Stunning Negative Space Platter (Print View)

Arrange cheeses, fruits, and nuts into artistic shapes with striking negative space for a vibrant platter.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cheeses & Spreads

01 - 3.5 oz Brie cheese, sliced
02 - 3.5 oz Manchego cheese, sliced
03 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, crumbled

→ Fruits

04 - 1 cup seedless red grapes
05 - 1 cup strawberries, halved
06 - 1 kiwi, sliced
07 - 0.5 cup blueberries

→ Savory Accompaniments

08 - 12 thin crackers
09 - 0.5 cup roasted almonds
10 - 0.25 cup pitted green olives

→ Garnishes

11 - Fresh mint leaves for decoration
12 - Edible flowers (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Select a negative space design such as a star, letter, or custom motif and lightly sketch it on parchment paper sized for your serving platter.
02 - Position the parchment paper on the serving platter to serve as a template.
03 - Cluster cheeses and crackers around the design outline, ensuring the negative space remains clear and defined.
04 - Fill in surrounding gaps with grapes, halved strawberries, sliced kiwi, and blueberries, carefully preserving the negative shape.
05 - Place roasted almonds and pitted olives in small piles to provide texture and visual contrast.
06 - Gently lift and remove the parchment paper to reveal the precise negative space design.
07 - Decorate the arrangement with fresh mint leaves and optional edible flowers for a vibrant presentation.
08 - Present immediately, inviting guests to appreciate the design before enjoying.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It turns a simple platter into an edible work of art that becomes the conversation starter before anyone takes a single bite.
  • There's something deeply satisfying about creating beauty through subtraction—letting the empty space do the talking instead of piling everything on.
  • It works for both savory cheese boards and dessert spreads, making it endlessly adaptable to whatever occasion you're celebrating.
02 -
  • The negative space is your star player, so protect it fiercely while arranging—it's easy to mindlessly fill every gap out of habit, but restraint is what makes this work shine.
  • Prepare all your ingredients ahead of time in small bowls, arranged around your workspace, so you're not fumbling around once you start assembling. The actual arrangement goes much faster when everything is ready.
  • The parchment template is not optional—it's the difference between a thoughtfully designed platter and one where the negative space kind of happens by accident.
03 -
  • Keep everything cold until the last moment by storing your ingredients separately, then assembling just 20 minutes before serving so cheeses stay firm and fruit stays crisp.
  • Use a large platter or board—at least 14 inches in diameter—so your design has room to breathe and really make an impact.
  • If you're nervous about freehand design, lightly outline your negative space with small dots of goat cheese as a guide before arranging everything else, then smooth them out.
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