Grazing Table - 9 tips how to make your own

Are Grazing Tables still popular?

If you’ve spent around five minutes on social media recently, you’ve likely seen no fewer than 2,763 different grazing tables or cheese and charcuterie platters on your feed. That’s maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but did you get our point? Unique and mouthwatering spreads featuring piles of meats, cheeses, and canapés are extremely Trendy with a capital T, and guests really enjoy them. They are cost effective to feed a crowd, go with pretty much any budget and any type of the event small or large, corporate or private.

How to make a unique Grazing Table? Our 9 tips

1. To make sure everything looks great and fresh you need to assemble your grazing table just before serving. We strongly advise to prepare beforehand but serve just before your guests arrive

2. Don’t forget about crackers, breadsticks, baguettes – try not to overdo it though with artisan crackers and fancy breads. Simplicity is a key. Let the cheese be a star of a show Simple crackers can be used as a vessel for cheese and all the dips.

3. It’s alway a great idea to slice off the cheeses before placing them on your grazing table or grazing platter. It makes it much easier for your guest to grab them. Even though whole round Brie looks great leaving whole cheeses on your grazing table is not practical. If you put a whole wedge or block of cheese on the table, people will either hesitate or struggle to cut it. Avoid food that’s either too big or too messy to eat.

4. Variety is a key – there are no strict rules or recipes for grazing table. I always advise to use your favorite nibbles so your guests can enjoy what you really like and get to know you better through food. Good mixture of cheeses: soft, hard, blue, goat etc as well as 2/3 different meats. There’s likely to be something for everyone and your guest can nibble while chatting over drinks.

5. Foliage/ greenery – it’s a perfect solution to fill in any gaps on your grazing table with fonds of eucalyptus, sprigs of rosemary, bay leaves or olive branches. The whole set up will look fuller and more elegant thanks to that. Thanks to flower arrangements as well as greenery you can style it to match event decorations and style of the venue. But remember, don’t go crazy with styling though. The table must look like eatable art while still being accessible for your guests. Be careful not to over scatter though, as it can make your table look too crowded and messy.

6. For the wow factor set up your grazing table on different levels rather than on one flat surface. You can use wooden crates, metal boxes,cake stands etc. Try to get creative here, possibilities are endless – whatever suits the interior of the venue. It will get your grazing table much more visually appealing. By adding some height you are going to create three new dimensional food experience rather than flat sad cheese platter situation.

7. Well planned grazing buffet is a key to the success. We would strongly advise to start by making a list of all the things that you want to have on your grazing table. It will help you with groceries planning. Prep ahead the day before so on the day of the event you have much less work and can have a bit of spare time to get ready to host. Slice the cheeses, get all the ramekins ready, set up platters and boards on our table/kitchen island. Get spoons ready for condiments, wash fruits and veg.

8. Make your table accessible. Ideally, guests will be able to graze from around the table, but that is not always possible. If this isn’t the case and your table is placed on the side next to the wall I would strongly suggest to make you grazing table longer rather than wider so more people can grab nibbles at the same time.

9. Fold your meats. It’s a funny thing to say, but it will make your grazing tables much prettier and neater. If you have flimsy Italian Prosciutto or larger pieces of salami, fold them up nicely to create visual interest for your guest.

What do you need to make a grazing table?

First of all let’s start with your budget and amount of guests you are expecting. I’m not going to tell you that you can feed 20 people for £30, it’s not realistic. £50 is reasonable for 20 guests with simple grazing table, but if you want something a bit fancier you would need to spend more.

Basic shopping list for grazing table groceries

Selection of cheeses (at least 3) if you have more budget buy 5 or 7 different cheeses but always uneven number. Manchego, Brie, Stilton, Cheddar, Gouda and Goat cheese are the most popular and safe choice.
Selection of charcuterie – good quality Salami, Prosciutto, Bresaola, Saucisson, Coppa etc
Crackers and good quality baguette
Nocellara olives
Small cornischons
Small pickles onions
Carmelised onion chutney
Chili jam
Honey
Dried apricots
Almonds
Oranges, grapes and figs

How long can you leave Grazing Table out?

Food on the grazing table or grazing platters can be left for up to 4 hours at room temperature after which time it must be disposed off. We advise to always set up in cool, shaded area away from direct sunlight or radiators. If it’s particularly hot day this time will need to be reduced.

Is a Grazing Table worth it?

Totally! It’s a showstopper and this is what you want as a host. It’s easy to set up – meaning you can focus on what’s important like spending time with you guest. It lets them to taste a little bit of everything. Grazing table allows large degree of creativity tailored to specific event. It’s not only delicious but extremely eye catching and it’s a great way for your guest to start those conversations flowing over nibbles and drinks.