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In luxury real estate (and especially on Selling Sunset!), impromptu gatherings are just part of the job. Whether it’s the girls coming over to dissect the latest office drama, an impromptu meeting with Jason about a new listing, or Romain bringing home his construction crew, I’ve mastered the art of the “throw-it-together-but-make-it-look-expensive” charcuterie board.
Why Charcuterie?
Let’s be real – when you’re filming back-to-back episodes and juggling million-dollar listings, nobody has time for elaborate cooking. A beautifully arranged charcuterie board is my secret weapon for instant entertaining. It’s giving “I totally planned this” vibes while taking minimal effort!
My Emergency Charcuterie Stash:
I always keep these items on hand (because you never know when Amanza’s going to pop by for an emergency best-friend chat):
– 2-3 hard cheeses
– 1-2 soft cheeses
– Prosciutto and salami
– Mixed nuts
– Dried fruits
– Good quality crackers
– Local honey
– Fig jam
– Fresh grapes
– Dark chocolate
The Perfect Board Layout
Remember staging a luxury home? Think of your charcuterie board the same way – it’s all about presentation! Here’s my foolproof formula:
Anchor Points (The Big Pieces):
– Brie or Camembert (room temperature is key!)
– Aged cheddar
– Manchego (Romain’s French influence showing!)
– Large meat rolls
Fill-Ins:
– Folded prosciutto
– Salami roses (trust me, so easy!)
– Fresh and dried fruits
– Mixed nuts
– Olives
– Small jams and honeys
Behind-the-Scenes Secret
Remember that scene in Season 5 when the girls came over after the broker’s open? That “impromptu” spread took me exactly 10 minutes to put together. The key? Having a system!
My 10-Minute Assembly Method:
1. Cheese placement (big pieces first)
2. Meat arrangements
3. Fresh fruit clusters
4. Fill empty spaces with nuts and dried fruits
5. Add honey and jam bowls
6. Garnish with fresh herbs
7. Add serving utensils
Essential Tools I Always Have Ready:
Entertaining Emergency Kit:
When Chelsea or Chrishell text they’re “five minutes away,” I grab:
– Pre-sliced cheese (stored in airtight containers)
– Ready-to-go meat selections
– Assorted crackers
– Fresh and dried fruit
– Mixed nuts
– Good olive oil
– Fresh herbs for garnish
Real Estate Ready Tips:
Just like staging a luxury home, it’s all about the details:
– Use odd numbers for groupings
– Create height variation
– Mix textures and colors
– Leave some breathing room
– Add fresh elements
Favorite Combos for Different Occasions:
Office Meeting with Jason:
– Sharp aged cheddar
– Prosciutto
– Fresh figs
– Marcona almonds
– Local honey
Girls' Night Drama Debrief:
– Triple cream brie
– Truffle salami
– Dark chocolate
– Champagne grapes
– Fig jam
Construction Crew Appreciation:
(Romain’s team loves when they finish a project at our house!)
– Manchego
– Hard salami
– Mixed nuts
– Dried apricots
– Fresh baguette
Pro Tips from Years of Entertaining:
– Always serve cheese at room temperature
– Create meat roses by folding salami into quarters
– Use fresh herbs as garnish (looks fancy, costs nothing)
– Keep crackers separate to stay crisp
– Layer flavors and textures
Shopping Sources:
– Cheese: [Cheese shop]
– Meats: [Specialty market]
– Crackers: [Gourmet store]
– Boards: [Home goods store]
– Tools: [Kitchen supply store]
Remember:
Just like in real estate, presentation is everything. But unlike staging a $20M listing, you can throw together a gorgeous charcuterie board in minutes – and eat it too!
