7 Thematic Ways to Build a Cheese Plate with That Cheese Plate’s Marissa Mullen

That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life is now out in hardcover by Instagrammer and cheese plate aficionado, Marissa Mullen. If you’ve even been impressed with yourself for arranging one soft, one hard, and one blue cheese with an attractive gathering of fruits, nuts, and crackers, then Mullen’s approach is the manifesto you may need for taking your cheese plates to the next level, and even into the realm of the dazzling and thematic.

“I coined a method called ‘Cheese By Numbers,’” says Mullen of her personal approach to cheese plate construction. “This makes the plate building process simple, yet yields beautiful results. I divide the cheese plate into six sections: 1) cheese, 2) meat, 3) produce, 4) crunch, 5) dip and 6) garnish. Each number acts as a step to build upon.” The order of layering makes a big impact in the outcome of the plate. Also note that the meat element in many of her plates adheres to an aesthetic she also coined, the hashtag-friendly #salamiriver.

Working within these guidelines allows for a great deal of organized creativity, incorporating numerous colors and textures. Mullen’s book and instagram feed are a wealth of images that show how her multi-step process can help you build a cheese plate along many different, and often unexpected, themes.

Location, Location, Location

France, Italy, Switzerland, and The Netherlands are obvious places to begin in using the Cheese By Numbers method to design a cheese plate that has a strong sense of terroir. (Gouda with stroopwafels? I’m in.) But you can also work domestically, even regionally, in a location-based cheese plate approach. Go hyper local if you can with cheese, products, and produce from within your own community, or take inspiration from American’s cheese state. Think a Wisconsin Cheese-based plate featuring selections from the state’s numerous artisanal dairies, plus the necessary, squeaky cheese curds, and accoutrements like bratwurst and pretzels to tie it all together. (All paired with a brandy old fashioned, of course.)

Color

While you may be somewhat limited by the color of the cheeses themselves—though not as much as you may think—an easy design element that Mullen demonstrates with many plates is in keeping the other five cheese companions within a similar color palate. (There are cheese plates featuring blue cheeses, and then there are blue cheese plates.) Or she even shows how to take it a step further with a full rainbow effect.

Flavor

With a wide variety of cheese and accompaniments, it’s often hard to define a specific flavor profile for any given cheese plate other than “cheesy,” but many of Mullen’s plates demonstrate how it can be done. Her “Savory Pairings” plate above eschews the fruit, and keeps the accessories all in the savory range, with briny partners like olives and cornichons, deep umami truffles, and smoky bacon. A sweet cheese plate, even a dessert-appropriate plate, could go the opposite direction, with buttery triple cremes and caramelly aged goudas paired with fruit, chocolate, jam, honey, or cookies.

Astrology

Highly appropriate for gifting or bringing to birthday festivities, Mullen’s book and site features a whole series of zodiac themed cheese plates, for those who want to go a little wilder in the thematic direction. Not only are the signs represented in the given constellation’s shape on the plate, (spot the bull above with the arrangement of prosciutto,) but you can just as easily lean in to stylings that speak to elemental distinctions or personality traits. The Taurus plate is earthy and decadent, for example, while the Aquarius plate is cool and cerebral. Find all 12 zodiac cheese plates with the hashtag #thatastrologyplate.

Brunch

Proof positive that a good cheese plate is appropriate any time of day, Mullen exhibits several plates that can even be had for breakfast. (Well, at least brunch, but I’m game first thing in the morning.) Cream cheese is technically still a cheese, after all, in the style of other soft, fresh cheeses like boursin and mascarpone. Bagels, deviled eggs, lox, toast, and jam can all join forces with cheese to create a cheese plate that’s also a really good reason to get out of bed.

Holidays, Seasons, and Events

Game Day Plate photo credit: Marissa Mullen

Here’s where the real fun begins, as Mullen’s cheese plate creations pay tribute to many spots on the calendar, from seasons, to holidays, to other socially significant events, like the Oscars or the Superbowl.

“I'd say my Game Day cheese plate is pretty outrageous,” she says. “The plate includes a stinky Taleggio, pepper jack, buffalo wings, chorizo, jalapeños, celery, carrots, potato chips, spicy almonds, buffalo sauce, blue cheese dressing, and chives for garnish. It sounds crazy, but the items actually pair really wonderfully!” For other outrageous inspiration, check out her plates for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Independence Day, Hannukah, and New Year’s Eve, among others.