Whether you are preparing a centerpiece for a wine tasting, or an elegant finish to a meal, we have prepared a step by step guide to share with you our secrets to preparing an exquisite cheeseboard.

- There is no need to overwhelm yourself and guests with too many cheeses, four or five cheeses is sufficient for six to eight guests.  As a rule of thumb three quarters of an ounce of cheese per person should suffice.

- Serve your cheeses at their prime, remove from the refrigerator and unwrap at least one hour before serving and bring up to room temperature. This will develop the flavor and texture of the cheese.

- Slice cheeses into small evenly sized wedges. Leave a small part of the rind on each piece of cheese, it makes the cheese easier to identify, provides a color contrast and makes it easier to handle the cheese.

- When tasting cheeses, the classic progression is from simple to complex, younger to older, lighter to heavier and milder to stronger. Arrange your cheeses on the cheeseboard in this way, beginning at the 6 o’clock position and working clockwise.

- Cow, sheep, goat or buffalo milk, hard or soft, aged or fresh, experiment with different varieties of cheese. When creating a cheeseboard for a wine tasting or first course, select a variety of different flavors and textures. Hard sharp cheeses such as aged cheddar will contrast soft pungent cheeses and salty blues. For a dessert cheeseboard select milder and softer cheeses with smooth creamy textures.

- Fresh or dried fruit will add a sweet juiciness and contrast to the dry saltiness of many cheeses try matching figs, apples, grapes, pears and peaches. Berries provide the perfect contrast to smooth creamy cheeses. Chutneys, preserves, pastes and relishes also add sweetness, spice and acidity to the cheeseboard.

- Bread is the perfect accompaniment for cheese; crusty breads such as a French baguette are made for scooping soft ripe cheeses, while thin flatbreads and crackers provide a contrast in texture. Choose breads and crackers with a fairly neutral flavor as not to overpower the delicate flavors of the cheese.

- Most importantly experiment, get to know you like and love, have fun and enjoy!.