Serving CheeseOne of the most elegant, yet easy ways to entertain company is to present your guests with a fine selection of magnificent cheeses! All of the preparation may be done in advance, it's self-service (so you can enjoy the company of your guests rather than waiting on them), there's no cooking, clean-up is simple and the leftovers can be used in a variety of ways! Here are a few simple tips to help you entertain with cheese.
Purchase three to five different types of cheese for your display. Any more than five could be confusing to your guests.
Select cheeses with varying flavors, shapes and textures. (See the Types of Cheese)
If you plan to serve cheese as a whole block, leave enough room around each cheese so that it can be easily cut. Use a separate knife or cutter for each cheese.
Arrange cheeses on a wooden board or polished marble slab. Wicker, glass or metal trays are also nice. Leave enough room between the cheeses to allow for air circulation to prevent a milder cheese from absorbing a stronger one's flavor.
Cheese tastes best when served at room temperature. To achieve optimal flavor, remove cheeses from the refrigerator at least one hour prior to serving.
Serve crusty country breads or neutrally-flavored crackers. Brand names that describe a type of grain ("rye" or "wheat") are usually a good bet.
Serve fruits such as apples, grapes, melons, pears or strawberries with your cheese presentation.
Full-flavored beer and ales are good accompaniments to cheese. Selecting the right wines can enhance a cheese board (see Wine and Cheese Pairings).
 The Great Cheeses of New England Media / Public Relations | Retail Marketing Copyright 2002 - 2007 |
