Creating the perfect grazing table

Have you ever wondered how to create the perfect grazing table? There’s something about grazing tables that makes them hard not to love. With all those colours and textures, it’s a feast for your eyes as much as your mouth! 

We recently celebrated my 30th birthday with a small get-together at home, and a grazing table was a must. Due to COVID restrictions, planning had to be done quite last minute. But, I was thrilled to find out that I could have up to 15 people over (yay!).

I had intended to hire someone to manage catering and make things easier – and make it a little special. Given that we weren’t forking out for venue hire, we were happy to spend a bit more. 

After so much time apart, I really just wanted to be able to spend the time having fun with our friends rather than worrying about food. Does anyone else feel like time just flies whenever you’re hosting your own event?!

After a lot of back and forth with the caterer, it was becoming way too complicated so we decided to give it a go ourselves. Realistically, I didn’t see it taking up too much time, and I knew there would be no shortage of people happy to help out if we needed it…

So, we made the call and we’re so glad we did! We decided to create a big grazing table as the main event, with a few little extras ready for later in the night. While I’ve made my fair share of cheese and charcuterie boards, it was my first time attempting something to this scale, but honestly? I think we nailed it!

Overall, we probably spent around half of what hiring a caterer would have cost. And, it was actually a lot of fun to put together. Most importantly, our guests loved it, and it was a really fun (and delicious) night. 

If you’re thinking about creating something similar, read on for our tips for creating the perfect graze table!

Plan plan plan

As with all things, planning pays off. In the week leading up to the party, I browsed grazing tables on Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration for different types of food and ideas on how to fit it all together. Think about the type of grazing table you want. Sweet, savoury or a combination of both – there are no rules! 

It’s also a good idea to consider the space and how your event will flow. Initially, I had planned to have a long grazing table off to the side using wooden platter trays of different shapes and sizes. 

However, once I laid them all out during a test run, something about it just didn’t feel right. It seemed like using the trays would mean there would be less space, and like we would lose the impact of a big, bountiful grazing table.

So, I decided to make this the cocktail table, and use our large outdoor dining table as the main grazing table feature. Given it was a smaller group, and that we would most likely spend time around the table, this made it easy for us to chat and graze the night away.

Shop smart

Before you start shopping, make a list of everything you want to fill your table with. The more specific, the better! If you are including fruits and vegetables, thinking about what’s in season could also save you some cash.

You might want to make a few different stops, or visit your local farmers market for nice cheeses and things you may not be able to find at your local supermarket. 

If your guests have dietary requirements, it’s a good idea to keep this in mind while you’re shopping as well. Some of our friends are vegan and some have different food sensitivities. So, we wanted to make sure that there were options that everyone could enjoy.

We actually made a separate 100% vegan board for our friends to enjoy without having to worry about any cross-contamination. With so many great vegan/gluten-free options available now it was super easy to put together. 

I was fairly confident I knew all my friends’ dietary requirements, but it can be a good idea to hold on to the packaging of certain foods so that they can check the ingredients list first. And, if you’re ever in doubt – just ask!

Prep early

Preparing your ingredients ahead of time can be a great way to take the hassle out of creating your grazing table. How much effort this will involve will depend on the kind of food you are choosing to include. 

For me, this was quite simple – and I only really needed to chop vegetables like celery, carrot and cucumber. The rest of the ingredients are used were store-bought, but if you are choosing to make your own things like dips, you can do this earlier to save time.

When it comes to putting together the grazing table, timing is important. Ideally, you don’t want to put it together too early, as you want the food to be lovely and fresh when your guests arrive. 

Try to allow yourself up to 45 minutes to put everything together. You probably won’t need this much time, but this will also allow an extra few minutes to step back and admire your handiwork. Don’t forget to snap a pic!

Styling

And now for the fun part – styling! Firstly, consider what you want to use for the base of your grazing table. You might choose to use trays or wooden platters, or you might like to have everything all out on the table like I did.

While looking on Pinterest, I saw lots of images of brown craft paper being used as the base for grazing tables, but I was worried that the paper might disintegrate. 

I purchased a roll of Kmart craft paper which has a great waxy texture making it perfect to use under food. This also meant that I didn’t need to worry about any oils seeping through. (As an added bonus, I plan to use the rest of the craft paper as neutral-style Christmas wrapping.)

Once you have the base sorted, start with the larger items such as cheeses and work around them. For dips or particularly oily food like sun-dried tomatoes and olives, swap these from plastic containers into smaller canisters or bowls.

Try to space different foods out evenly and get creative. Be conscious of all the different colours and consider layering different items for added height. You may even want to add some fresh flowers or foliage from the garden for extra impact. Add in your cheese knives and side plates for your guests – and you’re almost done!

Don’t forget the refreshments 

Of course, what’s a beautiful grazing table without the refreshments? While I’d normally reach for a bottle of pinot noir, I wanted something a special but simple. So, we purchased some Mister Consistent Cocktail Mixers.

We tried the Margarita and Cosmo mixers as well as their beautiful Gold Leaf Floral Garnishes – and I have to say, they were a hit! Aside from being absolutely delicious, they’re super easy to serve non-alcoholic, which makes them perfect for guests who don’t drink.

To mix, simply add spirits (or water) and ice to a cocktail shaker and you’re good to go!

With the festive season in full swing and calendars packed with social catch-ups and family get-togethers, a beautiful grazing table is a guaranteed way to keep your guests happy.

I hope these tips help you plan for your next graze. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot us a message or drop a comment in the box below!