Recently, we welcomed a full and enthusiastic group to Bekah Kate’s for our hands-on Stress-Free Charcuterie Class with the ever-talented Chef Lori Greenwood. And truly—she made charcuterie feel fun, creative, and completely stress-free!
This wasn’t just a demonstration. Our guests rolled up their sleeves, tasted their way through dips and spreads, and practiced the techniques right along with Lori. From crafting charming meat roses to shaping adorable cucumber and tomato flowers, everyone left with newfound skills—and some delightful snacks along the way.
What We Learned: Charcuterie Made Simple
Chef Lori’s biggest message? Keep it simple and plan ahead. Here are her top tips:
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Choose pre-cut meats and cheeses to save time
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Use a variety of accompaniments—cheeses, fruits, pickles, olives, nuts, spreads
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Build on easy-to-assemble boards (we carry gorgeous wooden boards + labeled mats!)
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Prepare in advance using trays with glass covers
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Customize for the occasion: dessert, Mexican, holiday, brunch, themed parties—you name it!
Then we put the tips into action with Lori’s step-by-step method:
Step 1: Add Structure
Start with small bowls filled with dips, sauces, spreads, olives, jams, and more.
Step 2: Add Cheeses and Meats
Place cheeses around the board with room for slicing. Add meats—meat roses first, of course!
Step 3: Add Bread & Crackers
Use 2–3 types: baguette, crackers, crisps, pita chips… the more textures the better.
Step 4: Add Fruits, Veggies, Nuts & Sweets
Fill the gaps with fresh produce, nuts, dried fruit, treats, or themed candies.
Step 5: Garnish
Fresh rosemary and thyme instantly elevate the board.
Everyone practiced these steps hands-on—and the best part? At the end of class, each participant created their own beautiful charcuterie board to take home!
Featured Favorites From the Class
Everything Chef Lori used in the class is available right here at Bekah Kate’s!
From Stonewall Kitchen:
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Spicy Chili Bacon Jam (A class favorite!)
Charcuterie Tools & Essentials:
Whether you want to recreate what we made in class or design your own custom board, you’ll find everything you need on our shelves.
Hands-On Fun: Building Their Own Boards
Our favorite part of the evening was watching everyone put their skills into practice—arranging dips, styling cheeses, shaping flowers, weaving meats, and tucking in fruits and nuts.
The room smelled amazing, the laughter was loud, and the finished boards were stunning.
The Ultimate Ingredient Lists
Our class explored an amazing range of options. Here are some favorites from each category to inspire your next board:
Fresh Fruits & Veggies:
Grapes • Strawberries • Kiwi • Berries • Snap peas • Peppers • Tomatoes • Cucumbers • Carrots • Figs • Dried apricots… and much more!
Crackers & Cheeses:
Ritz • Wheat Thins • Triscuits • Boursin • Brie • Gouda • Manchego • Mozzarella balls • Cheese balls • Hard + soft cheeses
Meats:
Prosciutto • Salami • Pepperoni • Mortadella • Turkey • Shrimp • Summer sausage • Soppressata • Meat roses
Sweets & Treats:
Marshmallows • Pirouettes • Chocolates • Cookies • Caramel • Popcorn • Fudge • M&Ms
Dips & Extras:
Olive oil dip • Mustard • Hummus • Honey • Jams • Olives • Pickles • Baked brie • Edible flowers
Nuts & Seeds:
Almonds • Cashews • Pistachios • Pecans • Pumpkin seeds • Chocolate-covered nuts
Join Us for Future Classes!
If this sounds like fun… it was! And we’d love to have you join us next time.
👉 Sign up for upcoming classes on our website or in-store.
👉 Stop by Bekah Kate’s to shop all your charcuterie essentials—from boards and knives to jams, nuts, and gourmet treats.
Whether you're hosting for the holidays or building a simple midweek snack board, we're here to help you create something beautiful and delicious.
