Charcuterie boards: juice groove vs bowls on the tray

A board with no plan turns into one puddle of olives, jam, and knife marks. Pick the shape for the job, then put wet food in bowls so the wood stays a serving surface.

Juice groove for fruit and tomato

A large wooden cutting board with a juice groove keeps citrus and tomato from running onto the table. Use this when you slice on the board. Do not use a pretty serving tray as a chopping block.

Ceramic bowls on the tray

Trays with 2, 3, or 4 ceramic dishes (square, triangular, lidded) hold olives, dip, and jam. Lazy Susans (13 inch and 15 inch) and octagon trays (13, 15, 17 inch) are for passing, not for carving.

Slate, bamboo, acacia

Slate and swiveling bamboo cheese boards with knives are for cheese and crackers. Round acacia boards are for a small plate of meat and fruit. Hand wash wood. Dry standing up. Oil when the grain looks thirsty. Shop these boards in the Linen & Ladle kitchen aisle.