A thoughtfully arranged cheese plate is so much more than the sum of its parts—it’s a centerpiece with the ability to bring people together. Next time you have people over, just watch as your guests gravitate toward the paper-thin cured meat draped like silk ribbons and golden wedges of aged cheese that promise rich, complex flavors. Maybe it’s the power of eating with your hands—suddenly your simple cocktail party has that effortless magic that makes everyone feel like they’re dining alfresco, even if they’re just crowding around your kitchen island.
The secret to a great cheese plate is not elaborate preparation, but simply choosing exceptional ingredients. Two storied products are a perfect foundation for a sensational cheese plate: Grana Padano PDO cheese and Prosciutto di Parma PDO. These aren’t just any cheese and cured meat—they’re cultural treasures bearing the Protected Designation of Origin seal, the European Union’s guarantee that you’re experiencing authentic products made in their traditional regions using techniques passed down through generations. The PDO system ensures that when you bite into genuine Grana Padano, you’re tasting cheese made from the milk of cows that graze in northern Italy’s Po Valley, aged for at least nine months until it develops its signature granular texture and savory, nutty flavor. Similarly, authentic Prosciutto di Parma comes exclusively from specially bred Italian pigs in the hills around Parma, transformed with nothing but sea salt and time.
Combine those two products and you’re most of the way to a killer cheese plate. But there are a few more considerations to bear in mind.
Start with Your Star Players
An exceptional cheese plate begins with securing authentic Grana Padano and Prosciutto di Parma—and knowing how to spot the real thing. When selecting Grana Padano, look for the distinctive fire-branded mark burned directly into the rind—that’s your guarantee that this wheel has been aged for at least nine months and passed rigorous quality inspections. For pre-packaged wedges, look for the red-and-yellow PDO logo alongside the yellow Grana Padano logo.
For Prosciutto di Parma, a gold Parma Crown logo against a black triangle in the upper left corner of pre-sliced packages is your mark of authenticity, along with that same red-and-yellow PDO logo. When purchasing from the deli counter (or shopping for an entire leg) check for the crown logo branded directly onto the leg.
Plan for 2 to 3 ounces of cheese and 2 to 3 ounces of prosciutto per person for a substantial cheese course, or scale down for appetizer portions.
Choose Your Supporting Cast Wisely
The best supporting ingredients enhance your stars without stealing their spotlight. Fresh fruits provide natural sweetness that beautifully complements both products: Ripe figs echo prosciutto’s subtle sweetness, crisp pears play off Grana Padano’s nutty notes, clusters of grapes offer palate-cleansing acidity. The classic pairing of prosciutto and melon is timeless for a reason.
Add textural interest with a selection of nuts—walnuts bring earthy richness that harmonizes with aged Grana Padano, while almonds provide some satisfying crunch. A small bowl of high-quality honey can serve as a flavor “bridge,” its floral sweetness enhancing the nuttiness in both cheese and cured meat. Fig jam creates magic when paired with prosciutto, the fruit’s concentrated sweetness amplifying the meat’s umami.
Offer a variety of breads and crackers, from delicate water crackers that won’t overwhelm subtle flavors to rustic sourdough that can stand up to generous chunks of Grana Padano.
But while there are endless directions you could take your cheese plate, the ultimate key is restraint—resist the urge to include competing or overpowering flavors.
Master the Art of Arrangement
Once you’ve got your lineup set, you’ve got to figure out how to style it. Choose a board large enough to prevent crowding. (Your ingredients should look abundant, not chaotic. It’s a fine line.) Wood, marble, slate, or glazed ceramic all provide beautiful backdrops.
Start by placing your largest elements first: Position the Grana Padano wedges prominently, then create flowing arrangements of prosciutto nearby. Arrange prosciutto slices in loose, elegant folds or delicate rosettes that showcase the meat’s beautiful marbling. Then, fill in the rest of your plate with smaller components, using small bowls for honey and jams to create height variation and prevent sticky messes. Think about how to build in color contrast, too. For example, golden cheese pops next to dark figs or nuts, but might get lost opposite light-colored Marcona almonds.
Ensure guests can easily access every element without reaching awkwardly. If it’s a particularly large board, that will mean repeating ingredient clusters. Provide appropriate tools at similar spacing: small knives for spreading and individual spoons for condiments. (It’s best if the real heavy lifting, like shaving or cutting Grana Padano, is handled before assembly.)
Temperature is crucial—remove cheese from refrigeration at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to fully develop, but keep the prosciutto cool until just before arranging to maintain its silky texture and prevent any fat from melting.
Perfect Your Pairings
The right beverages will elevate your cheese plate. The natural pairing is, of course, wine: Fruit-forward whites like pinot grigio are a wonderful complement to cheese and meat, while clean, dry prosecco has a wonderful way of cleansing the palate between bites. Red wine is trickier—heavy tannins can crowd out some of the delicacy of your arrangement. But light, bright varieties like dolcetto, perhaps with a slight chill, can perform wonderfully.
Of course, there’s no need to limit yourself to wine: An amaro spritz works well, as do nonalcoholic options like bitter sodas and sparkling mineral water with a twist of lemon.
Seasonal Touches & Special Occasions
Adapt your cheese plate to the rhythm of the seasons. (Melon, for example, is heaven in August, but in February it’s hardly worth eating at all.) Spring calls for fresh berries and early figs, summer brings peak stone fruits like peaches and apricots, while fall and winter showcase crisp apples, pears, and dried fruits. For holiday entertaining, add festive elements—perhaps some roasted chestnuts.
Forget the Rules
The real charm of a cheese plate built around authentic Grana Padano and Prosciutto di Parma is how hard it is to get wrong. Even a quick weeknight version works beautifully: If you’ve got last-minute company, simply arrange smaller portions of the cheese and meat with a handful of grapes or dried fruit and good crackers. It will be an elevated end to an ordinary day for whoever happens to be dropping in.
Head to DistinctlyDeliciouslyEuropean.eu to learn more about Grana Padano PDO and Prosciutto di Parma PDO.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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