We take you to a master cheese class with Aimee Olexy, the culinary mastermind behind Talula's Table in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania and Talula's Garden and the Love restaurants in Philadelphia.
"Everyone gathers by the cheese board," Olexy says. "That's the first stop. You have to break the ice at a party. The idea is to break the cheese up into little pieces to break the ice. Make it beautiful and appealing so the people come and eat it."
Olexy first made waves in the culinary world when she opened Talula's Table in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, an intimate 12-seat dining experience.
Master cheese class with Aimee Olexy | The Dish
The idea was so groundbreaking at the time.
"It's a cheese shop and a bakery early in the morning, it's a cafe all day, and then at night, it turns into a miniature little secret restaurant, where we serve a 10-course tasting menu," Olexy says. "It's really neat."
She later added Talula's Garden in Philadelphia's Washington Square neighborhood.
"We have local, seasonal, beautiful dinners every night," she says. "Indoor, outdoor, even in the wintertime, and gorgeous, sunny brunches."
A few doors down on Washington Square, Talula's Daily is a market/cafe by day and dinner club by night.
"The Cafe is open all day, starting at 8 a.m. in the morning. Everyone is there for their coffee. I never tire of naturality, simplicity, and natural things," says Olexy.
Olexy also partnered with Stephen Starr to open The Love in the city's Rittenhouse Square neighborhood.
"Very simple, natural cooking was something that I was into my whole life," Olexy says. "This is really fun to do. I live this city-country life."
As for the cheese board, it's one of the staples on the menu at Talula's Garden, and there is an art to it!
According to Olexy, here's your ultimate cheese cast list:
STARRING ROLE: The Familiar Cheddar. This is the cheese everyone knows and loves.
"Start with an amazing cheddar that is friendly, that's assertive, but isn't scary," Olexy says. "Crumble it up, or cut it into little bites so people can nibble right on it. Put it right in the center. Make sure people grab it."
THE LUXURIOUS, SPREADABLE CHEESE: Think Brie or Camembert.
"Go for something with a rich buttery quality. You need that as a centerpiece for a board, because that's what brings people together," says Olexy. "People love to stand there and spread it on their bread."
THE WELL-DRESSED, WELL ACCESSORIZED SHOWSTOPPER: Cheeses with fruits or nuts folded in, a fun-looking cheese with character.
"I love a Wensleydale, an English cheese, like one with a bit of cranberry throughout it. It gives it color, texture, and interest," says Olexy.
THE FANCY CHEESE: Something with an upscale ingredient, like truffle.
"A great truffle cheese is aromatic," says Olexy. "It pulls people in. It's captivating. You get into the conversation. People ask: 'What was that that I tasted?' 'What is that cool flavor?'"
THE DRAMATIC CHEESE: The Blue cheese that draws opinions.
"Blue cheese is a love/hate cheese. People are afraid of blue cheese. I choose one that looks beautiful, but it's actually really mild," Olexy says. "I don't use anything wildly assertive or anything overly strong or full-flavored. I like things to be delicious."
DIY A SHOW-OFF CHEESE CONCOCTION:
Olexy starts with fresh goat cheese and mixes in a little honey and dried lavender to create a spreadable little cheese truffle. It looks cute and impressive with minimal effort.
CHEESE BOARD ADORNMENTS:
Once the cheeses are in place, it's time to dress the board.
Consider using cute little cornichons, walnuts, almonds, or candied nuts. Add a beautiful, local honey to drizzle. Include fresh fruit like grapes, sliced apples, or orange slices.
Of course, you could also make it a true charcuterie board and add your cured meats, like salami and prosciutto.