Create a simple grazing table for any event | Lakeside Joondalup

Grazing tables have become the star of most parties, blending our passion for good food with the joy of celebrating together. These generous spreads do more than feed your guests – they create a gathering spot that invites everyone to admire, chat and indulge in a bite or two. 

Planning a lavish event or a laid-back get-together? A well-put-together grazing table can turn your celebration into the kind of event that will keep your guests talking long after it’s over. 

Let’s explore how you can create a simple grazing table that caters to all tastes and dietary needs while honouring seasonal products from your local area. From hearty winter bites to nutty autumn dips and vibrant summer fruits, your grazing table will be a year-round hit, celebrating the diversity and abundance of locally sourced goods. 

And the best part? It doesn’t have to cost a lot, either. 

From picking the perfect nibbles to crafting a drool-worthy display, here are our tips for creating a spread that’s sure to dazzle everyone on the guest list. 

Crafting a DIY simple grazing table starts with a bit of creativity and forward planning. TikTok is a great place to start for visual inspiration, and you’ll find countless tutorials on grazing table setups, but here’s a simple formula for assembling something swoon-worthy:

1. Foundation: begin by adding large items like cheese wheels, bread loaves or serving platters as anchors.
2. Fillers: add smaller items like meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts and crackers around the anchors to fill in the gaps.
3. Flair: incorporate small bowls of olives, dips, spreads or garnishes to add depth and variety.
4. Final touches: garnish the table with fresh herbs, edible flowers or other decorative elements for a finishing touch.

To make your job even easier, download a printable grazing table template, layer it with baking paper and follow the guide to add your nibbles. Hello, easy street!  

Remember to think about allergies when planning and creating your masterpiece. Label foods clearly, noting if they have nuts, dairy, gluten or seafood. Keep allergen-containing items separate using dishes and dividers, and be mindful of cross-contamination when preparing food. 

Grazing tables take the idea of meat-and-cheese charcuterie boards to the next level, packing in all sorts of snacks, hearty bites and sweet treats. It’s all about mixing it up to allow your guests to explore a world of flavours and textures at their own pace.

At their core, grazing spreads usually include a few essential categories to cater for different tastes and preferences. Here’s what you’ll generally find:

1. Cheeses: think of cheese as the star of the show. From melt-in-your-mouth brie to bold cheddar and zesty blue cheese, offer enough variety to make a cheese lover’s dream come true.  
2. Charcuterie: meat is the perfect dance partner for cheese, so mix it up by adding crowd favourites, including ham, salami and some oh-so-silky prosciutto. 
3. Bread and crackers: crunchy, chewy, gluten-free or grain-packed – an assortment of artisanal bread and crackers sets the stage for the cheese and charcuterie stars to shine.
4. Fresh fruits and veggies: brighten up the table with a splash of colour and sweetness by adding juicy grapes, crisp apples, sweet berries and crunchy veggies. 
5. Nuts and dried fruit: sprinkling pockets of almonds, walnuts and cashews alongside chewy dried apricots, figs and raisins brings a delightful mix of textures and tastes to the party. 
6. Dips, spreads and preserves: hummus, tapenade, jams and quince paste add visual appeal and flavour depth to balance the saltiness of cheese and meats. 
7. Sweet treats: bite-sized desserts like chocolates, macarons and mini cupcakes add a sweet finish to the grand finale of the grazing experience. 
8. Garnishes and extras: edible flowers, fresh herbs and crunchy crudités like rainbow carrots can bring some extra wow factor to the table. 

These basics provide a balanced and inviting grazing table that appeals to a wide range of tastes, making it a perfect option for gatherings of any size.

Think about adding fresh produce and premade goods that reflect the season of your event and keep the costs down. For winter, think warm meatballs and earthy chestnuts. In autumn, serve juicy figs, olives and mini pecan pies. In summer, opt for ruby-red cherries with tropical fruits and velvety dipping chocolate. And for spring, go for tangy lemon cakes and crispy, smoked salmon cucumber bites. 

The magic of grazing tables is how easily you can adapt them to different occasions and crowd sizes. By switching seasonal ingredients and decorations, you can curate a table that perfectly aligns with any event theme.

• Birthday parties: a good birthday party grazing table mirrors the celebratory mood with seasonal produce, bite-sized delights like mini quiche and sushi and, of course, festive decorations.
• Kids parties: captivate little minds and tummies by creating a kids’ grazing table loaded with colourful fruit kebabs, savoury bites like pizza and sausage rolls, plus sweet treats like chocolate-dipped strawberries. 
• Wedding celebrations: wedding grazing tables call for something lavish, so elevate your spread with gourmet choices, including smoked salmon and other seafood, artisanal bread and an assortment of decadent sweets.
• Easter gathering: hop into the spirit of Easter with a chocolate-laden Easter grazing table. Nestle eggs of all sizes alongside traditional hot cross buns and playful decorations to delight every guest. 
• Mother’s Day: Show your mum or the special person in your life how much you care with a personalised spread on Mother’s Day. Marry her favourite cheese, wine and nibbles with chocolates, flowers and a heartfelt note to make her day truly special.
• NAIDOC Week: celebrate indigenous culture by showcasing native ingredients on your NAIDOC week platter. From Kakadu plums to traditional bush bread, lemon myrtle meatballs and wattleseed cheesecake, there are many ways you can honour the day through food. 

Not every gathering calls for an elaborate set-up. Sometimes, a simple snack platter is all you need to please your crowd. Using paddle boards or sectioned platters, you can easily adapt your offering to suit the event and audience. Here are some examples:

• Movie night snack box: create an unforgettable family night with popcorn, chocolates, lollies and fizzy drinks – perfect for school holidays or sleepovers. 
• Ladies’ night in: a refined platter with essentials like cheese, grapes, nuts and a touch of chocolate will set the tone for a night of laughter and relaxation with the gals. 
• Premade options: if you’re short on time, supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles offer a variety of deli platters, making it easy to host without the hassle.

Creative snack plates are perfect for curbing after-school hunger without spoiling dinner. Mix veggie sticks with delicious dips like warm French onion or cheesy Mexican, add savory muffins, and top apple slices with nut butter and a chocolate drizzle. For extra fun, create caterpillar grapes on skewers, chocolate-dipped bananas with candy eyes and star-shaped melon pieces with a cookie cutter. These snacks are tasty, won't ruin dinner and the leftovers can brighten up tomorrow's lunch box.

Whether you opt for a lavish spread or a modest platter, the goal remains the same: to bring people together in celebration using seasonal produce and locally sourced goods. 

Shopping for your grazing table produce and accessories at Plumpton Marketplace means you can access fresh food and all the latest homewares products while supporting local businesses. 

Get everything you need for a simple grazing table or platter thanks to Big W and Dollar Avenue.

Stock up on quality fruit, vegetables, spices and premade products in one simple stop at Woolworths and Plumpton Fruitworld!