ENTERTAINING BOARDS ARE ALL THE RAGE!

from Spotlight on the Hamptons / Memorial Day 2023

YOUR HAMPTONS HOROSCOPE FOR JUNE

Boards are Instagram-worthy and perfectly delicious. They’re also the hottest trend of the season! Here’s everything you need to know about starting off your summer parties with a platter that’s sure to please.

BY STEPHANIE NASS

Nothing says “welcome” like a platter of little bites! If you’re hosting summer guests for any kind of rendezvous, have a board of easy-to-eat finger food ready, and make it gorgeous. While you can purchase cheese boards from Cavaniola’s (in Sag Harbor) and Citarella (in Southampton, Bridgehampton and East Hampton), these grazing boards are blank canvases of creativity. Putting together a food board is a lovely opportunity to put some of your heart into your gathering. You can make boards dedicated to fruits, vegetables, cheese, seafood, sweets, or a combination of these items. Heading into the steamy season, a fruit or vegetable board doesn’t require firing up the oven—and it’s also nutritious. Seafood towers are a little fancier. The ubiquitous butter boards are a new sensation on social media, and candy boards can be fun for kids. But a cheese board is an eternal classic.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR PUTTING TOGETHER BOARDS AT HOME:

b Taste the Rainbow Make your board pop with tons of varied colors or stick to one consistent color palette.

b Slice Neatly When preparing produce or cheese, cut each item uniformly in size and shape. This will contribute to the presentation but also make it easier for guests to consume.

For added intrigue, you can also cut vegetables into flower shapes; it’s relatively easy to carve “petals” into radishes and strawberries.

b Fill It Up Leave minimal empty space on the serving vessel, so it looks full and generous.

b Jazz It Up Include unexpected elements on your cheese board, like pieces of halvah or our new trompe l’oeil chocolate “martini olive” almonds. Decorate with fresh flowers in vases or edible flowers on top.

b Be Inclusive Make sure there’s something for every dietary restriction with glutenfree, vegan, nut-free and kosher options.

b Tableware Have cocktail napkins and small plates beside the food, so guests can enjoy comfortably. T

CHEFANIE

Blue scalloped cocktail napkins (set of 4), $48, chefanie.com