Holiday Entertaining
Home for the Holidays LET'S CUT to the CHEESE
A cheese board is a delicacy that’s perfect for every occasion, but making one might seem like more than you bargained for. Michelle Webb of The Cheese Shop in Carrboro – a one-stop shop for all your customized cheese desires – follows these three steps to make the perfect board.
1
Choose Your Cheese
Hit the store as close to the event as possible. The cheese may already have been aged, but you want it freshly cut by the date you need it. Make sure to grab cheeses from different families to have a variety. Start with a fresh or chevre cheese, add a soft cheese like feta or ricotta and a firmed cheese such as cheddar or Parmigiano. Once you cover the bases, pick out a washed rind, or “stinky” cheese, for some pizazz. Be sure to grab about one to two ounces of cheese per person if the cheese board is accompanied by other items. 2
3
As you start getting your house ready for guests, Karrie Tilley from the Orange and Durham County chapters of the National League of Junior Cotillions has a few suggestions for keeping your kids involved.
1
Task your kids with answering the door and politely welcoming guests in. (Bonus if you can encourage them to use a different festive phrase with each person!) Be sure to tell them to stand up straight and make eye contact.
2
During mealtime, try to remind kiddos to keep their napkins in their laps, elbows down and chew with their mouths closed. Show them how to pass food to their right and practice excusing themselves if they are feeling fidgety.
3
Set out an art project for younger guests once they have finished eating – giant coloring sheets with holiday outlines like ornaments or Christmas trees are always popular. Purchase some paper party plates for kids to decorate to their hearts’ desire, or hide candy canes around the house for those youngsters who want to move around. Engage everyone at the party by hosting a Christmas tree-drawing contest (with no peeking!) and have everyone vote on a winner.
4
Let kids get creative with thank-you notes for any gifts.
Assemble Your Masterpiece Get creative with your
choice of board – slate and wood are classics. Assort your cheeses so that guests are starting with a mild, fresh or goat cheese followed by soft, hard and blue or stinky cheese as the finale. Cut your cheeses into shapes that pique your interest – triangles, wedges, batons or even crumbles. Place other items around and between the cheeses, really letting your imagination go.
Thank You
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chapelhillmagazine.com
November/December 2023
I l l ust rat i ons by Li ndsay Scot t
MIND your MANNERS
Add Accoutrements Pair the assorted cheeses with light
crackers – olive oil or lighter herb flavoring – to keep the attention on the cheese profiles. Fig jam can balance out the saltiness of the cheese while winter fruits like pears, apple slices and marcona almonds cleanse the palate. Steer away from adding harsh decoratives like rosemary or thyme, and make sure everything is seasonal and edible.
’Tis the season for hosting friends and family – we’ve got tips for making the most of it