How to create a grazing table that's absolutely delicious

From decorations to nibbles, here's what you need to craft the perfect grazing table.

If you want your next corporate event or party to look inviting and impressive, a grazing table or lush grazing boxes and platters might be the answer! Simple, effective and most importantly, delicious!

First, you'll need to start with the four grazing table essentials

Grazing tables are about so much more than just the food. You'll need to create the perfect setting too! Here's how to do it.

1. Choose a theme

Yes, you read that right! Decide what sort of table you'd like and consider the occasion.

For example, a Christmas lunch grazing table can include Christmas themed foods, plus red, green and gold table decorations, plants, herbs and props.

If you're trying to create a rustic, Mediterranean grazing table, choose foods, serving pieces, decorative serving platters, utensils, decorations and props that fit with your theme.

There's no limit to the number of options here! You can easily create grazing tables depending on your theme or corporate event.

2. Have ample crockery and don't just rely on large boards

Invest in an assortment of boards, decorative serving platters, cake stands, tiered stands and cake domes to add height to your grazing table.

Consider stocking up on neutral coloured plates, bowls, serving trays, platters and boards, which will work well for any theme for future grazing boards. Don't forget to provide enough serving utensils on the table.

3. Include fresh flowers and greenery

Greenery, and herbs will add texture and visual interest to your grazing table. Plus, make it look good enough to eat!

4. Last, but certainly not least, the food, glorious food

Use on-theme fresh, seasonal, local produce and ensure your grazing table has a balance of ingredients, colours and textures.

Combine seasonal fruits, artisan cheese wheels, fresh veggies, baskets of assorted bread rolls, platters of cured meats like prosciutto and salamis, char-grilled veggies and more.

Our grazing table food checklist

• Cured meats: Prosciutto, salami, ham etc.
• Soft and hard cheeses: Brie, blue, manchego, etc.
• Fresh and dried fruits: Berries, grapes, sultanas, figs, etc.
• Crackers and fresh breads: Baguettes, bread sticks, wafers, etc.
• Dips and spreads: Hummus, pesto, quince paste, etc.
• Olives and pickles
• Sweet treats: Chocolate, mini pastries, tarts etc.

How to put your grazing table together

There are no hard and fast rules when creating your grazing table, but below are some tips to consider.

1. Get the right sized table or grazing surface

You'll want a table that makes the food looks plentiful, is accessible and there's still room to scatter around some decorations (like flowers).

Make sure your table isn't too small or too big. If your table is too small, your guests won't be able to easily access the food.

If your table is too large, your feast will look really small. You want your grazing table to wow, not look sad.

2. Create height

Height will add a three dimensional feel to your table and make it more visually appealing.

Get creative with cake stands, boxes, wooden boards, metal baskets, crates and tiered stands to create different heights to display your food.

You can even stack wheels of cheese to look like a cake, and garnish honeycomb, figs and herbs. Who could resist a slice of that?

3. Prepare the star of the show — the food

The food you choose should suit your theme and event. Whether it's a breakfast grazing table menu, Halloween themed afternoon tea, or Melbourne Cup lunch, the choices are endless.

Don't include any food that's too big or messy to eat. You'll want everything to be bite size snacks, rather than anything that requires knives and forks or plenty of napkins.

When you're arranging the food, put a little bit of each item here and there. It will add some colour across the board and create interest.

Don't forget to label each element. Use mini blackboards, slates or flags to let guests know what they are eating.

Check out our short video below to find out how to create your own grazing platter that will impress everyone at home or at the office!

Love the idea, but just want somebody else to do the work?

We get it! You've already put in long days at work and going to the shops and spending the time creating the grazing table may not fit into your schedule.

This is where can help. Check out these grazing table catering options:

Sydney:

• Chomp Life Catering

Melbourne:

• Kitchen Table Caterers
• The Healthy Platter Co

Brisbane:

• Say Cheese

Adelaide:

• Caterers of Adelaide
• South Terrace Catering

Perth:

• Grazing Girls Perth
• Cosmic Coffee and Catering

Canberra:

• Top Gun Catering

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What exactly is a grazing table?

Like the name suggests, it's a table for grazing! It's like a buffet, but not usually intended to be served as a full meal.

It's been designed to make it visually appealing and easy for guests to pick and nibble at food. It's usually a table, but it can even be a large platter, wooden board, counter or just any large and flat surface.

Food items aren't always contained on plates or bowls, but arranged artfully in piles that spill, overlap and intertwine into each other, so it doesn't just taste delicious, it looks delicious. The key thing to remember here is: organised chaos.

It works well for a wide variety of corporate events, guests, themes and budgets and is always sure to impress.

What's the difference between a grazing table and a buffet?

You won't see a chafing dish anywhere on a grazing table! It's usually packed full of finger food, making it easy for guests to mingle and nibble at the same time. The food should also keep well at room temperature.

Cheese plates, seasonal fruit and charcuterie boards are common foods found on grazing tables, but depending on your budget and theme, you can have any type of food you want.

Breads, dips, bread sticks, crackers, raw veggies, condiments, bite-sized finger sandwiches, sweet treats, pretzels, fresh and dried fruit, nuts, olives....whew! The choices are endless here.

Why should you pick a grazing table over something else?

• Low maintenance to set up
• You can spend more time with your guests instead of worrying about topping up a chafing dish
• Provides an all-round eating experience
• Gives your guests the opportunity to taste a bit of everything
• Allows you to be creative and innovative with your grazing table

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