Throw a Cheese Tasting Party

by Chef Danielle Turner

Got cheese? A cheese tasting is an easy way to entertain.

Whether your cheese repertoire is limited to American and Swiss, or you’re well versed in the ways of rennet and whey, planning a cheese tasting is a fun way to share your fondness for fromage with friends. Simple to set up, casual by nature and a sophisticated alternative to chips and dip, cheese tastings are an excellent foray into the world of entertaining. They’re also a great opportunity to introduce new flavors and textures to your palate. With a little planning and some research, you can pull together a stylish gathering with no strings, no cubes and definitely no individually wrapped slices.

Quantity Counts Twice

The size of your party will greatly affect the amount of effort and planning you’ll have to undertake. One of the goals of a cheese tasting is to spark conversation, so it’s best to keep things relatively small. A group of six to ten guests is optimal, but you should ultimately invite as many guests as you’re comfortable with.

Once you’ve decided on the size of your party, the next step is determining how many cheeses you’ll taste. Four to six cheeses is a good starting point — any more than that and you’ll risk overloading your palate. Perhaps the trickiest part of planning a cheese tasting is determining how much cheese is enough. Generally, if the cheese is the evening’s main event, plan on purchasing two to three ounces of each cheese per guest, or a little less if your tasting will precede a meal.

Don’t forget to take your guests’ eating habits into consideration. If your friends are known for their voracious appetites, you’ll be wise to purchase a larger per person serving.

Mix It Up

When choosing your cheeses, variety is key. Cheeses are generally made from three types of milk: cow, goat and sheep. Consider selecting one or two of each or try a few cheeses from a specific country or region. Include a variety of textures as well, from soft and semi-hard to hard. One word of caution: Be sure to select cheeses with flavors ranging from mild to strong so your guests can experience an array of flavors.

Cheese lovers everywhere will tell you that cheese is best served at room temperature. Temperatures that are too high or low can have a negative effect on the cheese’s taste. Remove your cheese purchases from the refrigerator, unwrap and plate them at least an hour before you plan to serve them.

Buffet or Plated?

Much like a dinner party, you have two basic options for presenting your cheese to your guests — buffet or plated. Creating a buffet will involve arranging your cheeses on a platter for guests to serve themselves. If you choose this option, make sure to have the appropriate utensils easily accessible to help guests cut and slice.

If you’d prefer to plate, cut a small piece of each cheese and arrange them on a plate large enough to hold your selections. You can assemble the plates early, cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate — just remember to take them out one hour ahead of time. Whichever service option you choose, arrange the cheeses so guests will start with the milder cheeses and work their way up to more flavorful or pungent options. Eating the stronger cheeses first will mask the taste of the mellower cheeses.

Accompaniments and Notes

Purists may argue that cheese should be tasted alone in order to fully appreciate its flavor, but your guests may appreciate the option of enjoying their cheese with accompaniments like nuts, sliced fruit or thinly sliced bread. Also, setting out either a pitcher of water or a platter of water crackers will help your guests cleanse their palates regularly.

Another smart touch is to print comment sheets that include the names of each cheese for your guests, in case anyone wants to track down one of the evening’s cheeses for themselves.

A cheese tasting can be an easy event to organize if you know something about cheese to start with. If not, don’t worry. Visit your local cheese shop and ask for suggestions on what to serve and even beverage pairing recommendations. They’ll be happy to help you introduce cheese to potential new customers.