CHEESEBOARD MASTERCLASS

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved hosting events. From middle school parties with themed decor and activities to today’s creative gatherings, these moments have always been special—little celebrations that bring people together. But up until now, they’ve always been just for fun. That changed when a mom friend at my kids’ school asked me to host a holiday-themed cheeseboard-making class for her and a few girlfriends. Years ago, I made her an unforgettable cheeseboard for her birthday celebration on my rooftop, and it left such an impression that she wanted to share the experience with her friends. Of course, I jumped at the chance—throwing events is my happy place!

Logistics came first. I tapped into my influencer know-how and reached out to my friends at Butterfield Market, who enthusiastically jumped on board to provide ingredients and groceries for the event. Butterfield also introduced me to their partner florist, Flowers & Creations, who brought my vision to life with buckets of stunning fresh and dried blooms. Armed with these incredible tools, I set out to create something magical.

I wanted the event to be full of “wow” moments, starting with the cheeseboards themselves. My idea? An entirely edible base: a gingerbread cheeseboard! Perfect for the season and practical for the class since I didn’t want guests wielding knives during Thirsty Thursday. Everything on the board was pre-sliced and ready to graze. To make it extra special, I designed little keepsake cards with my cheeseboard concept illustration on one side and a recipe for making gingerbread board bases at home on the other.

The setup was just as important as the lesson. My NYC apartment got a holiday makeover (see a video here): parchment-lined tables for a textured, food-friendly surface, a fabric runner to ground the space, and flowers suspended from my chandelier for that instant “wow” when guests walked in. The extra blooms went into a photo station for finished boards, a chic wine-and-cheeseboard display, and even my bathroom, extending the festive vibe to every corner of my home.

The class itself was a hit! From crafting charcuterie roses to layering cheeses like pros, we laughed, snacked, and celebrated creativity together. I even created a larger-format cheeseboard as an example of how they could translate their skills into hosting their own events—and as a bonus grazing table for the night.

A huge thank-you to Butterfield Market for the fresh, flavorful ingredients and to Flowers & Creations for the dreamy floral arrangements that tied everything together. Your trust and collaboration made this event so special. Here’s to many more unforgettable gatherings!