Photo credit: Uma Nambiar

A cheese plate made by my mom sits on a table. Cheese plates appear ordinary, but when customized, they can have the potential to look amazing.

Everyone loves a good cheese plate. And me…well, I’m no exception. I grew up appreciating the art of curating the perfect dairy display. Growing up watching my mom invest many hours into creating the perfect cheese plate, I’ve finally learned the craft. So, here are the best ways to make an awe-inspiring cheese board.

Use the right cheese

To start off, the cheese must be the best of the best. A good cheese plate loses all of its flair if the cheese doesn’t taste rich, fresh and absolutely delicious.

If you are looking to design a cheese plate that wows, I recommend going for a salty and peppery Toscana cheese, the strong and flavorful truffle brie from Whole Foods and my all-time favorite: creamy Cotswold cheese. Let’s be honest — nobody wants to eat a piece of plain cheddar when they could taste something more elevated and flavorful.

As a bonus, make it easier for your guests (and you!) by cutting the cheese into slices before your event. That way, when it’s time to eat, the cheese is much easier to grab and enjoy. I recommend cutting into triangle-shaped pieces for some versatility, but regular slices will do as well.

Make sure the crackers are top-tier

Although it may not seem obvious, crackers. Make. A. Difference. No matter how delicious the cheese on your cheese plate, without the correct vehicle to eat it on, it just won’t taste as good. In my opinion, the best cracker has the perfect mix of saltiness, savory flavors and crunchiness.

There are many different brands of crackers and chips, but honestly, the only brand you truly need is the Pecan Nut-Thins from Whole Foods. These crackers pair well with every type of cheese and add a burst of salt to your cheesy bite.

Pair with quality fruit

A truly diverse cheese plate has to display other items besides simply cheese and crackers. Fruit is the best solution. While fruit can add a pop of color to your cheese plate, it can also be a good palate cleanser after a bite of strong cheese. When making my cheese plates, I always go for a cold, crunchy bunch of grapes. It looks elegant and classy, while also tasting scrumptious.

However, if fresh fruits aren’t your thing, dried fruits can also do the trick. Dried oranges look pleasant, while dried mangoes taste absolutely delicious. They also get the job done to bring some vibrance to your cheese plate.

Add sweets

An assortment of sweet treats will make your cheese plate even more appealing than it already is. The trick, though, is to try avoiding big sweets like cookies — they will take away from the cheese, which should be the main attraction.

Instead, add small gummies, little candies or even chocolates. But, if you are the type of person who must have that cookie, there are plenty of yummy options for mini cookies out there. Tate’s has really good ones.

Find the right cold cuts

On ordinary cheese plates, cold cuts consist of slabs of salami. To take it up a notch, I would elevate the game with creative salami roses. There are many ways to make a salami rose, but using a glass is the easiest (to me). And it will always impress your guests.

If you are not into salami or simply want to try a different meat, prosciutto is just as satisfying. I personally prefer prosciutto to salami, as it is much more savory and texturally fun to eat while pairing nicely with cheese and crackers.

Honey, jam and more

Like I always say, “Honey makes everything better.” Well, I don’t always say that, but in the case of cheese plates, it is 100% true. A drizzle of honey on a bite of cracker and cheese feels much more elegant. The combination of sweet and savory is the best way to take your cheese plate to another level.

Jam is also another great option. I always go for strawberry, fig or apricot. To me, they taste the best with cheese. I would put your jam or honey into a small container, and, if you have it, a honey dipper to make it look more put-together.

Pack it all in

Finally, there is one most important step. After obtaining and organizing all your items, you must make sure there is no room left on your cheese plate. If there is any blank space, find another chocolate or cracker to fill it in. The more packed your plate is, the more professional it looks to your guests. After you have gotten your items and packed it all on your plate, it is ready to be eaten.

There are infinitely more ways to curate and customize a cheese plate. To me, these are the professional basics to use if you want to curate a higher-level cheese plate.

So what are you waiting for? Get cheese-plating!