Our Guide to Ultimate Gourmet Grazing Boards

Grazing boards, sharing feasts, platters – whatever you know them as; they are all the rage these days! They are perfect for entertaining as they offer a huge range of different tastes and look enticing and colourful on any table. Grazing boards or tables are a much more exciting way to present many small bites of food such as grapes, olives, cured meats, dried fruit and a variety of different cheeses such as camembert or Roquefort. A true feast for the eyes!

 

What are Grazing Boards?

Grazing boards at first glance may look like a piece of art, with all the different colours of complimentary food blending on a beautiful canvas (tray, board or table). But they are large platters with small bites that make up sweet, savoury, crunchy and fresh flavours, meaning there is something for everybody to enjoy!

What typically goes into a Gourmet Grazing Boards?

Dried fruits such as grapes, pomegranates, and figs

Dips like chutney and hummus

Honey or olive oil which is perfect for drizzling

Luxury, savoury crackers, breadsticks, and crusty bread

Fine olives and nuts

Cured meats such as chorizo

And perhaps most important of all: cheese such as brie, camembert, soft goats’ cheese, and hard cheese such as cheddar or stilton.

 

Or, have you considered having a desert grazing platter?

Fruits like blueberries and apples, or even strawberries dipped in chocolate

Dried fruit or bite-sized pieces of cake

Marshmallows roasted over a fire and drizzled in chocolate or honey

Macaroons, waffles, meringues.

There isn’t really a limit when it comes to filling your dessert grazing platter!

 

Why are Grazing Boards so popular?

Since lockdown lifted, there has been a shift towards intimate gatherings amongst friends, family and even corporate businesses. Especially in the summertime sunshine when people are wanting to eat a little less and ‘graze’ on food and sip champagne – grazing boards have really taken off! With grazing boards, there isn’t a worry about preparing food for hours ahead of time and slaving away inside a hot kitchen, as they consist of ‘finger food’ which is quick and easy to prepare. This type of food is also the perfect way to get guests to mingle with one another over drinks, making for a more social gathering.

What type of events are Gourmet Grazing Boards good for?

Grazing boards are great for any type of event including dinner or birthday parties! Although they see their popularity the most in summertime events accompanied by a drink, they are adored by most guests due to their wide range of both flavours and food. Grazing boards also allow guests to pick and choose how much they want to eat. Not to mention this means minimal food preparation and washing up for the host! Guests of all ages for birthday parties, picnics and even corporate events enjoy a good grazing board. Did you know you can also decorate grazing boards with decorations that follow the theme of your gathering? A classic summer-time example could be placing jars of seasonal wildflowers amongst the food. Or if your party follows a more luxurious theme, you could add small candles (unlit) amongst the food along with edible flowers.

 

Eager for a fine food grazing board for your own party or event? We serve fresh, locally sourced, quality food for any event, regardless of food intolerance, allergies, and dietary requirements. For any Thame, Oxfordshire or Buckinghamshire-based catering enquiries please contact us on 07796 274028 or email us at [email protected].