The cheeseboard remains one of the best tricks in the home-entertaining arsenal. Now with summer temperatures dancing on the edge of the unbearable, less time spent in the kitchen is even more appealing. It makes even more sense then to perfect the skill of assembling cheese, meats and accompaniments in ways that are equally delicious and stunning to look at.

The cheeses

Always think of variety in selecting cheeses for your board. A combination of three to four different cheeses in varying textures — hard, soft and semi-soft — is best.

For our board, we chose sharp cheddar, smoked Gouda and blue Brie and Pepper Jack. You could also use Parmigiano-Reggiano, Feta and Swiss. Also, look for cheeses that have an added element like Stilton with blueberries or goat cheese with cranberries. Make the board interesting by cutting some of the cheeses in squares, while leaving others for guests to slice themselves. You will need about one ounce of cheese per person if you’re serving this as an appetiser, while, if this is the star of the show, consider two ounces per person.

Pro tip: Cheese is best at room temperature, so pull your cheeses from the refrigerator an hour before serving.

Flavours then become more discernable, and the cheese softens, opening the door, as it were, for the fat-soluble flavour to embrace the taste buds.

Another reason why cheese is best at room temperature is that the aromas thrive in warmth so you will have the double pleasure of both smelling and tasting your cheese.

The meats

A combination of cooked meats and cold cuts will add taste and visual variety. We used Hamilton’s Smokehouse Smoked Sausage, Jerk Sausage and Smoked Chicken Breast. Grill the sausages and slice diagonally. Roll the chicken breast slices to make for easy handling by your guests.

The accompaniments

Incorporate a selection of crackers, crusty slices of bread, as well as fruit such as grapes, apples and pears. For layers of flavour add the salty zest of marinated olives, peppers and artichokes. The additional texture will come from nuts and round out with jams, pepper jellies or even honey.

One more thing…

An unforced error made by many hosts while entertaining is setting and forgetting. Keep an eye on the cheese board as your guests work through its deliciousness, and replenish as needed.