Wooden Charcuterie Board

A wooden charcuterie board in two sizes, for the times when food is the centrepiece rather than the accompaniment. The medium suits four or five people grazing before dinner; the large covers a table of eight or fills the middle of a kitchen island at a party.

A board works better than a platter for this because it gives you edges to work against — a wedge of hard cheese to lean a knife on, a line of cured meat laid along the grain, crackers piled in a corner. The surface is part of the arrangement rather than something you cover up.

Why you'll love it

• Two useful sizes — medium for a few people, large for a table.
• Part of the look — wood grain shows through the arrangement.
• Sturdy enough to carry loaded — move it from counter to table in one go.
• Doubles as a trivet — takes a hot dish without marking.

Details

• Material: wood
• Sizes: M, L
• Care: hand wash, dry upright, oil occasionally
• Ideal for: cheese, charcuterie, grazing tables, entertaining

Bring cheese out of the fridge an hour before serving — cold cheese tastes of very little, however good the board looks.