Cheese Board Ideas with Jason’s Hill Arrois

A good cheese board is all about balance — creamy, salty, sweet, crunchy and fresh. Whether you’re putting together a relaxed afternoon spread or entertaining friends, these combinations will help you create a cheese board that looks beautiful and has something for everyone.

Serves: 6–8 people | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: No cooking required

Ingredients

Cheeses

Choose 3–5 different cheeses with varying textures and flavours:

  • Brie or Camembert – soft, creamy and mild
  • Aged Cheddar – firm, rich and slightly nutty
  • Blue Cheese – bold, creamy and full of flavour
  • Goat’s Cheese – fresh, tangy and creamy
  • Gouda – smooth, slightly sweet and easy to enjoy

Charcuterie

Add 2–3 cured meats for a savoury element:

  • Prosciutto
  • Salami
  • Coppa
  • Biltong, sliced thinly

Fresh Fruit

Fresh fruit adds colour, freshness and natural sweetness:

  • Grapes
  • Fresh figs
  • Pear slices
  • Apple slices
  • Strawberries or seasonal berries
  • Dried Fruit

For an extra touch of sweetness:

  • Dried apricots
  • Dates
  • Figs
  • Raisins or cranberries

Something Sweet

Choose one or two:

  • Honey
  • Fig preserve
  • Grape or berry jam
  • Quince paste

Something Crunchy

Texture is key to a great cheese board:

  • Almonds
  • Walnuts
  • Pecans
  • Pistachios
  • Roasted cashews

Crackers & Bread

Offer a mixture of textures:

  • Plain water crackers
  • Seeded crackers
  • Sourdough slices
  • Fresh baguette
  • Breadsticks

Extras

Finish your board with a few additional touches:

  • Green or Kalamata olives
  • Cornichons
  • Pickled onions
  • Fresh rosemary or thyme
  • A small bowl of honey or preserve

Method

1. Choose your board

Start with a large wooden board, platter or serving tray. Make sure there is enough space for guests to comfortably reach everything.

2. Place the cheeses

Arrange your cheeses around the board, spreading them out rather than keeping them all together. Leave soft cheeses whole and slice or crumble harder cheeses so they are easy to serve.

3. Add the charcuterie

Fold prosciutto into loose ribbons or arrange slices of salami in small groups around the cheeses. This adds height and makes the board feel more generous.

4. Add the fruit

Fill the spaces between the cheeses and meats with fresh and dried fruit. Grapes and berries work particularly well because they can be eaten easily without cutting.

5. Add something sweet

Place small bowls of honey, jam or preserves onto the board. Fig preserve and honey are particularly delicious with creamy and strong cheeses.

6. Add the crunch

Scatter nuts across the board or place them into small bowls. This adds texture and fills any smaller gaps.

7. Arrange the crackers and bread

Place crackers and bread around the edges of the board or in small stacks. Avoid covering the cheeses — the cheeses should remain the stars of the board.

8. Finish with fresh herbs

Add a few sprigs of rosemary or thyme for a simple finishing touch. They add colour and make the board feel abundant and inviting.

Serving Tip

Take the cheeses out of the fridge approximately 30 minutes before serving. Serving cheese closer to room temperature allows its flavours and aromas to develop properly.

For the best experience, offer a mixture of soft, hard, mild and strong cheeses, along with contrasting sweet, salty and crunchy elements.