At Geeks Who Eat, we love only one thing nearly as much as we love tacos, cheese. Fromage Friday is a huge deal to us and the holidays are the perfect excuse to build a cheese board. Sometime building a cheese board for guests can be intimidating. We’ve partnered with our local Whole Foods to share some of tips on how to build a fantastic cheese board for your holiday get together.

We spoke with Whole Food’s global cheese buyer and world-renowned culinary authority, Cathy Strange, who has shared a few strategies for saving money without sacrificing quality or excitement. Here are just a few of her ideas:

Find a hero cheese – Selecting just one show-stopping, crowd-pleasing cheese will make everything feel special. From there, you can complement it with some wallet-friendly cheeses and accoutrements, and they’ll feel just as fancy. Cathy suggests Herve Mons Stuffed Camembert and Vermont Creamery St. Albans. While Camembert is definitely not for the faint of heart, the St. Albans is much milder despite its potent scent.

Buy only what you need – Whether creating a cheese board for a large group or intimate cocktail party, buying the right amount of cheese can help you save. No need to buy a whole wheel of something if you only need half or less! Make sure to shop at a full-service cheese counter where expert cheesemongers can custom-cut the right quantity.

Get expert help – Knowledgeable cheesemongers can guide you to lesser-known, delicious cheeses to fit any budget. Love manchego or triple cream brie? Whole Foods Market has Certified Cheese Professionals (more than half of the CCPs in the country work at Whole Foods Market) who can help you find exciting alternatives with comparable flavor profiles, but offer a cost savings from imported or well-known creameries.

Cheese We Love That is Available at Whole Foods

Doux De Montagne

Emmi Kaltbach Single Sourced Cave Aged Gruyere

Cypress Grove Chevre (all of the flavors are fantastic)

Saint Andre Triple Cream Brie

Whole Foods Brand Mozzarella

Seaside English Cheddar

Sartori Rum Runner

What types of cheese make it on your holiday cheese board? Does building one intimidate you? Ask your questions below or use the hash tag #GeekEats and we will help! Happy Holidays!

*The Geeks were given product samples by Whole Foods Market to facilitate the creation of this post; However, opinions are wholly our own. View our Disclosure Policy for more info.

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