Growing up in my family's bagel business in Buffalo, New York, I learned that good food has a way of bringing people together. That passion led me from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (America’s cheese capital) to a nearly 20-year career in specialty cheese, where I've visited dairies around the world, hosted hundreds of cheese events, and collaborated with leading food brands.
After co-founding Downtown Morris Plains, I realized specialty cheese could bring the same sense of community to local gatherings. That idea became Cartisan Mobile Charcuterie Bar, where I help create memorable moments through beautiful cheese boards that inspire people to gather, connect, and celebrate.
Cheese Cred 101: My Top Tips for Building a Holiday Charcuterie Board
As the holiday season approaches, I encourage you to bring people together around a beautiful cheese board using some of my favorite tips and tricks. You can find everything you need at Costco, Trader Joe's, or your local grocery store to build a spread that feels elevated without being intimidating.
Use the 3-3-3-3 Guideline
The best boards reflect your own taste, but a simple place to start is three cheeses, three meats, three starches, and three accompaniments.
Choose a Variety of Cheeses
Select cheeses with different colors, textures, firmness levels, and milk types. I recommend something creamy like Brie, a semi-soft cheese like Havarti, a firm cheese like Manchego, an aged Cheddar or Gouda, a fresh and spreadable cheese such as Whipped Feta, and a seasonal option like Cranberry Chèvre.
Create Flavor Balance
After placing the cheeses, fill in the board with charcuterie meats, fruits, vegetables, honey, preserves, nuts, sweets, and artisanal breads or crackers. Make sure there aren’t gaps. Include items that are crunchy, sweet, spicy, salty, briny, fresh, and unexpected.
Plan the Right Amount
A good rule of thumb is planning for about one ounce of each cheese variety per guest, along with about one to one and a half ounces of charcuterie (meats) total. Always round up!
Vary Your Cuts & Styling
The way you cut and arrange your cheeses creates visual interest. Fan Brie into a circle, cube or cracker-cut slices of Havarti, alternate Manchego triangles into a zipper, crumble aged Cheddar or Gouda into rustic chunks, and slice goat cheese into medallions. Keep everything bite-sized for easy serving.
Add the Finishing Touches
Vary shapes, colors, and heights throughout the board. Fill remaining open spaces with garnishes like rosemary sprigs or edible flowers.
Serve at Room Temperature
Serve cheese at room temperature whenever possible. Most cheeses taste best after sitting out for 30 to 60 minutes and can safely remain out for several hours during a gathering.
Focus on Connection
From bagels in my family's bakery to cheeses on a holiday board, I've learned that the best memories are made together over good food. There's something magical about gathering around cheese, and it's why I still love sharing it.
Download my "Charcu-TREE" Guide free for City Lifestyle readers with code CITY by scanning the QR code below. Inside you'll find a complete shopping list, step-by-step styling roadmap, cheese descriptions, cutting techniques, serving quantities, and my favorite hosting tips to help you confidently create your own festive centerpiece.
Amanda Cocheo is a Morris Plains resident, award-winning specialty cheese expert with nearly 20 years of industry experience, and founder of Cartisan Mobile Charcuterie Bar. By day, she leads sales for a specialty cheese company. Beyond her full-time career, she shares her passion for cheese, entertaining, and community through Cartisan and her social platform, Cheese Cred. Follow her on Instagram @cheese.cred and visit CartisanNJ.com.