How to Make a Cheese Board

Variety is important! Give your guests an array of flavors, shapes, colors and strengths to enjoy.
Arrangement is key — get creative. Consider arranging cheese courses to showcase a range of textures or flavors within the same milk source.
Or, arrange a cheese board by country of origin: Italian cheeses, French cheeses, or Swiss cheeses are classic choices.
You can also create your cheese board around a holiday or theme. A Christmas cheese board (made with varieties of cheddar, cranberry Stilton, and holiday crackers) or a Memorial Day cookout cheese board (made with American cheeses and cold deli meats), for example, will get guests into the holiday spirit.
Garnish like a pro. Parsley, grapes, apples, pears, tomatoes, and celery are natural ingredients that will complement your cheese flavors — while adding texture, flavor, and beauty.

How much cheese is enough? A safe rule of thumb is 3.5 oz. of cheese per person. (If you're serving additional food, reduce cheese serving to 2.5 oz.)
Separate knives are a must. Keep a number of small, sharp cheese knives on hand — one for each variety. Using knives from strongly flavored blue-veined and mold-ripened cheeses can taint the flavors of more delicate cheeses.
Serve at room temperature. To enhance the natural flavor of cheese, plan ahead. About 2 hours before serving, remove the cheese from the refrigerator and wrap it loosely in a cheese cloth until you're ready to serve.
Suggest that guests begin with milder cheeses to prepare their palate for bolder, more assertive varieties later.

Maintain freshness and flavor by storing your cheese in a cheese cloth. No cheese cloth? Use clear plastic wrap or foil.
After wrapping, store cheese on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

With your hectic schedule, look to your neighborhood Giant Eagle^® Cheese Department for time-saving entertaining solutions like these:

Jarlsberg Swiss spread — Fill a bread bowl, or spread on baguette slices and broil until bubbly.
Giant Eagle Market District^® Brie — Available plain, or with sweet or savory toppings. Just heat and serve!
Specialty Cheese Courses — Choose from our wide selection of gourmet cheeses — then let our Cheesemongers do the rest. Our Specialty Cheese Courses are custom-made to your specifications and can be sized to serve either 12-20 or 20-35 guests. Your selections are presented on a black tray, garnished with red seedless grapes, and come with serving knives.