I’ve always been pretty honest about the fact that I am far from being an incredible cook. Sure every once in awhile I totally nail it, but most evenings I can be found either ordering takeout, mooching off my boyfriend’s dinner, or eating popcorn and wine if I’m forced to feed myself. But when it does come to hosting friends or showing up to a potluck, I can usually be found putting together an awesome cheese plate that would make you think I’m a total foodie, despite my popcorn making tendencies.

There’s really nothing I love more than putting together an epic cheese plate filled to the brim with a few of my favorite things. After become a self proclaimed cheese plate master, I’ve learned a few secrets along the way that even make my cheese-hating boyfriend not totally cringe when I put together a cheese plate for a party. Plus it doesn’t drive me too crazy since I don’t usually have to cook a thing, yet I still look like a party rockstar – score! So sit back, pour yourself a big glass of wine, and let’s make an awesome cheese plate together, shall we? Here are a few of my favorite tips from my many cheese plates over the years.

1. Don’t skimp on the cheese! But for real, please don’t, because good cheese is what makes a cheese plate so darn good. As a proud Wisconsinite I’m pretty partial to Wisconsin cheese, and my favorite local brand is Sartori, and I seriously stock up every time I come back to Madison. When picking cheese for a plate, make sure to pick varieties with different flavor profiles to appeal to more people, from white to cheddar cheese, strong cheese like Gorgonzola or goat cheese, and a milder cheese like my favorite from Sartori, their Montamoré cheese. I like to have at least 3 cheese per plate to mix things up and to also make sure that there’s always one open for a guest to swoop in and load up their crackers.

2. And Don’t skimp on crackers either: Get rid of your Ritz crackers because your cheese {and your friends} deserve better! I love slicing up a fresh baguette for some french inspired flare, otherwise I usually go for Potter’s Crackers – another place based in my hometown of Madison right down the street from where I grew up. I like picking crackers that just have salt as a flavoring to not take too much away from your cheese enjoying experience – but I’ll always say yes to anything with rosemary too!

3. Add Fruit: I used to be a cheese plate purist and nixed adding too many extras, but well placed grapes or slices of apples can really add some much needed color and sweetness to any cheese plate. It’s tasty paired with cheeses, but is also the perfect filler to any bare spaces peaking out behind your favorite cheese and crackers, adding some nice visual appeal for people who care about that sorta thing 😉

4. And Nuts: Adding some nutty flavors to your cheese is a must, but I like adding nuts with a little more flair than your typical almonds or cashews. When making a fancy cheese plate I usually like to add sugared pecans or ones with a chipotle kick to kick things up a notch 🙂  5. Make it pretty, please! I always attempt to make anything related to cooking or hosting pretty, usually with mixed results of success, but I recently found the best cheese plate for hosting from Mark & Graham, one of my favorite stores to buy beautiful home decor, jewelry and accessories. I love that you can pretty much monogram anything from their online store {I’m the first to admit I’ll monogram pretty much anything and everything if given the option}, and I spotted this beautiful copper tray and pitcher on their site a few weeks back and knew they would be perfect for entertaining at my apartment. Obviously, I had to get them both monogrammed too 😉 This tray makes the perfect backdrop for fresh fruits, nuts, cheese and crackers – and I look like a real grown up now too which is always the goal. Believe me, if you want to make an awesome cheese plate, make sure that the actual plate is awesome too! So next time you invite me to a party, definitely count me in for bringing a cheese plate – you really probably don’t want me to cook anything, and at least cheese plates always look pretty 😉 Any other favorite or unexpected goodies you like to add to your cheese plates? I’m always up for getting a little more creative! xx