Try these top tips from The School of Everything to make a gorgeous grazing table or food platter groaning with abundance. It’s easy to lift your game here and create something really special with just a few little tricks.
Top Tips for Grazing Tables and Food Platters
It’s such an easy way to entertain. However, even for a grazing table dining veteran like me, getting the balance and ingredients right can be challenging. Enter The School of Everything, Brisbane’s first ‘masterclass mecca’, in New Farm’s James Street.
The School of Everything is a one-stop shop for masterclasses across many stylish subjects. The brainchild of best friends Jen Campbell Case and Belinda Smetioukh, the School has a diverse, high-quality course list led by some of Brisbane’s best chefs, stylists, hairdressers, makeup artists, event organisers, milliners, and florists. Use the discount code at the end of this post when you book and save 20 per cent!
“We love learning new things to bring creativity, style and fun into our lives, and workshops are such a wonderful way to achieve that, but they can be hit and miss,” Belinda said. Jen said they also offer private masterclass events, perfect for bridal and baby showers, mum’s lunches, team events, and girls’ days out. Next on the class list are Easter Wreaths, Beachy Waves, The Art of Aperitivo, Gift Wrapping, Hand-tied Bouquets, Racing Season Headwear, and more.
Gorgeous Grazing Tables and Food Platters
The Gorgeous Grazing Tables class starts with a glass of bubbles on arrival and a long table filled with food. Everyone makes their own take-home grazing box, which you can enjoy when you get a drink later!
Establish your base layer
Start by thinking about where to place the grazing table. It can be on a kitchen bench, a single-serve box, a free-standing island or straight onto food-grade paper. Then, theme it further with matching serviettes, floral arrangements and decorative backgrounds.
Platters or paper?
Gather all your platters and start placing them on the grazing table surface to fill them with food. Alternatively, Jen and Belinda found Jumbuck food-grade paper in a delicious terracotta shade by the roll at Bunnings – 60 metres for just $9.99. This eliminates the need for multiple platters and gives a cohesive look to your spread.
You can also use leaves like monstera or palm fronds underneath if you want a tropical look.
Pinterest inspo
Belinda and Jen love to scour Pinterest for food and design inspiration and save the images for reference.
How much food?
Is this entrée, main and dessert, breakfast or dinner, or just sweets? What kind of meal you are offering will determine what you include in the mix.
Dietary needs
Do check that all your guest’s dietary needs are covered. Sometimes this can be a challenge but just ask them for suggestions.
How much food for your grazing table or food platter?
People eat around five portions an hour, per hour. Increase this if there are male guests and alcohol involved. If you have invited children, make them their own plates or a separate grazing table with child-friendly food. Jen and Belinda say there’s nothing wrong with buying your ingredients from Aldi!
Hero your hero
Give your hero item, it could be a ham or birthday cake, a prominent position with plenty of room around it. Space out your cheeses to avoid traffic jams
Add containers
Use ramekins, jars, pots and bowls to include pastes, dips, olives, jams, honey and antipasti around the table. This adds height interest and keeps messy things contained.
Height matters
Scrunch it, pile it, layer it and fold the sliced meats. Create different heights with cake stands and use upturned bowls to lift things off the base.
Have fun
Mix it up with texture, colour and size to delight and surprise the eye. Think about what goes with what – basil leaves with tomatoes or honey with cheeses. You can include fruit, nuts, vegetables, pickles and more.
Abundance is key
More and more, there’s never too much – minimalism is not your friend.
Sweet treats too
There’s no rule that says grazing tables and food platters have to be savoury. Adding some sweet treats will delight many, so pop in a few meringue and marshmallows, chocolates and pastries.
Decorative touches
Make it pretty. Use herbs, flowers and foliage to add a delightful decorative touch to your table. Not everything has to be edible.
More masterclasses
Follow these expert tips from The School of Everything, and you will be surprised how easy it is to create a gorgeous grazing table. Do give it a go! There’s so much more to discover at The School of Everything, so check out their class list.
Disclaimer: Eat drink and be Kerry was a guest of The School of Everything
