Make a (Local) Cheese Plate

During a trip to Berkeley Bowl West a few weeks ago, I spent half an hour chatting with the guy behind the cheese counter and got a full run down on local cheeses. (I also got dozens of delicious samples as we made our way through each variety!) I had no idea there are so many local cheese producers in the Bay Area and felt inspired to put together a “local” cheese platter.

Below are my tips on how to put one together for your next dinner party. Some cheeses, like Parmiagno-Reggiano, are not produced locally, so either splurge or sub with a different variety.

• Head to your local cheese shop. Skip the supermarket and head to your local cheese shop instead. Ask the person at the counter to help you choose a selection of cheeses and make sure to sample each one before you buy a hunk of it. Cheese shops will expect you to sample, so don’t feel shy about asking!
• Choose a variety. Select 3 or 5 cheeses (it’s more visually appealing to have an odd number) that range in texture and taste. A safe bet is to pick a fresh, soft cheese (like chevre), a stinky or “blooming” creamy cheese (like Brie or Camembert), a semisoft cheese (like Gouda or Fontina), a hard cheese (like Parmigano-Reggiano) and finally a blue (like Stilton).
• Arrange the platter. Place cheeses on a large wooden platter, cutting board or a white porcelain serving dish. Identify each cheese by neatly placing the label next to each one, or create a simple handmade label or tag. Allow cheese to come to room temperature before serving.
• Serve with goodies. Look beyond baguettes and crackers and mix it up. Seasonal offerings like quince paste, sliced apples or pears, nuts, figs, and grapes pair wonderfully with cheese.

Check out these local cheese producers:

• Central Coast Cremery makes a delicious gouda.
• Cypress Grove Chevre is famous for their pungent, creamy Humbolt Fog.
• I love Redwood Hill Farm’s goat milk cheddar with sliced apples.
• Laurel Chenel’s goat cheese rounds can be found in markets across the Bay Area.
• Look to Point Reyes Farmstead for a stinky and yummy blue.
• Cow Girl Creamery offers a range of soft, spreadable cheeses and has a shop at the Ferry Building.
• Find fresh mozzarella at Belfiore Cheese Company.

*Image compliments of iGourmet.

Tagged as: cheddar, cheese, goat, local cheese