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How to Create a Beautiful Grazing Table This Christmas

CaigerandCo • Oct 20, 2021


As winter fast approaches, we are thinking about festive parties, and, most importantly, what we will be eating at them. Grazing tables are hugely popular right now, and it’s no wonder. They are an opportunity to showcase really wonderful produce, and they act as a great conversation starter at a work Christmas party or family get together. 


We offer this as a catering service, and would be delighted to elevate your party with a Caiger & Co. grazing station buffet.


But whether you want to have a go at it yourself or hire a Christmas catering company, here is our step-by-step guide of how to create your own DIY grazing table this Christmas.


1. Shopping for the produce


We like to go to our favourite local London delis to get the best produce we can find. Brindisa is amazing for Spanish snacks, for cheese its got to be Neal’s Yard Dairy in Borough Market, Leila’s Shop in Shoreditch is a joy, as is Joy in Notting Hill , R Garcia and Sons in Notting Hill for your Italian desires, and Honey & Spice in Bloomsbury stocks food from the Middle East.


We suggest you choose a good mix of cheese, carbs, cured meats, nuts and some seasonal fruit & vegetables. Don’t forget loaves of sourdough and artisanal crackers, while crudités can act as vessels for your gluten-free guests.

2. Find your space


Now you’ve done your shopping, find your space. We like dedicating a whole table top to our grazing stations, you want your area to look bountiful but not chaotic. So if your grazing station can have its own stand alone table- you’re winning. However, you can also create gorgeous grazing trays, look at this one we did at a micro wedding this year.

 

3. Table presentation


If the table is made of lovely materials, such as rustic wood or marble, we would leave it as it is. If it’s not the prettiest, then get a linen tablecloth to cover it – check out Yolke’s linens – just beautiful. Add some greenery to the table, you could go to your local florist and pick up some olive branches, or fig or palm leaves.

 

 

4. Play around with levels


Grazing tables look great when you utilise different levels, so get yourself some risers for your platters. You can use old ceramic or metal plant pots, and big wooden boards of varying thicknesses.

 

5. Food arrangement for grazing tables


When arranging your food, put the largest items down first and arrange the smaller elements around them. Start with the cheese, if you’re going for a hard cheese, such as a manchego, cut it up into little pieces, and fan them around your wooden board. You want to make it easy for your guests to dig in. However, if you are opting for a whole truckle, such as a nettle rind Cornish Yarg then these can look really lovely as your centrepiece. 


Next add smaller elements into the mix, such as charcuterie from The Real Cure, whole honeycomb pieces, maybe some jars of olives from Honey & Spice. Cut open some figs to bring some colour, and big bunches of cascading grapes are always a good look. 


Pickled market vegetables are a great addition for the cheeseboard, as are some artisanal chocolate buttons and some scattered berries.

 

6. Crockery tips


Use mix and match crockery for your dips, we love what Belazu offers, we like to pile them up high in the bowls for that bountiful look.

 

7. Cutlery and plates


Decide on cutlery and plates, we always suggest that you go for eco options, such as ceramic plates or wooden boards.

 

 8. Final touches for the grazing table


Finish the table off with beautiful floral arrangements in vases, support your local London florist and go for a few little posies or one big bunch of British flowers.

 

9. Everything else to set the scene


Give yourself a good amount of time, put on some music and have fun putting your table together, remember it doesn’t have to look super professional, (that’s what we’re here for!) just let your ingredients do the talking.

 

Shopping list: grazing table styling essentials


Here's a list of what we suggest you buy to create your own grazing tables this Christmas:

  • Linens
  • Risers
  • Wooden Boards
  • Cocktail napkins
  • Platters
  • Skewers/ cocktail sticks
  • Plants
  • Menus
  • Fairy lights in jars
  • Bowls for dips
  • Cheese knives
  • Plates for the guests

 

Shopping list: food items for your grazing table


Here's a list of suggested food items to buy for your grazing table:

  • Whole rounds of cheese (perhaps a manchego and a Cornish yard)
  • Cucumbers cut into slices, so they can act as ‘crackers’ for gf guests
  • Jars of Belazu dips (check out their website for this years offering)
  • Jars of Rubies in the Rubble chutney
  • Sliced charcuterie
  • Home pickled cucumbers/ radishes/ green beans/ carrots
  • Olives
  • Grissini
  • Sourdough & crackers
  • Artisan chocolate buttons

 

Here are some examples of past grazing stations we have done in the past. Check out our case studies for more ideas.



 

Still stuck? Don’t worry, we can help you with your Christmas events and private parties


If you're looking for Christmas caterers, Caiger & Co. offers a full service Christmas catering package, including delicious grazing stations. We've been catering events for over 10 years, from small intimate dinners at home to large London based bashes and corporate lunches.


So if you're looking for someone to help you create the perfect spread this Christmas, get in touch with us today! We do Christmas catering beyond the grazing table and typical bowl food. We also offer full Christmas catering menus like a traditional roast turkey and cranberry sauce, brussel sprouts and roast potatoes, yorkshire puddings, onion stuffing, Christmas pudding with brandy cream and mince pies - whatever is on your mind, we can make it happen and we do everything bespoke for you.


We’d love to hear from you and help make your Christmas parties extra special. Tap into the Christmas spirit and contact us today to discuss all your catering needs.
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