• All mentioned ingredients are examples and ideas. Don't serve it all at once! Select just a few to showcase a variety of different textures and flavors. Use a good selection of sweet and savory items along with more mild and strong flavors to provide a balanced selection of items. If serving vegan wine, choose only 1, max. 2, that pair well with the chosen foods.

How much food to buy and serve?

• To start, select your board size. Your board should allow for roughly 85g / 3 oz of vegan meat and cheese per person, if it's served as an appetizer. Double the serving size to 170g / 6 ounces per person, if the board is meant to be a main course.

Preparing the Charcuterie Board

• Grill, marinate or fry any vegetables in advance if desired. Prepare homemade dips & spreads a day in advance. Slice vegetables cold and on the same day as serving.

Assembling your Board

• Start by placing smaller trays or containers in opposite corners on the board. Fill with crackers, bread, olives, or dips (Basically separate anything in containers with liquid, such as olives or fruit spreads don't leak onto the other items). If you are serving a big loaf of bread, place onto the side of the board for people to cut. I also like to put out small plates and silver ware for everyone to easily grab.
• Arrange the vegan cheeses around the empty spaces on the board so they are spread out and not all in one place. Add cheese knives and small spoons or knives to dips, olives, and so on. Cutting into the cheese with a cheese knife (or sticking it into the cheese) beforehand makes the board seem more approachable. It will help your guests not to feel hesitant to cut into any cheeses. Add sliced vegetables and fruit of choice next and around the cheese.

  Fold the slices of vegan meat into quarters or into small bunches and tuck them between cheese, dips and trays. Fill in any remaining spaces left with things from the Antipasti section (like grapes, vegetables, fruit, nuts and so on).
• Once everything has been placed on the tray, adjustments can be made to make sure there are no empty spaces left, and that all of the items are easily accessible (Crackers work as great place fillers too). Fresh herbs and greens (eg celery tops) can give beautiful accents: Garnish finished tray with fresh herbs or celery tops if desired.
• Cover and place in refrigerator; remove charcuterie board 15 minutes before serving to let the cheeses get closer to room temperature, accentuating their flavors. Warm up bread shortly before serving, if desired.
• Remember: The details make a charcuterie board unique.