How to host a charcuterie party with tips and ideas for both sweet and savory charcuterie boards.
I recently returned from hosting my 9th Bi-Annual Fresh Air Retreat and it was a complete success! This time we traveled to New Orleans and the food and atmosphere were fantastic. I had the opportunity to meet a new group of amazing food bloggers and we met and spoke to some wonderful sponsors like Del Duca, La Panzanella and Raincoast Chips. Amongst all the delicious food, classes and events we got to attend, making charcuterie boards was an absolute highlight. Such a fun and easy way to feed a group and there are tons of possibilities! Thought I’d share what I learned so you can throw a charcuterie party too.
How to host a charcuterie party
Choose a theme
I’m always a fan of a good theme! Whether you’re choosing charcuterie for a baby shower, bridal shower, or girls’ night out, choose something to tie the food and decor together. You can also theme your charcuterie boards and opt to make only savory or only sweet boards.
Send out invitations
Since my own charcuterie party was part of our Fresh Air Retreat, my invitations doubled as an itinerary. But for any formal gathering, try to send out invitations at least a month in advance! You want to make sure your potential guests aren’t double-booked by other activities or commitments. So create a fun invitation that fits your theme and send it out 4 weeks before the party.
decorate
Decorating is usually something that people totally love or really hate. But decorations don’t have to be elaborate! Even if it’s just some nice table decorations, I want something that will help set the atmosphere for a party. Fresh flowers, crockery, a few candles and a tablecloth and your kitchen or dining room will look much more chic.
Make the charcuterie boards
When it comes to making your sausage boards, the possibilities are endless. However, you definitely want a few different variations of crackers or baguettes. I love that La Panzanella’s croccantini have 8 different flavors to choose from, but are made with just 5 simple ingredients. Raincoast chips are another great option, as there are a variety of flavors to choose from too, but the crackers already contain a great mix of sweet and savory ingredients, so they pair well with whatever cheese or jam you have on hand.
Since charcuterie literally means “cured meat,” it’s important to choose the right variety. I loved using Del Duca’s wide range of salami, prosciutto and capocollo for our boards. With different proportions of peppery and strong or mild and soft flavors, they go well with all types of cheese and fruit. Add some accompaniments to your tray as well, such as olives, cucumbers, fresh or dried fruits, nuts, herbs, and sauces like spicy mustard or sweet honey. When choosing cheeses, choose hard cheeses such as Parmesan or Gouda and soft cheeses such as mascarpone or burrata.
Choosing a solid selection of cheeses, meats, crackers, and nuts is a surefire way to a successful, classic charcuterie board. Add some dark chocolate or chocolate-covered pretzels for the perfect balance of sweet and savory. However, you can also design an exclusively sweet charcuterie board or themed boards. Make a board with different types of candy, make a s’mores board with different graham crackers, chocolates and marshmallows. We took the s’mores idea one step further and used a small table fire to roast our mallows!
Enjoy!
Once you’ve decorated and prepared the food, just wait for your guests to arrive and enjoy the party! We added some pre-made bites of Raincoast chips with burrata cheese, cherry tomatoes and basil for a caprese salad twist, along with cream cheese, poached pears and candied walnuts. Since all food is bite-sized, it’s easy to eat and enjoy while chatting or moving around the party!
Whether you make the charcuterie boards ahead of time or provide your guests with platters of do-it-yourself meat and cheese boards, the endless possibilities will ensure your charcuterie party is a success.
Frequently asked Questions:
What is the 3 3 3 3 rule for sausage boards?
A simple rule to follow when making charcuterie boards for the first time is to choose three meats, three cheeses, three starches, and then three sweet or savory side dishes!
Where does sausage come from?
Charcuterie is a French word and essentially just means “fancy meat”. However, you can also prepare charcuterie boards without any meat at all, since the word has also come to describe the way food is presented on a board.
How do you calculate the portions for a sausage board?
Since cured meats are typically intended for munching rather than a meal, simply plan on around 2-3 ounces of meat and cheese per person. The attached pages will then also help to compensate for any differences.
Have you organized a sausage party yourself? Have you tried making any of the boards we make? Take a picture and share it on your social networks! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share!
More party apps
I couldn’t have asked for a better group to get together with for a week in NOLA. My love of food and culture, which I share with like-minded people, is one of my favorite aspects of being a food blogger. If you love food and also share it with others, then hosting your own charcuterie party is a great way to socialize and enjoy.
No fork required.