Party food platters are the perfect way to cater a gathering, and Redner’s Markets in Joppa, MD, offers a streamlined way to buy pre-made trays or the ingredients needed to make them.
8 Tips for the Perfect Party Platters
Step 1 – Select a Foundation
Every party platter begins with a foundation – a tray, board, or platter substantial enough to hold the food in question and allow for an appealing arrangement. Wooden boards, glass platters, and large trays work well. When making your selection, consider the colors, theme, and purpose of the gathering so that your choice works with other party elements.
Step 2 – Choose a Platter Type
The number of party platters you’ll need will depend on the size of the gathering, the time of the event, and its purpose. Common choices range from a charcuterie board with a plethora of cured meats, cheeses, crackers, spreads, nuts, and more to a simple cheese board, veggie platter, or fruit tray. You may even choose to have a number of platter types to please all of your guests.
Step Three – Prioritize Variety
As you plan a platter, remember to incorporate variety and balance. Mix up flavors and textures – offering spicy and sweet, crunchy and creamy all on one platter. For instance, when making a charcuterie board pair cured meats with soft and hard cheeses alongside dried fruits, pickles, crackers, and savory and sweet spreads.
A cheese, veggie, fruit, or dessert platter should also offer variety and balance in terms of color, flavor, and texture. While maintaining consistency in the overall theme of the board, remember to incorporate a wide range of vegetables or fruits, for example, rather than sticking to only your favorites.
Step Four – Plan the Arrangement
After selecting the foods to include on your board, plan the arrangement. First, you’ll place substantial items like the bowls for your dips, cheese balls, or large wheels of cheese. You can then use these anchors to build around. Plan to keep similar foods together – crackers with crackers, cheeses with cheeses, meats with meats.
While you keep items close, also incorporate interest for the eye in terms of juxtaposition of contrasting colors and shapes. You may use garnishes to achieve this when needed. Adding depth of height is also important. Stacking meats, cheeses, and crackers allows you to have different heights on your board; you may also add a tiered tray or dip containers of differing heights to achieve this goal.
Step Five – Add the Final Touches
Perfecting your board may require a sprinkle of herbs, edible flowers, nuts, dried fruit, or honey to fill in gaps, add color, and bring the board into a cohesive unit. You’ll know your done when the idea of it being dismantled by hungry guests hurts your feelings a bit.
Step Six – Consider Labels
Does your platter include some unfamiliar specialty foods or potential allergens? Add labels for the comfort and safety of your guests.
Step Seven – Maintain Freshness
A party tray should be composed as close to the gathering as possible or wrapped tightly and refrigerated until guests arrive. Don’t let your hard work whither on a countertop and take on a neglected, yucky appearance.
Step Eight – Forget the First Seven Steps and Order Your Party Trays
Redner’s Markets offers an array of delicious party platter options, including the following from our deli:
- 2’ or 3’ Party Subs
- Brioche Sliders
- Cheese Platters
- Chicken Nuggets
- Chicken Wings
- Fruit and Cheese Nibblers
- Gourmet Trays
- Hoagies
- Italian Party Trays
- Lean and Lite Trays
- Meat and Cheese Combo
- Meatball Platter
- Redner’s Fried Chicken
- Snack Tray
- Traditional Wraps
Click here to buy any of these or other party food platters from Redner’s Markets in Joppa, MD.