I was recently selected by Cheeselandia to host a Cheeselandia House Party. What does that mean exactly? Well, they sent me 5 types of cheese along with some goodies to share with my friends. This weekend I was finally able to host some of my favorite people and shower them with some cheesy goodness (and a glass or two of wine).
Hosting a cheese party can be a fun and delicious way to entertain your guests. Here are five tips to help you plan a successful cheese party:
Variety is key: Offer a variety of cheese types and textures such as soft, hard, aged, and fresh. Include cheese from different regions, countries, and milk types (cow, goat, sheep). Aim for at least 3-5 different types of cheese.
The cheese for this party was sponsored by Saputo® Cheese which provided 7 different types of cheese. Talk about a variety! It was a great selection for a group when you aren’t sure what kinds of cheese people prefer. There was definitely something for everyone!
Provide accompaniments: Along with the cheese, provide a variety of accompaniments such as crackers, bread, fruit, nuts, and charcuterie. This will allow your guests to create their own cheese plates and experiment with different flavor combinations. I always like to add something sweet to the options – wine, cheese, and chocolate are the perfect combo in my mind.
Presentation: Display the cheese and accompaniments in an attractive way such as on a wooden board, platter, or slate. Label each cheese and provide a brief description of its flavor profile, origin, and milk type. I lucked out that the fine folks from Cheeselandia sent little tent cards with a bit about each of the cheeses they sent and what paired well with them. This is particularly helpful so that you don’t have to spend the whole time reminding people what the cheeses are.
Serve at room temperature: Did you know that cheese tastes best at room temperature? So make sure to take the cheese out of the fridge at least an hour before the party. This will allow the cheese to come to room temperature and fully develop its flavor.
I tend to forget about this one, but I was reminded about it Saturday night when one of my friends actually mentioned how much better one of the cheeses tasted after it had been sitting out for a bit. So don’t forget this one!
Pair with wine: Offer a variety of wines that pair well with cheese. White wine pairs well with soft cheese while red wine pairs well with hard cheese. You can also offer beer or cider as an alternative.
My friends brought over a variety of beer and wine to share, so we really did have something for everyone. If you are in charge of providing the drinks, also make sure to have some non-alcoholic options on hand for those who may not enjoy wine and beer.
So there ya have it, 5 tips to help make your next cheese party a success! I’m already looking forward to hosting my next one.
*Disclosure: Cheeselandia & Saputo provided me with cheese and goodies for this party. As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
Wow!!! What a great idea! I think I will host a cheese party. This sounds fun and tastey!