Charcuterie boards are a HOT topic these days and we couldn’t be more on board! They make a great centerpiece at any occasion and have a tendency to bring people together around something we all know and love: cheese and meat. We can’t say that it’s a surprise, because, just look how gorgeous they can be!
Behind every amazing and delicious charcuterie board is a well crafted wood slab. Creating your own charcuterie board slab is a great way to take your next charcuterie board to the next level.
We at The Lumber Shack wanted to give you ALL of the information you might need to know about creating your very own live edge charcuterie board slab to be the center of attention at your next holiday party or event.
You might ask yourself, “What even is a charcuterie and where did it come from?” Well, the term charcuterie (shar-KOO-ta-REE) originated in 15th century France and has been translated to mean “the products of a fancy pork butcher”. While we think that charcuterie can be whatever you want it to be, one exception is that charcuterie should ALWAYS be presented beautifully on a well-crafted board. Keep reading for a few more things we think might come in handy when you are considering creating a live edge charcuterie board slab for yourself.
Common Dimensions for Creating Your Charcuterie Board Slab
Choosing the right size charcuterie board is ultimately up to you and how you plan to use it. They come in tons of shapes and sizes and there really is no “standard” when it comes to these boards, so woodworkers can really delve into their creativity when crafting one. Here are some fairly common sizes to get an idea: 9″ x 13″, 12″ x 18″, 3″ x 17″, and 9″ round. Our best recommendation is to pick the size that feels right for you!
What is a Live Edge Charcuterie Board Slab?
When creating your own charcuterie board slab, using a live edge slab creates a one-of-a-kind style. The character added to the slab from the natural edge can never be duplicated.
Whether to leave the live edges or cut them off is a personal preference. Live edges add complementary uniqueness to your table while a straight-cut edge offers a more modern look – both resulting in a lovely, natural work of art.
What About a Little Bit of Color?
You might be thinking to yourself, “Man, live edge wood is beautiful and all, but I really want my charcuterie board to POP at my next gathering.” Well, adding a little bit (or a lot) of epoxy to your charcuterie board project could be the perfect start! Because epoxy is such a versatile product, you can turn what you might consider a plain board into a masterpiece. Here are some incredible examples that some of our customers have put together:
Not a fan of color, but you would still like a crisp-edged board? Use clear, transparent epoxy instead! This could give you a nice square edge and leave the natural live edge to do the talking. There are tons of cool things you can do with charcuterie boards to add a little flair, including inlays like @nikspourcreations did in the larger image above!
But I Already Have Too Many Charcuterie Boards…
One of the best things about charcuterie boards is their versatility. You can use them as cutting boards, bread boards, or plates. You can hang them on the wall, or use it as part of your dining table’s centerpiece. If you just need an excuse to make another, they make excellent gifts for the holidays, birthdays, or anniversaries. If you are already reading this article, do you really need an excuse to make another? Jump over to The Lumber Shack and find the perfect slab for your next charcuterie board!
Are you getting hungry after all this talk about a meat and cheese board? Did you work up an appetite customizing your very own charcuterie board? Check out your local deli for some help putting together a platter that will pair perfectly with your live edge charcuterie board!