The warmer months and festive season brings with it countless opportunities to enjoy the company of family and friends over delicious food and drinks. Whether you’re the host, or a guest who’s been asked to bring a plate, a gorgeous summer grazing board is a great way to impress a crowd.
We spoke to Charlie, the owner of Perth-based stylised grazing table business, Tawn & Tangerine and asked her to share her tips on how to make a killer grazing board that is sure to be the talk of the night.
1. Support Local
At Tawn & Tangerine we are passionate about bringing the farm to the platter. Being based in Perth, Western Australia we are spoilt for choice with small local producers offering top quality items. Wherever you live, have fun getting to know your local suppliers by heading to a farmers market or boutique produce shop, visiting a local farm or simply paying attention to your food labels and trying something new. On a recent trip to the UK we visited a pumpkin farm in Herefordshire and hand picked our dinner.
2. Your key pieces
In my opinion a platter isn’t complete without at least one super star of a cheese, some gourmet crackers with interesting flavours (fig and fennel anyone?), prosciutto and other cured meats, a moreish dip and some fresh in season fruit like these Cape Gooseberries grown and packed in Mariginiup, WA.
3. Variety
Having studied illustration at university, creating grazing platters and tables feeds my creativity and I like to think of each piece as art. Think about the final product, its bright contrasting colours, textures and all-round presentation. For a small board shared with friends, I suggest at least two cheeses, varying in colour (such as a brie and a blue) and at least two different crackers (something seeded perhaps, paired with a nice plain water cracker) to keep it interesting.
4. The ‘board’
This is the fun part! Get creative with your serving plate, board or platter. You could head to the local op shop and recycle a large decorative plate for something different. Personally, we like to serve our food on wood and had boards especially made at the local DIY garden shop for a reasonable price. Otherwise, you can utilise your favourite existing piece or purchase something new from any good kitchen or homeware shop. We recently purchased some oval Terra Cotta woodfired platters and cannot wait to use them!
5. The finished product
Take your time placing your items and use clean lines to keep everything looking neat. Now it’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy your beautiful creation. You could scatter a blanket and some cushions in a nice tranquil spot of sunshine in your back garden, head to your best friend's deck or even down to the beach and watch the sunset... just don’t forget your cheese knives and wine!
TAWN & TANGERINE is rustic and romantic, inspired by nature. Featuring gourmet, market fresh and local WA produce, we specialise in bringing the farm to the platter. Contact them to create a stunning grazing table at your next event!
www.tawnandtangerine.com.au
