Waterfall Edge Grazing Board (Printer View)

Elegant board with cheeses, fruits, nuts, and savory accents cascading over the edge for a stunning centerpiece.

# Components:

→ Cheeses

01 - 5 oz Brie, sliced
02 - 5 oz Aged Cheddar, cubed
03 - 3.5 oz Blue cheese, crumbled
04 - 3.5 oz Goat cheese log, sliced

→ Cured Meats (omit for vegetarian board)

05 - 3.5 oz Prosciutto
06 - 3.5 oz Salami, sliced

→ Fresh Fruits

07 - 1 cup red grapes, cut into small clusters
08 - 1 cup strawberries, halved
09 - ½ cup blueberries
10 - 1 pear, thinly sliced

→ Dried Fruits & Nuts

11 - ½ cup dried apricots
12 - ½ cup dried figs, halved
13 - ⅓ cup almonds
14 - ⅓ cup walnuts

→ Crackers & Bread

15 - 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
16 - 5 oz assorted crackers

→ Accompaniments

17 - ¼ cup honey
18 - ¼ cup fig jam
19 - ¼ cup mixed olives
20 - Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme) for garnish

# Method:

01 - Select a large wooden or marble board and position it near the table edge to allow ingredients to cascade over.
02 - Layer the sliced and cubed cheeses in overlapping sections near the edge, allowing some pieces to extend beyond the board.
03 - Fold the prosciutto and salami gently, layering them alongside and over the cheeses to create a draped effect.
04 - Nestle clusters of grapes, halved strawberries, blueberries, and pear slices so some spill naturally over the board edge.
05 - Tuck dried apricots and halved figs among the fresh fruits and scatter almonds and walnuts across the board and table.
06 - Arrange toasted baguette slices and assorted crackers vertically and horizontally, stacking some to simulate falling over the edge.
07 - Place small bowls or ramekins with honey, fig jam, and olives on the board, letting some drip or scatter towards the table.
08 - Sprinkle fresh rosemary and thyme over the board for aroma and visual appeal.
09 - Present immediately, inviting guests to enjoy from both the board and elements that have cascaded onto the table.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that looks like you spent hours planning, but honestly takes about thirty minutes.
  • The waterfall effect gives you permission to be a little messy, which somehow makes it feel more inviting and less fussy.
  • Everyone finds something they love—cheese lovers, fruit seekers, nut nibblers—all on one board.
  • It works for vegetarian guests, wine pairings, or casual afternoon gatherings without feeling like you made compromises.
02 -
  • Slice your cheese just before assembly; cut surfaces oxidize quickly and dull that fresh, appealing look within an hour or two.
  • The board needs to be genuinely stable and secure—test the overhang with your hand before arranging food, because a dramatic tumble isn't charming if it lands on the floor.
  • Soft cheeses like Brie and goat cheese are your friends for draping and creating flow; they're forgiving and won't shatter when positioned at angles.
03 -
  • If you're nervous about the overhang, do a quick test with crumpled paper first to see how stable your particular board is before loading it with food.
  • Cold ingredients stay fresher and hold their shape better, so keep everything chilled until the final moments before serving.
  • The best waterfall boards have a mix of heights and angles—use small bowls, stack crackers, tilt elements—because variety in elevation creates more visual drama than a flat arrangement ever could.
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