By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Antipasto platters and charcuterie boards have gone from functional to fabulous and with the end-of-year celebrations on the horizon, there’s no better time to elevate your grazing game. Think layers, textures, colour and that extra little wow factor that makes your table instantly festive.
First base
Gone are the days when a plain wooden board would do. This year, think of your platter as a canvas. Marble slabs, slate boards, or even large ceramic trays instantly up the luxe factor. Don’t be afraid to layer boards of different heights and sizes for a sense of abundance – it creates a visual ‘wow’ without adding any extra effort.
Next, consider the foundation: place small bowls or ramekins for dips, olives, or nuts first. These anchor the board and make it easier to fill around them with larger items like cheese, cured meat and fresh produce.
Play With Colour and Texture
A grazing board that’s all brown and beige? That’s so last year. The 2025 glow-up is about colour. Deep green olives, bright red cherry tomatoes, purple radicchio, golden heirloom carrots and vibrant edible flowers create a feast for the eyes before it even reaches the mouth.
Texture matters just as much as colour. Mix creamy cheese with firm cheese, smooth pâtés with crunchy crackers, soft breadsticks with nuts. Variety keeps your board interesting and encourages guests to try combinations they might not have considered.
Cheese and Meat – Don’t Just Stack
Cheese should be sliced and arranged thoughtfully, not just plonked on the board. Fold soft cheese into elegant little mounds, cut hard cheese into triangles or cubes, and leave small cheese knives for guests to help themselves.
For cured meat, ribbon-style folding or rolling into little cylinders instantly lifts presentation. Layering these around dips or alongside cheese creates natural pathways for the eye to travel across the board.
Add Seasonal Fruit and Extras
Fresh and dried fruit, nuts and preserves are the secret to making your board feel luxurious. Think juicy figs, sweet pomegranate seeds, tart berries, roasted almonds and honey drizzled over ricotta or soft cheese. These touches elevate the platter beyond simple finger food into something that feels celebratory.
For a touch of drama, edible flowers and microgreens work beautifully. They add instant colour, freshness and a professional finish that says "I thought about this” without a huge amount of effort.
Bread, Crackers and Something Unexpected
No grazing board is complete without bread or crackers. Offer a mix of textures – crisp flatbreads, seeded crackers, sourdough chunks, or even homemade lavash. Layer them around the edges or stack them loosely to add height.
For the final flourish, add a little unexpected element. Think pickled vegetables, marinated artichokes, or even a small bowl of truffle butter. These surprises give guests a moment of delight and turn your grazing board from good to memorable.
Presentation Tips for Maximum Impact
- Use height: Stack bowls, cheese, or cured meat to avoid a flat-looking board.
- Create sections: Group similar colours or flavours together to guide the eye.
- Fill the gaps: Use nuts, fresh herbs, or edible flowers to fill empty spaces.
Think about flow: Guests should move around the board naturally, without it looking crowded.
By carefully curating colours, textures and layers, your antipasto platter transforms from a simple snack into a stunning end-of-year statement.
The grazing board glow-up is about generosity – of flavour, style and attention to detail. Serve it with a few chilled wines and suddenly your table feels like the centrepiece of the party. After all, the holidays are about celebrating – and what better way to do that than with a board that’s as beautiful as it is delicious?
