Checkerboard Chalet Cheese Meats (Printable)

A playful 3D chalet made from stacked cheese cubes and cured meats, perfect for impressive party servings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 0.6 inch cubes and slices
02 - 7 oz Swiss cheese, cut into 0.6 inch cubes and slices

→ Meats

03 - 7 oz smoked ham, cut into 0.6 inch cubes and slices
04 - 7 oz salami, cut into 0.6 inch cubes and slices

→ Garnishes & Extras

05 - 16 small fresh chives (for logs or roof beams)
06 - 8 cherry tomatoes, halved (optional, for decoration)
07 - 1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley (for greenery)
08 - 8 toothpicks or short skewers (for stability)

# Directions:

01 - Cut all cheeses and meats into uniform cubes and slices approximately 0.6 inches for a precise checkerboard effect.
02 - Arrange cheese slices (cheddar, Swiss) and meat slices (ham, salami) alternately on a large serving platter in a 4x4 grid, positioning them tightly to create a clear checkerboard pattern.
03 - Stack alternating cheese and meat cubes in a square footprint with 4 cubes per layer for 3 to 4 layers, securing each layer with toothpicks or short skewers as needed.
04 - Place cheese slices or cubes at an angle atop the stack to form a roof, securing decorative beams made from chives. Garnish the chalet perimeter with halved cherry tomatoes and parsley to simulate a garden pathway.
05 - Present immediately, providing small forks or cocktail picks to facilitate self-service.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's completely gluten-free and low-carb, so everyone at the table can enjoy it without worry.
  • The architectural element gives you an instant conversation starter that feels far more impressive than the thirty minutes of prep it actually takes.
  • Once you understand the pattern, you can swap cheeses and meats based on what's in your fridge, making it endlessly adaptable.
02 -
  • Room temperature cheese and cured meats are easier to work with and taste better than cold ones straight from the fridge—pull everything out fifteen minutes before you start building.
  • If your tower starts to lean, don't panic; a single toothpick inserted at an angle can be your structural savior, and guests will never know it's there.
03 -
  • Prep all your cutting twenty minutes before guests arrive, then assemble the chalet just before serving so the cubes stay firm and the colors don't fade.
  • A slightly damp kitchen towel under your cutting board prevents it from sliding, and a damp paper towel in your hand keeps your fingers from getting slippery when stacking.
Go Back