The practice of presenting food artistically and abstractly on a board, commonly referred to as a charcuterie board, has been a trend since 2020, continuing to grow in popularity. Serving as a dynamic and enjoyable method to showcase culinary offerings during gatherings, the creation of a tasteful charcuterie board can initially seem overwhelming. Recognizing this, the Muhlenberg County FCS agent offered a Charcuterie 101 class, strategically scheduled for the holiday season. This educational class covered the history of the charcuterie boards and their origins. Participants were guided on how to craft 3 unique boards: a large meat and cheese board, a small fruit and cheese board, and a budget-friendly hot chocolate board. This class also emphasized the critical aspect of food safety in the context of charcuterie boards. The Muhlenberg County Extension Office facilitated two class sessions at 11 AM limited to 20 participants and 5:30 PM limited to 23 participants, totaling 43 participants. Following the class participants were able to taste all 3 charcuterie boards and engage in a question-and-answer session.

Comments shared from participants included:

"Great class, I loved it."

"The hot cocoa board was a great idea. Perfect for the holidays. Good Class!"

"I loved the class! I can't wait for the next one!"

"Great class! I enjoyed it and learned a lot!"