Cover Photo: Marcus Wallis / Unsplash
Photo: Marcus Wallis / Unsplash
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A little bit of this, a little bit of that, and a whole lot of fun–curate your own grazing table with these tips from Apéritif’s Karla Zulueta
While cheese and charcuterie boards are infallible additions to any celebratory spread, why not take it up a notch this holiday season and welcome your friends and family with an extravagant grazing table in your very own home?
Sure, the task may sound daunting, especially for those of us with two left feet on the kitchen floor. But worry not; we sat down with Apéritif founder Karla Zulueta to pick her brain and muster together some must-know tips.
At just 33 years old, Zulueta already wears an eclectic collection of hats as co-founder of Pizzulu Pizza, Sundowners Beach Villas and a handful of other ventures. Of these enterprises, Apéritif is certainly her best-known as its extravagant cakes and caviar pies make endless rounds on social media. However, Apéritif’s unexpected beginnings started when Zulueta posted her first-ever grazing table online, which she had only prepared for her personal housewarming. Fast-forward five years later and Zulueta’s projects have truly flourished, even catering to a crowd of 2,000 people with a 72-feet long grazing table. Apéritif’s signature grazing boxes, perfect for intimate gatherings and date nights, are equally impressive—an original idea by Zulueta herself.
Above Karla Zulueta of Apéritif
Karla Zulueta of Apéritif
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Rest assured you’ll be well on your way to curating your very own grazing table with these eight tips from the expert.
See also: Where to Order Cheese and Charcuterie Platters in Metro Manila
1. Safe Bets
Above A lavish grazing table prepared by Zulueta
A lavish grazing table prepared by Zulueta
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Feeding a crowd can be nerve-wracking, but “you can never go wrong with premium prosciutto, parma ham, and salami Milano”, declares Zulueta. “For cheeses”, she continues, “everybody loves brie. Bake it and top with nuts and fig jam, and you’ve got a winner”. Belprado cheese is her personal favourite, she notes, especially “with fig jam, on a cracker and topped with a cornichon”.
See also: Elevate Your Everyday Family Meals: Tips and Recipes From Robby and Aliza Apostol-Goco
2. Stimulate the Senses
Above One of Apéritif's signature offerings, the grazing box
One of Apéritif's signature offerings, the grazing box
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When curating a grazing table, aim to excite both the eyes and the palate with a range of textures, colours and flavours. “Think of it as a whole party on one table,” Zulueta enthuses. In addition to your mix of snackable bites, why not incorporate your bar into the fun, too? “You can even prepare mimosas in Champagne glasses,” she suggests.
3. Greater Heights
Above A dessert buffet set-up by Zulueta
A dessert buffet set-up by Zulueta
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One easy way to create a more visually stimulating spread is through height. “Layering is also very important”, the entrepreneur explains, “meaning adding height to your food in the form of vases, flower bouquets and elevated dishes.”
See also: Floral Arrangements: How to Decorate Your Home With Fresh Flowers and Foliage
4. Centrepiece Chow
Draw guests to your grazing table by adding luxurious centrepiece items throughout, which add points of focus throughout to maintain visual balance and keep everyone moving. Zulueta recommends a caviar pie that naturally complements charcuterie, or even a whole leg of Iberico ham, which “elevates the design instantly”.
See also: 10 Places To Order a Juicy Christmas Ham For Noche Buena Dinner
5. Jam it Out
Above Grazing boxes by Apéritif
Grazing boxes by Apéritif
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“Don’t forget the jams!” Zulueta exclaims. “They do wonders for enhancing flavours for cheeses. We always make sure there is a fig and truffle honey jam included on our tables.”
See also: Where To Order Wine -16 Wine Shops That Deliver In Metro Manila
6. Bits and Bobs
Above A sweet grazing box by Apéritif
A sweet grazing box by Apéritif
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After you’ve selected your cheese and charcuterie, don’t just stop at the typical accoutrements of bread, nuts and dried fruit. Take a cue from Zulueta and think outside the box with unique additions like popcorn, or even sweeter snacks like mini-doughnuts and chocolates to cater to your resident sweet tooths.
See also: Pia Lichaytoo Couldn't Scramble An Egg, Now She's A Brilliant Chocolatier
7. Cohesive Design
Above A grazing table by Zulueta
A grazing table by Zulueta
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Keep the theme in mind and ensure that your props, decor and even furniture play the part. For grander events, go the extra mile and seek out vintage or antique furniture you could refashion for the big day. “The most interesting table we have worked on is a cinema snack bar”, Zulueta recalls. “Imagine the table as a work of art. Let your imagination run wild!”
See also: A Filipino Christmas Feast: 11 Nostalgic Food to Serve on Noche Buena
8. 'Tis the Season
Above Photo: Libby Penner / Unsplash
Photo: Libby Penner / Unsplash
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“We love playing with holiday designs for grazing tables during the Christmas season!” raves Zulueta. For easy decorative touches that add a festive feel, she suggests spreading Christmas lights throughout the table, or even including timeless holiday fare like Christmas ham or pecan and apple pie.
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This article was originally published in Tatler Homes Volume 29.
About
Lauren’s love for food came much later in life than one would expect— an obsession awakened in the streets of Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene. Armed with this newfound passion, she returned to the Philippines determined to discover the best eats in her home country, with a personal advocacy to champion local cuisines and homegrown talent. Nothing is off-limits; if it’s delicious, it’s worth celebrating.
Work
As Tatler Dining associate editor, Lauren covers all things food and drink, from listing the latest openings in our monthly Dining Radar to interviewing chefs and bartenders about the biggest obstacles crippling the industry today. Beyond the digital space, she also organises Tatler Dining’s tentpole events, including Off Menu and Tatler Dining Kitchen, as well as the annual Tatler Best Philippines awards night and guide launch, detailing the best restaurants in the country.
For leads and event invites, contact her via lauren@tatlerphilippines.com or follow her on Instagram at @laurengolangco.
Photo: Ralph Mendo
