Date: July 29, 2019 | Story: Tiffany Adams | Photography: Beth Hall |
Stephanie Bryant of The Blonde Kitchen shows us how to get on board with the latest trend in hors d’oeuvres
Snack boards, picky platters, or the more traditional charcuterie board—whatever you call these boards loaded with bite-size edibles, they are popping up everywhere. As the owner of The Blonde Kitchen, Stephanie Bryant assembles about 20 boards per week for her clients in Northwest Arkansas. “I love the idea of small, handheld bites. The board becomes a centerpiece at a gathering—people can hang out around it, and they are really pretty, too,” she says.
The Harrison native got her start in the food industry three years ago. “I’ve been obsessed with food my whole life,” she says. “I grew up watching The Food Network, and I would even pretend to host my own cooking show.” After going through several majors at the University of Arkansas, her best friend encouraged her to give culinary school a try. Here, she connected with her passion and eventually started a private chef business where she did meal prep for busy families as well as catering for small events and parties. “I had someone ask for a fruit board for one of these, and that rolled into creating a charcuterie board, and then a brunch board, and a for-kids-only board. I thought, I could put anything I want on a board, and now I’ve been making them for a year,” she says.
She also credits the local community with helping to get her business up and running. “Fayetteville loves local things, so they welcome local businesses with open arms,” Stephanie says, noting there’s also a great network of women-owned businesses in the area. “I’m so thankful for these people who have hired me for events and helped to give me exposure.”
Customers can bring her their own platters or she will build an appetizer for you on her custom boards crafted by Arkansas woodworker Derek Anderson of Bearded Buffalo Woodcraft (@beardedbuffalowoodcraft). The boards typically range from 10-inch circles or squares up to 5-foot boards—that’s right, a 5-foot board!—but can be customized to any size. “The largest one I’ve done was 9 feet long,” Stephanie says. To order, contact her through Instagram (@the_blonde_kitchen). Check out three of our favorite options—all of which are also customizable—on the following page.
Rise and Dine
Breakfast boards are a favorite for those who love to linger over a weekend brunch. They’re also popular for morning wedding and baby showers. “I always ask clients their definition of breakfast before I make one of these,” Stephanie says, “because everyone is different.” She notes variations of this board include bagels with spreads and even chicken and waffles.
What’s On the Board
• Red onion, dill, and goat cheese quiche
• Croissants
• Donut holes
• Chocolate mini donuts
• Honey
• Variety of fresh seasonal fruit
• Blueberry goat cheese
Classic Charcuterie
“I abide by the philosophy that there are no set rules when it comes to charcuterie boards,” Stephanie says. “Simply make it with the things you like.” She notes these classic boards are a chance for diners to revisit old favorites and try something new, which makes for a balanced approach.
What’s On the Board
• Colby-Jack cubes
• Mozzarella pearls with fresh basil
• Merlot cheddar
• Onion and chive cheddar
• Sharp cheddar
• Drunken goat cheese
• Traditional goat cheese
• Brie
• Prosciutto
• Turkey with cracked black pepper
• Spicy salami
• Salami and mozzarella wraps
• Smoked ham
• Pickled okra
• Olives
• Dried figs
• Variety of fresh seasonal fruit
• Honey combs
• Dried apricots
• Fig jam
• Sourdough crackers
• Pistachios
Kid-Friendly Menu
“These are great for sleepovers,” Stephanie says of her custom kids boards. “When I think kid-friendly, I keep picky eaters in mind, so I do a lot of basic meats and cheeses and then add some whimsical things like fruit snacks and cheddar bunny or fish crackers.” While not shown here, she often adds popcorn to these boards, as well.
What’s On the Board
• Dried pineapple
• Grapes
• Colby-Jack cubes
• Deli turkey
• Deli chicken
• Carrots
• Pickles
• Pistachios
• Salami
• Pepperoni-wrapped mozzarella sticks
• Fruit snacks
• Gouda
• Cheddar bunnies
• Cheese crisp crackers
• Mozzarella pearls
For more board inspiration, follow Stephanie on Instagram (@the_blonde_kitchen).
