Recipe: How to create the perfect cheeseboard this festive season

A cheeseboard is the ultimate hosting favourite – elegant, indulgent, and perfect for sharing. With a mix of cheeses, vibrant fruits, crackers, and rich chutneys, it’s the perfect addition to your festive gatherings.

Follow our guide to assemble the perfect cheeseboard.

A statement cheese

Choose a large, standout cheese to be the centrepiece of the board. We recommend a ripe soft cheese like Brie, Taleggio or Vacherin Mont D’Or for a delicate, creamy and crowd-pleasing option. We recommend serving soft cheeses at room temperature for the ultimate unctuous texture.

Complementary cheeses

For us it’s all about quality over quantity, so we’ll add no more than three additional cheeses to our board. Consider different textures and flavours that will complement each other, and ensure you have a range of mild and stronger options. An aged hard cheese such as a mature Keen’s or Montgomery Cheddar always goes down well, as well as Comté and Cornish Yarg. We also like sheep and goat’s cheeses as they’re fresh-tasting and floral which creates a nice sharp contrast to the hard cheeses.

A blue is also a classic choice, however not always the most popular so consider a smaller wedge if it’s not your guests’ favourite. If you prefer a milder blue you can’t go wrong with Gorgonzola, but Stilton or Roquefort pack a punch if strong cheeses are your thing.

If you’re feeling indulgent, an extra soft cheese would be our way to go. Some of our favourite heavy-hitters are buttery and rich Baron Bigod (the truffle one if pressed), Brillat Savarin (made with cream so it’s super decadent), and Époisses, which has a brine-washed rind and is spicy and sweet.

Plenty of crackers

Variety is key when it comes to your cracker selection. Choose an assortment that offers a range of textures, from seedy ones, oatcakes, and fruit-studded crackers, to classic water biscuits.

Chutneys and toppings

Chutneys add a rich sweetness that balances perfectly with cheese; try caramelised onion or spiced apple for a festive touch. Whole honeycomb, quince paste and truffle honey are also great for a special occasion.

Fruit

We like to incorporate fresh and dried fruit, depending on the season. Figs are a favourite – chop them in half and spread around the board. They add a lovely, sweet contrast to your cheeses and vibrant colour. Also consider grapes, blackberries, apples and pears for extra variety.

Nuts

Scatter walnuts or almonds across the board for added crunch and texture.

Wine pairing

Serve with a complementary red or white wine, or opt for something sweet and fortified such as Sauternes, Tokaji, Vin Santo or a Tawny Port.

Enjoy!