ALL ABOARD

Written by Melissa Mahanes

Charcuterie boards seem to be the latest and greatest grazing trend. Consisting of a splendid array of cured meats, cheeses, and anything crispy and crunchy you can imagine, all constructed on a decorative wooden board, the possibilities are endless.

Recently, watching Live with Kelly and Ryan, Marissa Mullen, author of That Cheese Plate will Change Your Life demonstrated the perfect sociallydistanced appetizer alternative-individual charcuterie plates. We all long for the days when we can graze together from one big spectacular table or platter, so I wanted to introduce you to some of the best I have discovered. Whether you would like to dine out, have it delivered to your door, scoop up when you are on the go, or make you own, I have you covered.

• North Italia’s “Chef’s Board” is a delicious array of prosciutto di parma, spicy coppa, pecorino stagionato, crescenza, grilled piquillo pepper, castelvetrano olive, marcona almond, fig mostarda and grilled bread • Husk’s “Ham Plate“ features slices of Benton’s Country Ham, pickled vegetables, and biscuits • Fable Lounge’s Charcuterie menu allows you to select your choices of artisanal cheeses and charcuterie impeccably arranged on their branded wooden board • The Register offers an overflowing array of meats and cheeses on their charcuterie menu to enjoy with a craft cocktail in their intimate members-only downtown social club

• Cortney LaCorte AKA “The Cheese Gal” offers bespoke, show-stopping edible statements. Cheese Gal has opened a storefront location on Union Street and features boards of all sizes and catering. Her offerings include organic fruits and a variety of themed platters. The picnic boxes are beautifully packaged and come with a selection of two artisanal cheeses, one charcuterie meat, seasonal fruit, a side of artisanal crackers, jam, nuts and fresh garnish.

• Anzie Blue offers not one but two notable charcuterie boards with varied selections of cheeses and charcuterie. They also have a Bagel Board and Caprese Board and a (*gasp*) S’mores Board with all of the fixings with a warm chocolate fondue-what a wonderful sweet treat on a crisp fall day! Anzie Blue will be moving on their First Anniversary to Belcourt Avenue in Hillsboro Village. They offer dine-in charcuterie boards and are offering shipping of charcuterie kits for delectable holiday gifts.

• Co-owners Lindsey Aeverman and Barbara Anne Corbett of NoshBoards Franklin take grazing to another level. They cover tables for events of any size with the most incredible array of edibles. They are also offering portable Noshables at Triple Crown Bakery on 4th Avenue in Downtown Franklin for some takeaway treats.

Host & Toast Nashville is a luxury concierge company specializing in the design of custom curated cheese and charcuterie boards as well as concierge services for visitors to Nashville staying in short term vacation rentals. Nashville native Anne Elizabeth McIntosh is sharing her love for hosting and serving others as well as her southern hospitality through beautiful and delicious boards. Boards and grazing tables can accommodate one to 200+ people and in November and December you can look for Cheese and Charcuterie Workshops in conjunction with local retailer, ABLE, for a fun holiday activity.

Amy Lekai of Nashcuterie delivers artisanal platters that include a selection of meats and cheeses with crackers, seasonal fruits/veggies, mixed nuts, olives, garnishes, and a 4 oz jar of honey.

To embrace your inner food stylist, take a workshop from one of these talented charcuterie crafters (great smallscale holiday party idea) or pick up one of the many offerings in print and make your own edible masterpieces.

North Italia/The Mall at Green Hills (northitalia.com), Husk/37 Rutledge Street (husknashville.com), Fable Lounge/114 28th Avenue North (fablelounge.com), The Register (Private Club-please inquire at theregister.io) /200 2nd Avenue South, Cheese Gal (dine-in, pickup, deliveries and workshops)/401 Union Street (cheesegal.com), Anzie Blue (dine-in and shipped) / 2111 Belcourt Avenue (anzieblue.com), Host & Toast Nashville (Boards delivered and workshops) (615) 473-1434 NoshBoards Franklin (Boards and tables delivered and workshops) (615) 306-6259 barb@noshboardsfranklin.com Instagram: @noshboardsfranklin, Nashcuterie (Boards delivered) nashcuterie@gmail.com Instagram: @nashcuterie Photo credits: Andrea Behrends (Husk) Colin Flora (The Register) Rachel Ayotte (Anzie Blue) Brooke Bowling (Cheese Gal) Carolyn Thombs (Host & Toast Nashville)