazing table your guests are sure to awe over!
