After building thousands of boards at our Santa Monica shop (and a few for Oprah's Favorite Things), we've learned that a great cheese and charcuterie board comes down to a simple formula. Here's exactly how we do it — and how you can do it at home.
Step 1: Choose Your Cheeses (3 to 5 is plenty)
Variety is everything. We always aim for a mix of milk types and textures: one soft and creamy (a triple cream like Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam or a bloomy goat cheese like Humboldt Fog), one firm and aged (an alpine style like Pleasant Ridge Reserve or a sharp cheddar like Hook's), and one wild card — a blue like Point Reyes Bay Blue, or whatever your cheesemonger is excited about that week.
Step 2: Add Cured Meats (2 to 4)
Look for contrast here too: one sliced whole-muscle meat (prosciutto, lomo, or rosemary ham) and one or two salamis. We exclusively carry small-batch American producers like Olympia Provisions, Coro, and Charlito's Cocina. Fold or ribbon the slices rather than laying them flat — it looks abundant and makes them easier to grab.
Step 3: The Accompaniments Make the Board
This is where a board goes from nice to unforgettable. Our non-negotiables: something sweet (raw honey — ours comes from Malibu — or fruit preserves), something tangy (cornichons, pickled mustard seeds, olives), something crunchy (nuts and great crackers — we make our own Lady Crackers for exactly this job), and seasonal fruit. We shop the Santa Monica Farmers Market three days a week, and whatever fruit is at its peak is what goes on our boards.
Step 4: Style It Like a Pro
Place your cheeses on the board first, spaced apart, then your meats, then build everything else around them in small clusters. Fill every gap — a full board always looks better than a sparse one. Finish with fresh herbs or edible flowers. Cut a few pieces off each cheese before serving so guests aren't afraid to dig in.
How Much Should You Buy?
For an appetizer portion, plan on about 2 ounces of cheese and 2 ounces of meat per person. If the board is the meal, double it.
Or Let Us Do It For You
If you're in Los Angeles, our signature boards are available for pickup in Santa Monica or LA delivery with 24-hour notice. Anywhere else in the country, our DIY Cheese & Charcuterie Board kit ships nationwide — or take our virtual board-building class and learn it live from us.