Nothing says holiday entertaining like a robust and inviting charcuterie board, and ALDI is helping hosts and food lovers take their boards to a whole new level with its first-ever ‘Charcuterie Board of Directors.’ This panel of charcuterie aficionados was assembled to inspire novices and connoisseurs alike in the quest to build the most innovative and festive boards this holiday season all with Aldi Retail Brand products.

Meet the ALDI Charcuterie Board of Directors

The Charcuterie Board of Directors is composed of seven pros across food, wine and all things delectable. Their unique expertise not only defines their role on the board but also serves as the solution to any charcuterie conundrum.

• Kim Brazington is a distinguished American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional and oversees the entire cheese selection for ALDI stores Her knack (and nose) for cheese helps curate a robust selection of delicious, award-winning cheeses at unbelievably low prices. As the official Cheese Queen, Kim inspires unexpected combos to elevate any board to a culinary sensation.
• Sarah Crawford (@bromabakery) is the Boston-based food blogger behind Broma Bakery and founder and creator of the Foodtography School. As the designated Sweet Talker, her sugar expertise in the kitchen translates into a surprisingly sweet spin on traditional charcuterie
• Gaby Dalkin (@whatsgabycookin) is an LA-based chef, recipe developer and best-selling author whose California-style cooking has won the hearts and stomachs of food lovers everywhere. The Charcuterie Chef will lead the way to boards that explode with full sensory
• Rosalynn Daniels (@rosalynndaniels) of Atlanta is a lifestyle expert who has a passion for recreating memorable dining and entertaining experiences for the As the resident Family Foodie, she fuses her love of cosmopolitan style with the realities of family life to build a board that is as beautiful as it is pleasing, to even the pickiest eaters.
• Kasim Hardaway (@kasimjhardaway) of Kansas City is an environmental scientist-turned-foodie and culinary photographer with an insatiable appetite and thriving foodstagram channel. The Recipe Realist breaks it down so any board can be approachable yet still drool-worthy
• Marissa Mullen (@thatcheeseplate) is a Brooklyn-based best-selling author, food stylist and the creator of the Cheese By Numbers Method, a step-by-step approach to styling a unique spread. Her global online community and her ability to help make a picture-perfect board every time has earned her the title of Spread Stylista.
• Sarah Tracey (@thelushlife) is a New York City sommelier who regales her social media followers with inspired wine tastings and food pairings, plus on-trend entertaining tips. The true Wine Whisperer will make sure every board has the perfect sipping companion every

Charcuterie boards are long-standing, pre-meal favorites in restaurants and as home entertaining centerpieces. However, the conventional appetizer spreads are being reimagined as creative grazing platters for all occasions and seasons. As the culinary trend progresses, the quest for inspiration and guidance grows: Online searches about charcuterie are up nearly 300% in the past 12 months.*

Given this across-the-board craving for building a fabulous display of meats, cheeses and more, the ALDI Charcuterie Board of Directors will offer board-styling guidance through stop-motion videos, virtual demonstrations and an array of build-by-number templates, which can be found at www.aldi.us/charcuterie.

Once inspired, making an #ALLALDI charcuterie board is as easy as a quick shop or curbside pickup at your nearest ALDI location. While in-store, customers should look for the “Charcuterie Board Must-Have” shopping guide and tags on an array of cured meats, cheeses and add-on accoutrements to ensure they are stocking up on charcuterie favorites or finding new products to round out a beautiful board.

“Whether someone is looking for tried-and-true pairings for their first board or is a confident foodie who wants to experiment with new combinations, our aim is to inspire board builders of all experience levels with impressive, approachable, affordable ideas,” said Kim Brazington, the Cheese Queen on the ALDI Charcuterie Board of Directors and ALDI Buying Director for cheese. “The ALDI team has curated charcuterie must-haves that are easy to spot in stores this season. With a few tips, a little inspiration and a wide selection of cheese, meats and other grazing essentials throughout our aisles, ALDI has what shoppers need to build boards they’ll be proud to serve.”

Tips from the ALDI Tastemakers

The perfect charcuterie board includes five key elements drawn from the retailer popular private brands:

1. Cheese: Crumbly, soft, hard or aged, you really can’t go wrong with Variety adds interest to a board. The Cheese Queen Kim has crowned the private brand Emporium Selection Blue Cheese Wedge and 4-Year Aged Cheddar as some of her favorites.
2. Meat: Grab a variety of meat — some cured, some spicy and some thinly sliced to please a

Priano Italian Dry-Cured Meats including the speck, salami and prosciutto are all board approved.

3. Crunch: Whether it’s crackers, carrots, breadsticks or roasted nuts, crunchy foods add texture to

every bite. Specially Selected Crostini Crackers and Southern Grove Pistachios add the perfect touch to any board.

4. Sweet: From mild melon and tomato to a sweeter fig spread and chocolate, round out savory flavors with sweet Try the private brand Choceur Dark or Milk Chocolate Covered Almonds, which are endorsed by Sweet Talker Sarah.
5. Savory: Salty items, like olives, mustard and cornichons, make other flavors Start with the board-certified Specially Selected Cheese Stuffed Queen Olives and add on from there.

For board-building tips and inspiration, visit www.aldi.us/charcuterie and check out the ALDI USA and Charcuterie Board of Directors’ Instagram pages. Proud board builders can also share their charcuterie creations on social media, mention @ALDIUSA and use hashtag #ALLALDI for a chance to earn the Charcuterie Board of Directors stamp of approval and social media bragging rights