Wine & Dine with the Best Cheese Boards for Every Occasion

Charcuterie boards, grazing boards, cheese boards - whichever name you prefer to call them, stylized food boards have long been a hallmark of wine and dining. From the savory cheese, cured meats, candied nuts, and vibrant garnishes, a cheese board is a sure bet to elevating any dinner party, brunch, or holiday table.

But how do you start building your dream board? You start with a classic wooden base.

Choosing Your Perfect Charcuterie Board

Whether you’re new to DIY cheese boards or you’re a pro at cultivating the picture-perfect grazer, you can never go wrong with a simple yet stunning bamboo base. Bamboo is sleek, classic, and offers a beautiful rustic contrast to all the delectable choices carefully placed on it.

When looking at which bamboo cheese board to buy, make sure you consider what other accessories might need. Using your hands to graze is fine, but having a set of cheese knives and forks is always a good idea.

Some boards just come as is, but others come equipped with storage, knives, matching trays, and more. The great thing about cheese boards that include accessories and bonus items is that the board is specifically cultivated to make creating a cheese board easier. You don’t have to worry about what dish to put spiced jam in, where to put fruits, or if you have the proper utensils.

The 13-Inch Compact Cheese Board

One of the best ways to become an expert on anything is to start small. Having a lot of blank space to fill can be intimidating, so a compact board is the perfect choice for beginners looking to get into the beautiful world of charcuterie and cheese!

The 13 x 13 x 2-inch cheese board set by Smirly is perfectly sized to hold your go-to charcuterie favorites without overwhelming you with empty space. A notable feature of this board is its slide-out drawer which holds the included knives and utensils and extra crackers with its grooved edges. And in case you quickly master the art of charcuterie and need more space, this square bamboo board comes with a circular tray that’s perfect for fruits and nuts!

The Expandable 16-Inch Cheese Board

Hosting a wine and cheese night for you and your friends? Or planning a fancy living room date with your significant other? An expandable cheese board might just be the thing you need to make sure it’s a success!

When closed, the Smirly expandable bamboo board measures 16 x 13 x 2 inches. Its collapsed form is sizable enough to handle various smoked meats and spreads and still has room to offer more. Equipped with 3 pull-out drawers, you’ll have 2 side drawers that provided added space for garnishes and 1 front drawer to hold all the other accessories the board comes with!

For a complete list of what this expandable board includes, visit their Amazon listing.

The 15-Inch Cheese Board That Has It All

Functionality means everything when it comes to party planning. If you’re an avid entertainer and love dazzling guests with Instagram-worthy appetizers, you need a cheese board that has it all. It needs to be beautiful, adaptable to your needs, and include everything you’ll need when you’re ready to place your board out for everyone to enjoy.

Smirly’s all-inclusive cheese board set is a clear winner when it comes to the perfect balance of function and style. Made of natural bamboo, this chic board will look excellent on any countertop or table and functions as a single serving tray or expand to an impressive 21 inches. This board includes a knives and utensils set, ceramic sauce bowls, a removable slate plate, and a matching fruit tray for added versatility.

It’s rare to come across any more visually pleasing and delicious appetizer than a cultivated cheese board. They’re guaranteed crowd-pleasers at any holiday, and with the right board, anyone can master the art of charcuterie!

Want to create your own board but don’t know where to start? The Smirly team created a free step-by-step guide to guide you in making the best cheese board spread you can imagine and included it with the purchase of any of their 3 cheese boards.