Entertaining With Cheese for the Holidays – Cheese Grotto

Whatever you’re planning for the holidays, we hope you’re celebrating with high-quality American artisan cheese. As you shop for the cheese fans on your list, be sure to check out our 2022 Gift Guide! It’s got everything you need to make their holidays merry and bright, from handmade cheese boards and heirloom storage pieces to cheese subscriptions and gift boxes. Happy holidays!

Contents:

1. Holiday Cheese Boards
2. Cheese and Food Pairings
3. Cheese and Beverage Pairings
4. Fondue and Raclette Recipes
5. Holiday Cheese Recipes

As soon as the Thanksgiving leftovers are stashed away, we’re dreaming up our holiday menus and brainstorming which cheeses to serve as we gather with friends and family. Cheese is such a special part of this time of year—and best of all, it can make hosting easy and even more fun.

To help you make the most of the most wonderful time of the year, we’ve rounded up our time-tested tips, recipes, and how-tos around holiday entertaining. Here’s your guide to celebrating the holidays with Cheese Grotto, from choosing the perfect wine pairing to prepping cheese boards in advance to whipping up a perfect cheese ball or raclette feast.

Build a Festive Holiday Cheese Board

Photo by @theboardloon

Creating a beautiful, bountiful cheese board is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to impress and delight your guests. Source award-winning American artisan cheeses and craft accompaniments from our cheese shop, then use our step-by-step guide and the explainers below to create and serve an incredible spread. 

Want to make the process even easier? Our Cheeseboard in a Box includes all the goodies you need to feed 4 people—and the option to add a handsome bamboo board on which to serve it. Just add a couple of our Hand-Carved Bamboo Cheese Knives and you’re good to go! It makes a great gift, too.

If you’re looking to take your presentation to the next level, consider incorporating your Cheese Grotto into your tablescape! Here’s how it’s done. In addition to being a great way to store cheese, a Grotto full of tasty cheese looks incredible at the table—and it’s a great conversation starter!

Serve the Perfect Holiday Cheeses and Accompaniments

Photo by @theboardloon

Once you’ve planned the guest list and sketched out a menu, it’s time to source your cheese and figure out some delicious pairings. Our online store is your source for seasonal, sought-after cheeses like Rush Creek Reserve, savory charcuterie, puckery pickles, and more. We’ve got everything but the wine to help you build the perfect party spread.

Want a box of holiday pairings curated by us? Our December Monthly Subscription Box does the work for you with three seasonal cheeses and pairings that bring out the best of holiday flavors sweet and savory. Order by December 15 to receive your box Christmas week.

Consult Our Guides to Pairing Cheese and Beverages

Not sure where to start when it comes to the drinks? Use our expert guidance to choose the ideal beverage pairings for your holiday cheeses.

Wine and Cheese Pairing Guides

Picking the perfect bottle is easy when you know what to look for. Consult our wine and cheese pairing tips before you hit the bottle shop.

Beer and Cheese Pairing Guides

Prefer to serve your cheese with beer? Create the perfect mix-a-six for a holiday tasting with our guide.

Cheese and Spirits Pairing Guides

Yes, you can pair all kinds of cheese with cocktails and spirits! Bonus tip: Batch cocktails in advance for stress-free hosting.

Nonalcoholic Cheese Pairings

Hosting a sober holiday party? You and your guests can still have fun and explore delicious cheese pairings, whether you’re mixing up mocktails or exploring other nonalcoholic bevvies.

How Much Cheese Should You Serve Per Person?

Serving a crowd? Simply add to your order in our online store. Plan on 3-4 ounces of cheese per person as an appetizer, or 6-8 ounces if cheese is the main event—plus lots of delicious accompaniments, of course.

Warm Up With Fondue and Raclette Recipes

Instead of—or in addition to—a cheese board, consider serving a traditional Alpine melted cheese dish like raclette or fondue at your next gathering. These recipes also make an extra special Christmas Eve, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve dinner at home.

Pick up some Reading Raclette or Pleasant Ridge Reserve from our online store, get your gear together, and turn up the heat!

Plan a Holiday Feast With Cheese-Centric Recipes

As much as we love the ease of a cheese board, cooking for family and friends is one of the best things about the holidays. We’ve curated a slate of recipes that incorporate cheese, from lazy brunch and tasty appetizers to stunning entrees and luscious desserts.

Baked Brie Recipes

It’s the perfect time of year to serve lush, oozy baked brie! We’ve got two recipes for you to choose from, one using tender pie crust and another with flaky puff pastry. Try them with Bloomy Breeze from Firefly Farms or Marin French Cheese’s Petite Camembert.

Which artisan cheeses are you serving for the holidays this year? Tag us @cheesegrotto on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and let us know!