Graze Anatomy

The anatomy of a grazing table looks different for everyone. For some, it’s essentially the next generation buffet where guests can nibble on charcuterie and cheese at their leisure. For caterers, grazing tables are an opportunity to think outside the box in terms of display. Regardless of how you may approach grazing tables, it’s an enduring trend that caterers must get on board with sooner rather than later.

Fall grazing station | The JDK Group | Photo courtesy Mark Buckwalter Photography

All things grazing (both boards and tables) have hit an alltime high over the past several years—whether its charcuterie, bread boards, fruit and vegetables displays, or even dessert boards—guests are still loving the opportunity to sample and create their own plates.

While charcuterie and cheese displays continue to be the popular kids on the block, the display itself has started to get elevated through such ideas as stacking wheels of cheese to mirror a wedding cake, or hand-pulling mozzarella live onsite before being placed on the display.

Charcuterie forks | Elegant Affairs Weddings and Events | Photo courtesy Elegant Affairs Weddings and Events

Other grazing table iterations are also gaining momentum. Burrata boards are trending, as are hummus or polenta boards. Seafood displays continue to be popular, but a new take on this trend is popping up in the form of caviar displays. Bread boards entered 2023 on a high note, and now this trend is expanding to include all different types of bread-centric items (think crostini or focaccia boards). Brunch boards were trending in 2022, and now this concept has expanded to include waffle boards and even fruit and yogurt boards.

Beyond getting creative with what to put on your boards, there’s also plenty of opportunity to get creative with how to serve. Rather than a traditional board, consider unique platters such as surfboards, clipboards, skateboards, car panels, or wood pallets. Package them individually with cones, jars, or on forks. Display them on a charcuterie wall for more impact. You can even bring them to guests through the use of hawker trays.

Salad table | Rosemary’s Catering | Photo courtesy Rosemary’s Catering

“It’s all about abundance, it’s all about choice, it’s all about that amazing display,” said Michael Stavros (M Culinary Concepts) during his session, Caterers, Assemble! - Tantalizing Trends, Captivating Concepts, Inspired Interactivity, at this year’s Catersource + The Special Event (held this past March in Orlando, FL). “You can’t just rely on the attraction of the food itself anymore.”

Charcuterie hawker tray | Catersource + The Special Event 2023 (Caterers, Assemble! - Tantalizing Trends, Captivating Concepts, Inspired Interactivity) | Photo courtesy M Culinary Concepts

Country Harvest | Bonura Hospitality Group (Catersource + The Special Event 2021) | Photo courtesy WTA Photos via SpotMyPhotos

Mediterranean grazing station | The JDK Group | Photo courtesy Courtney Dueppenglesser

A flight of different aged prosciuttos | Di Bruno Bros | Photo courtesy Prosciutto di Parma

Crostini station | Catersource + The Special Event 2023 (Caterers, Assemble! - Tantalizing Trends, Captivating Concepts, Inspired Interactivity) | Photo courtesy M Culinary Concepts

Connect Live grazing table | Catersource + The Special Event 2022 | Photo courtesy WASIO Faces

Grazing display | Alaska Coastal Catering | Photo courtesy Alaska Coastal Catering

Grazing display | Alaska Coastal Catering | Photo courtesy Alaska Coastal Catering

Grazing display | Alaska Coastal Catering | Photo courtesy Alaska Coastal Catering

Grazing display | Alaska Coastal Catering | Photo courtesy Alaska Coastal Catering

Grazing display | Alaska Coastal Catering | Photo courtesy Alaska Coastal Catering

Grazing display | Alaska Coastal Catering | Photo courtesy Alaska Coastal Catering

Grazing display | Alaska Coastal Catering | Photo courtesy Alaska Coastal Catering

Grazing display | Alaska Coastal Catering | Photo courtesy Alaska Coastal Catering

Grazing table | Beyond the Box Catering | Photo courtesy Scott Aleman Photography

24-foot charcuterie table | Peace Arch Hospital Foundation | Photo courtesy Brian Dennehy

Grazing table | THYME & HONEY | Photo courtesy John F. Martin Photography, Inc.

Charcuterie table | Primal Alchemy for Catersource + The Special Event 2022 (How to Create Grazing Boards That Will Dazzle Your Clients & Their Guests!) | Photo courtesy WASIO Faces

Grazing table | Brancato’s Catering | Photo courtesy Brancato’s Catering

Grazing table | Brancato’s Catering | Photo courtesy Brancato’s Catering

Prosciutto + Burrata Table (prosciutto, burrata, onion jam, tomato jam, caramelized pear, arugula, balsamic, extra virgin olive oil, house made focaccia, grilled ciabatta, and grissini) | Colette’s Catering & Events | Photo courtesy Colette’s Catering & Events

Cheese table | Assaggiare Mendocino for Catersource + The Special Event 2022 (How to Create Grazing Boards That Will Dazzle Your Clients & Their Guests!) | Photo courtesy WASIO Faces

Grazing table | Forest Lodge Catering | Photo courtesy Forest Lodge Catering

Macarons display | 24 Carrots Catering and Events | Photo courtesy Jackie Culmer

Charcuterie table | Red Table Catering | Photo courtesy Red Table Catering

Fruit and cheese display (Danish blue, sharp cheddar, pepper jack, sage derby, Manchego, Red Windsor, brie, sweet grapes, berries, dried fruits, nuts, crackers, and lavosh) | Beyond the Box Catering | Photo courtesy Rachel Elaine Photography

Indian-inspired grazing display | District Events & Catering | Photo courtesy Enmuse Photography

Indian-inspired grazing display | District Events & Catering | Photo courtesy Enmuse Photography

Indian-inspired grazing display | District Events & Catering | Photo courtesy Enmuse Photography

Sushi boats | Metz Culinary Management | Photo courtesy Metz Culinary Management

A charcuterie board hung from a swing | Above All Catering  | Photo courtesy Above All Catering 

Cheese display | Beyond the Box Catering | Photo courtesy Cheri Callaway Photography 

Charcuterie clipboards | Design Cuisine  | Photo courtesy Design Cuisine 

Grazing table | Metz Culinary Management  | Photo courtesy Metz Culinary Management 

Cheese & Charcuterie display (12-month aged Manchego, Délice de Bourgogne, Parmesan Reggiano, Soppressata, prosciutto, nuts, artisan breads, crackers, dried fruits, and pickled vegetables) | Plum Market Catering | Photo courtesy Plum Market Catering 

Polenta table | Sugar Beach Events (Catersource + The Special Event 2022) | Photo courtesy WASIO Faces 

Sangeet grazing table | District Events & Catering | Photo courtesy Lin and Jirsa Photography 

Sangeet grazing table | District Events & Catering | Photo courtesy Lin and Jirsa Photography 

Six-foot skeleton charcuterie board | Elias Events  | Photo courtesy Morris Malakoff Photography 

Sushi display | Detroit Athletic Club | Photo courtesy DAC Photography