Kitchen: How to Make a Cheese Plate

The other day, Mr. Wonderful and I went out for a date.

The type where good conversation is the main activity and the rest are secondary.

My first encounter with Cheese, is during my F&B module, where we learn't about the different types of cheese; soft, semi hard & hard; cow's milk, goat's milk or cow's milk, and how they're made; traditional or modern and their origin; French, Italian, Spanish & etc.

My next encounter was when he wined and dined me at Basilico at Regent Hotel.

Ooh boy, Italian food is good! Especially with the buffet spread of antipasti and that was where I tried Italian cheese for the first time.

Mr. Wonderful LOVES cheese.

And on this particular date., not the Basilco dinner. Seeing as how there's a cheese plate on the menu. He ordered one. Just two cheese cos we were stuffed.

Brie ( His favourite) and a Spanish hard cheese, of which I can't remember the name. *sigh*

It was sublime.

Only yesterday, I got into a conversation with a couple of bloggers, Joyce and Clarence about cheese and what are our favourites.

Then I saw this guide on how to make the perfect cheese plate.

(image by Jamie Beck via Cup of Jo)

I love Joanna Goddard. She blogs about the most amazing things!

Here are a couple of pointers on how to make the perfect cheese plate (based on the guide by Joanna and from own experience:

• Have a variety of cheese from soft to hard, cow's milk, goat's milk or mixture &etc. The number of cheese? Not more than seven.
• Get a big board, usually a chopping board and arrange the cheese from hard to soft.
• Serve cheese at room temperature.
• Have a variety of accompaniment or garnish like olive oil, honey, jams, crackers, nuts, dried fruits and fruits. Whatever rocks your boat. I love raisins and jam!
• Umm.. don't eat the rind. Some are edible but others are not, like wax, or ash.
• If you're a wine aficionado, good for you! Serve wine that pairs with cheese. If not, you can always ask a cheesemonger for his reccomendation!

 (Image: Joey Stein)

I did a little bit of research and found a couple of places to buy cheese:

The Grocer
Block 9 #01-12 Dempsey Road, Dempsey Hill
Singapore, 247697

Jason's Market Place
at various, locations. There's one at Raffles City Shopping Centre

La Fromagerie by Edith and Julien
5 Mohamed Sultan Rd, 239014
AND
BLK 43 Jalan Merah Saga #01-64Chip Bee Gardens, Holland Village,

Singapore 278115

 

Cold Storage

various locations

Carrefour

Plaza Singapore Shopping Centre

AND

Suntec City Shopping Centre

 

The Cellar Door Deli & Wine Cafe

#01-108/109 Vivo City, 1 Harbour Front Walk

OR if you find that you'd rather dine than make your own platter. Check out these few places.

Basilico Restaurant (Love the italian cheese!)

The Regent Singapore

Level 2

1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore249715

The Grocer
Block 9 #01-12 Dempsey Road, Dempsey Hill
Singapore, 247697

La Fromagerie by Edith and Julien
5 Mohamed Sultan Rd, 239014
AND
BLK 43 Jalan Merah Saga #01-64Chip Bee Gardens, Holland Village,

Singapore 278115

 

The Cellar Door Deli & Wine Cafe

#01-108/109 Vivo City, 1 Harbour Front Walk

 

The Line

Shangri-La Hotel Singapore

22 Orange Grove Road

 

Global Kitchen

Pan-Pacific Hotel Singapore

7 Raffles Boulevard

The National Geographic Cafe Singapore

#01-19

VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk

Apart from Basilico and the National Geographic Cafe. I'm not so sure about the rest. Its hard to find reviews on the cheese selection available.

 

In my opinion, your best bet lies in the Deli/Cafes like The Grocer, Cellar Door and La Fromagerie. I bet the cheesemongers/chefs will be able to recommend a good cheese platter your can create or dine on if you plan to eat at the place instead.