Serving platters once ruled the roost in terms of tableware — the biggest and most impressive piece of a matching dining set, as essential to the enjoyment of a meal as the cutlery and candelabra. Then mealtimes became somewhat less formal and the serving platter was relegated to the top cupboard, making a guest appearance under hams and turkeys at Christmas lunch. But hold that thought, because along came the grazing plate. All of a sudden, platters are back in the spotlight, presenting cheeses, cured meats, fruits and all manner of antipasto. And in further shocking news, they no longer have to match the rest of your plates and bowls — platters can be as individual as the food that adorns them.
Serving platters are designed with functionality, versatility and personality in mind. At Hardtofind we think the happiest word you can hear when you're sitting in the sun with a glass of something crisp and cold, is platter. They come in an endless assortment of colours, designs, patterns and materials, which can make deciding which one to buy a little tricky. So when it comes to platters, we have all manner of options in wood, ceramic, bamboo, crystal, slate and more, plus personalised platters that will make a memorable gift for your good-life living friends. Here are a few of our tips on choosing the perfect platter.
How to choose a platter
You could just throw caution to the wind and choose the platter that makes your heart sing. Or you could be a little more practical in your approach. First, decide on the primary purpose of your platter. Is it for everyday dining, special occasions, hot dishes or buffet style finger food at parties? This will help you narrow down the style, shape and material that you need, and it will also help you work out how much you’re prepared to spend. If you’re buying it for a particular event, that makes the choosing easier, as the occasion should define the usage. While a ceramic plate might be top of mind, open up to the idea of a slate or timber serving board, which let the food be the hero. The most important thing is to choose a platter that will allow you to create the most aesthetically pleasing display of food that your guests will eat with their eyes.
How to assemble the perfect grazing platter
The antipasto platter
Antipasto literally means ‘before the meal’. With its home in Italy, it’s a colourful arrangement of marinated vegetables, olives, rich cheeses and cured meats that’s great served as a starter or with drinks at a party. First choose your cured meats (salami, pepperoni, prosciutto) and cheeses (mozzarella, provolone, manchego) and arrange them on your platter around a small bowl of mixed olives in the centre. Fill in the gaps with marinated vegetables such as artichokes, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and roasted capsicum. Add a few sweeter elements such as fresh figs or chunks of melon. Serve with side plates of crackers or a crusty loaf so guests can assemble their own tasting plates with their favourite elements.
The cheese platter
Cheese is a very personal thing. Some people like to serve just a couple of choices — one hard, one soft — to keep things simple, and some even recommend just choosing one, say a whole wheel of ripe brie, that looks more generous than lots of smaller servings. But variety is the spice of life so throw in a few flavours and that way it’ll please the crowd. Choose a mix of soft and hard cheeses with different milk types (cow, goat and sheep) and flavours. The Hardtofind crew are certified cheese-aholics and we love to combine hard cheeses such as a sharp white cheddar, buttery manchego, a smoked gouda and of course the ubiquitous Parmigiano Reggiano. On the soft side, the classics include brie, fresh mozzarella or burrata and an aged goat’s cheese. Appease the blue-vein fans with a soft gorgonzola.
Note: All cheese should be served at room temperature, so take it out of the fridge and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before serving.
The fruit platter
Great in place of an appetiser or dessert at a casual gathering, the fruit platter is something you can put together in minutes. Stick to seasonal fruit for your theme and choose a colourful and enticing selection that will be a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds. Serve berries hulled and whole, then chop larger fruits into cubes or slices. Serve with fresh fruit dips, yoghurt or chocolate sauce, and some skewers on the side for easy dipping.
Personalised platters
Personalised platters make great gifts for friends, family and significant others. It’s a lovely way to celebrate a special occasion such as an engagement, wedding or housewarming, and it may even become an heirloom piece that guests look for in years to come. And then again it could just be a quirky little gift to raise a smile. Choose from selection of personalised platters with names or messages that show you care. (When searching for your personalised platters at Hardtofind, check the ‘Can be personalised’ box in Special features for an instant curation.)
So now you’re sold on the virtues of platters! In these pages, you’ll find a selection of the best platters Australia-wide. You’ll also discover a wide range of special pieces for your home curated under dining and homewares. Looking for that perfect gift? You’ll love our housewarming gifts, family gifts, and wedding gifts. You may even come across a platter or two along the way!
