A beautiful charcuterie board is all in the details. Beyond what you put on the board, the serving pieces you use can make the spread feel even more special.
Choose your favorite cheeses, cured meats, olives, fresh fruit and accompaniments, then have a little fun with how you serve them. A charcuterie board is the perfect place to mix in favorite pieces in unexpected ways, adding height, texture and interest while giving pieces you already love a whole new purpose.
Rethink Your Glassware
A martini or liqueur glass can be just as charming on a charcuterie board as it is filled with a cocktail. Fill a martini glass with olives, or use a liqueur glass to hold charcuterie picks, or serve colorful crudités in a champagne flute.
It’s a simple way to give your favorite glassware an unexpected purpose while adding a little personality to the board.
And don’t be afraid to think beyond the traditional cheese board. A dessert 'charcuterie' board filled with fresh fruit, pastries, chocolates and other favorite sweets is such a fun way to finish a meal or serve a crowd.
Give Petite Pieces a New Purpose
Some of our smallest pieces are often the most useful when entertaining. Try using a pewter creamer for honey or a favorite preserve to pair with cheese, or a compote for dips and spreads.
These smaller pieces are easy to tuck throughout the board, giving everything its own place while adding another layer to the presentation.
Add a Little Height
A great charcuterie board should feel abundant, and varying the height of your ingredients is one of the easiest ways to create that look.
Try piling grapes or fresh fruit onto a Vintage petite pedestal dish. Elevating even one or two ingredients adds dimension and keeps the entire spread from feeling too flat.
Take It Outdoors
For al fresco entertaining, I love pairing the Tavola Wood Cheese Board with the Tavola Dome. It’s a beautiful and practical way to keep cheeses and other bites covered outdoors without taking away from the presentation.
For smaller bites, an egg cup with a glass cloche is another charming way to keep individual accompaniments covered while adding a little height and interest to the board.
Add your favorite cheeses, cured meats, seasonal fruit and a few accompaniments, and you have an easy spread that’s ready to enjoy outside.
Mix, Layer and Have Fun
There really are no rules when it comes to creating a charcuterie board. Mix pieces from different Arte Italica collections, play with different heights and pull a favorite dish out of the china cabinet and give it an entirely new purpose.
That’s what I love most about a beautiful table. The pieces you collect over time should be used and enjoyed, and sometimes that means looking beyond what they were originally designed for.
The next time you’re putting together a charcuterie board, take a look through your cabinets before reaching for the usual serving pieces. A martini glass, creamer, compote or pedestal dish might be exactly what your board needs.