Charcuterie plays on

Game Day is a important for our species. To watch others put in the effort of pushing physical boundaries, the spectators instead push the boundaries of their bellies. Think couches, sweatpants, worries-be-gone...this is the ultimate day of comfort. Why shouldn’t the food be the same.

The typical go-to’s are greasy, messy, grab-by-the-handful items that may comfort our taste buds, not always leaving our stomachs comfortable. This is why we began to change up our Game Day and focus on all around comfort. What can satisfy our pallets and still make you crave the next bite.

The board acts as a daring piece of plateware. It’s flat surface says “I will not protect you from the mess that may ensue”, but isn’t it so chic. You will line up the items in unmarked areas of the board, freeing the boundaries for different tastes to intermingle real estate. Pushing you to mix and match items at your own free will. How invigorating.

The meats act as a centerpiece. They are the sacrifice for our comfort. And as so, should be at the helm. Lovely sun dried tomato turkey, goose liver pâté and different salami variations. Neatly sliced into asymmetrical portions. With desire comes great restraint. Do not indulge without knowing the outer fabric of this feast.

The next group to join the party is the cheeses. Some soft spread of smooth dairy delights. Some hard aged cheddar hanging on to its last days with lovely bitterness. The different textures and tastes leave you wandering to the next for a bite. Mistress to the meat, it hangs in the shadows waiting for the next predator.

On the other side, the gang of fruit. Apples, strawberries, grapes, bringing different dimensions to the sweet side. The mouth waters thinking of the different element. These pump you with life, blood flowing, oxygen carried with each blood cell. Adding flavours not sought, but welcomed with open arms.

The piece that wraps these foods together, is the bread. Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, crackers or soft loaves, the bread acts as the magic carpet to deliver the tasty trident. Honey mustard dipped or fruit infused wafers, they add the perfect first layer to a tiered fusion. Adding more is not only an indulgence, but an addiction.

If you can wrap many foods together, in perfect union, brings joys to each tastebud. The charcuterie board leaves the eater to be an artist. Create in ways only you can. Bring to your body in forms that only you know are desired. Pull in the perfect ratios, ringing the old fashioned bells of dinner time at any time.

The game day ritual starts with social interaction with food and drink. The game day ritual ends in the very same fashion. The time carefully spent on each array of colors and tastes, leaves the overindulgence at the door. The slow pace gives you the breathe to focus and enjoy every bite. It couldn’t come at a better time when the intent is to disregard tradition to overmanipulate your mind on level of hunger.

Interpret the intent of the person who prepares the board. Understand their priority and make it your own. This is where the challenge of other foods do not give the eater the authority to do so. It can open doors in the culinary hotel and be ever changing as to not disturb, not upset. This is for us, by us. This is for the interpretation while respecting the interpreter. The angles placed, the painted aura, the smells holding you in the comfort of more. All for game day, to forget everything else, but humanity, the game, comrades and a full belly.