Cheese Plate 101: Assemble the Perfect Platter

By grouping together cheeses with distinctly different tastes (aged, soft, hard or blue), then mixing them with sweet and savory food pairings, a cheese plate can be the standout appetizer of a social occasion. Suggested ingredients: 1/4 pound manchego cheese; 1/4 pound fontina cheese; 1/4 pound goat cheese; 1/4 pound blue cheese; 1/2 pound figs; 1/4 pound prosciutto, thinly sliced; salted crackers; unsalted crackers; olives; herbs; black pepper; one bunch red grapes; one bunch green grapes; baguette; honey; raspberry compote.

Fontina cheese is a perfect fit for guests with earthy, woody palates. Almost mushroom-like in its flavoring, fontina cheese is best served with truffles and meats. For a perfect mix of sweet and savory, consider serving fontina with prosciutto and grapes.

Goat cheese is one of the most versatile types of cheese available. In addition to having a wide variety of tastes, it's also sold in many different shapes: logs, wheels, cones and wedges. Serving Tip: Coat the top and sides with a mix of lavender, thyme and black pepper to add texture and make it more appealing to guests with different palates.

Considered by many to be an acquired taste, manchego cheese is characterized by its buttery taste. Almonds and olives pair well with this mild, Spanish cheese.