How to make the PERFECT Christmas platter: Caterer spills her industry secrets

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How to make the PERFECT Christmas platter: Caterer spills her industry secrets – from pairing rockmelon with prosciutto to swapping traditional biscuits for PEAR crackers

  • A professional caterer says a timber board is the perfect base for a platter 
  • Tania Pradun is the founder of Amazing Grazers in South Australia 
  • She also prefers to use her trendy pear crackers and a selection of three cheeses 

By Amelia Roach For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:


A professional platter maker from South Australia has shared some of her top tips and tricks for making the perfect grazing table for your guests this Christmas.

Tania Pradun the face behind ‘Amazing Grazers’, began her business in 2016 and since has catered thousands of events and started sharing viral creations on TikTok.

To create the perfect platter Tania says it all starts with the base, whether it be a decorative plate, a sturdy tray or even a trendy timber board.

Tania Pradun the face behind ‘ Amazing Grazers ‘, began her business in 2016 and since has catered for thousands of events and started sharing viral creations on TikTok

‘I prefer to use a timber board, I like the feel of it and I especially prefer cutting through cheese on to timber rather than on to crockery,’ Tania said. 

Once you’ve decided on a base it’s time for cheese, the professional caterer suggests a selection of soft, hard and marbled cheeses work best.

To accompany the cheeses always have bread or crackers, Tania’s pear crackers are another great addition and add a fresh crunch to the platter.

To create the perfect platter Tania Pradun [pictured] suggests starting with the base, whether it be a decorative plate, a sturdy tray or even a trendy timber board

To accompany the cheeses always have bread or crackers, Tania’s viral pear crackers are another great addition and add a fresh crunch to the platter

Tania’s TikTok party platter tricks:

 Salami roses – what you need: 

Pear crackers – what you need:

Berry stars – what you need: 

  • Blueberries
  • Chopping board 

Garnishes – what you need: 

  • Thyme sprig
  • Edible flowers
  • Sesame seeds 

Toothpick treats – what you need 

  • Toothpicks
  • Fresh basil
  • Balsamic glaze 
  • Feta 
  • Grape tomatoes 
  • Baby bocconcini balls 
  • Watermelon 
  • Fresh mint 

When it comes to serving meat on platters, Tania suggests to stick to a variety. 'My go to deli meats to cater for all palates are a smoked ham and a mild salami,' she said, For the more adventurous palettes she recommends prosciutto, hot cacciatore or peppercorn mortadella

When it comes to serving meat on platters, Tania suggests to stick to a variety. ‘My go to deli meats to cater for all palates are a smoked ham and a mild salami,’ she said, For the more adventurous palettes she recommends prosciutto, hot cacciatore or peppercorn mortadella

When it comes to serving meat on platters, Tania suggests to stick to a variety. ‘My go to deli meats to cater for all palates are a smoked ham and a mild salami,’ she said. 

For the more adventurous palates she recommends prosciutto, hot cacciatore or peppercorn mortadella. 

An imperative part to any platter, according to the TikTok platter star, are the side elements and ‘accompaniments’. 

When creating a party platter it's important to balance colour and to consider fruits and vegetables by grouping them with complementary items. 'I will often put prosciutto next to rockmelon and cornichons with my pate,' Tania said

When creating a party platter it’s important to balance colour and to consider fruits and vegetables by grouping them with complementary items. ‘I will often put prosciutto next to rockmelon and cornichons with my pate,’ Tania said

She often pairs walnuts with cheese, pear and honeycomb but strays from pairing the components with glazed nuts as ‘they’re not a great cheese partner’. 

When creating a party platter it’s important to balance colour and to consider fruits and vegetables by grouping them with complementary items. ‘I will often put prosciutto next to rockmelon and cornichons with my pate,’ Tania said.

To bring effortless festive flair to party platters create a red and green theme. Use cherries, berries, pomegranate, grapes and rosemary to add a Christmas touch. 

To bring effortless festive flair to party platters create a red and green theme. Use cherries, berries, pomegranate, grapes and rosemary to add a Christmas touch

To bring effortless festive flair to party platters create a red and green theme. Use cherries, berries, pomegranate, grapes and rosemary to add a Christmas touch

‘If you have the time and want to get really clever then arranging your items in the shape of a wreath or tree is another fun way to serve a holiday board,’ Tania said.

With almost 380,000 TikTok followers the Amazing Grazers platform continues to grow and gain fans who are eager to learn Tania’s tips.  

The Amazing Grazers founder says it only takes three things to create the perfect platter ‘time, a bit of creative flair and a good selection of delicious food’.