Create an appetiser board

An appetiser board or charcuterie board gives you the ideal opportunity to let your creativity run wild, test out dishes and reduce waste. In addition, consumers will often order a charcuterie board with a delicious cocktail or mocktail. In short: with an appetiser board you can indulge your customers and boost your turnover. How do you approach this efficiently? The chefs at La Lorraine Bakery Group are here to help.  

Creating an appetiser board: what are the benefits?  

Is food waste a problem for your business? Do you find it hard to stay on top of trends? The appetiser board or charcuterie board offers a solution. An appetiser board consists of a collection of delicious small dishes and bites. This makes it easy to:  

  • Reduce waste: leftover meat, fish, charcuterie, vegetables, fruit and bread can be used to make small dishes. This allows you to optimise your food cost percentage.  

  • Test out dishes: do you have innovative ideas for dishes that you want to test out in a low-stakes manner? Create small portions and integrate them into your appetiser board. Collect feedback from your customers and add them to your menu if they prove popular.  

  • Stay trendy: as well as being a way to test whether your new dishes are a hit with your target audience, you can also tap into the popular food sharing trend. By adding an appetiser board to your menu, you can capitalise on this trend.  

  • Expand your menu: is your menu currently quite limited? With an appetiser board, you have the freedom to experiment. Add different versions to your menu to appeal to different target groups. We'll give you some ideas later on in this article.  

  • Increase your turnover: an appetiser board does not have to consist of expensive ingredients to resonate with consumers; you can simply add some of the savoury snacks from LLBG. In addition, customers like to enjoy an appetiser board with drinks. This allows you to easily increase your turnover.   


Types of appetiser boards 

An appetiser board is a festive platter featuring a varied selection of snacks and small dishes — perfect for sharing with drinks or as a starter. There are different types of appetiser boards and charcuterie boards that cater to a diverse range of preferences. Here are some ideas.  

Luxury appetiser board

A luxury appetiser board is suited to customers looking for an extravagant experience. For this appetiser board, it's important to use only high-quality ingredients. A few ideas from our chefs:

  • Mini rustic baguettes with soft goat's cheese and honey

  • Toasted bread with prosciutto, fig jam and blue cheese

  • Slices of smoked duck breast with orange sauce

  • Smoked salmon rolls filled with cream cheese, dill and cucumber pieces

  • Tuna tartare with finely chopped capers and chilli flakes

Complement these dishes with ready-made luxurious products such as truffle brie, artichoke dip and marinated olives to add greater flavour.

Tapas board

The tapas board is the perfect opportunity to test out new dishes. Create mini versions of new recipes and test your customers’ taste buds. These delicacies are a must for your tapas board:

  • Marinated scampi or prawns with a homemade dip

  • Spanish albondigas in a fresh, herby tomato sauce.

  • Crispy croquettes filled with ham, chicken, fish or vegetables.

  • Mini pizzettas with various toppings

Complete the tapas board with your own innovative recipes, marinated anchovies, manchego cheese and a deliciously crunchy baguette.

Italian appetiser board

Italian concepts always go down a treat. This appetiser board is therefore a must for your menu. Some inspiration for your dishes and snacks:

  • Antipasti: prosciutto, salami and mortadella transport your customers to Italy in a single bite.

  • Cheeses: Parmigiano-Reggiano, Mozzarella di Buffalo and Gorgonzola.

  • Verdure grigliate: grilled courgettes, aubergine and pepper, drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and herbs such as oregano and basil.

Don't forget to also add Italian breads such as schiacciata, ciabatta and focaccia.

Dessert board

Is it time to trade cocktails for a lungo or cappuccino? Why not offer a dessert board to accompany them? A delicious extra with gourmet coffee.

  • A mouthwatering assortment of mini patisserie.

  • Filled and unfilled mini donuts for the little ones.

  • A chocolate fondue with fruit, marshmallows, biscuits and mini beignets for dipping.


How do you create a delicious appetiser board?

An appetiser board requires variety and balance. So ask your customers how many people will be sharing the appetiser board beforehand. Then you know how many portions to provide. Even more importantly, dare to combine flavours. Meat, fish, cheese, vegetables, fruit, bread, crackers, dips, sauces...you can and must have a varied spread.  

Tip 1: Give each dish a label because your customers will want to know what they're eating. This makes it easier to ask for feedback about specific dishes.  

Tip 2: Provide enough (reusable) cocktail sticks or small cutlery, so they can enjoy the appetiser board efficiently. You can also add a bowl for any waste (such as olive pits).

Creating an appetiser board that suits your food business

Are appetiser boards only for restaurants? Not if you ask the chefs at La Lorraine Bakery Group. An appetiser board is suitable for every food business.  

Appetiser boards for bakers

Yes, you read that right. As well as breakfast baskets, appetiser boards are a smart move for bakers. These two products are similar, although appetiser boards will be more varied. So use mini bread rolls, mini patisserie and mini viennoiserie and fill your board with toppings, spreads, mini yoghurts and fruit. Give all your products the attention they deserve.

Appetiser boards for your sandwich shops

For sandwich shops, appetiser boards are the best way to shine a spotlight on new recipes and offer a wider assortment. You can serve mini versions of your most popular sandwiches or new recipes, wraps cut into slices, small bowls of soup, fruit salads and vegetables with hummus or other dips. You'll make customers looking for an elaborate lunch very happy indeed.


LLBG: take your appetiser boards to the next level

Convinced of the benefits of appetiser boards? With La Lorraine Bakery Group's range, you can quickly and easily create delicious and versatile appetiser boards to please everyone. Discover our products online or request a product catalogue to discover the possibilities. Need advice? Book a meeting with one of our representatives. We're happy to help.

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