Cheese Plates

[MariDisney]

I can't believe I am asking this question. Who can tell me the mechanics of eating a cheese plate? I am thinking about ordering some on our upcoming trip with DxDDP. I am a bit of a stickler of table manners, including using the right fork, etc. I would not order one if I didn't know the correct way to eat it. It seems like the plates offered have several kinds of cheese, some starch items (breads, crackers, etc.) and some fruits/spreads, etc.

So, does one use a fork? fingers? combination?

I'd appreciate any advice!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

So, does one use a fork? fingers? combination?

Yes, to all above.
. . . use the master cheese knife to cut the cheese/fruit (not knife from your plate)
. . . don't handle the cheese block or fruit block with fingers
. . . once slice(s) cut, move to your plate
. . . if cheese/fruit comes pre-cut, move pieces to your plate
. . . do not take cheese/fruit from master cheese board directly to your mouth
. . . cut cheese further, if needed, with the knife from your place setting
. . . pick up cheese with fingers if not using on bread/cracker
. . . pick up cheese with cheese fork or fingers to place on bread/cracker
. . . pick up bread/cracker with fingers to eat

NOTE: If at a very sophisticated eatery or dinner party, use a fork to handle cheese at all times (whether to mouth or to bread/cracker), and do not use fingers to touch cheese, even on your own plate. This prevents the fingers from getting sticky should you interact with others, eg. shaking hands, pointing, "talking" with your hands (Italian style).

 

[MariDisney]

Yes, to all above.
. . . use the master cheese knife to cut the cheese/fruit (not knife from your plate)
. . . don't handle the cheese block or fruit block with fingers
. . . once slice(s) cut, move to your plate
. . . if cheese/fruit comes pre-cut, move pieces to your plate
. . . do not take cheese/fruit from master cheese board directly to your mouth
. . . cut cheese further, if needed, with the knife from your place setting
. . . pick up cheese with fingers if not using on bread/cracker
. . . pick up cheese with cheese fork or fingers to place on bread/cracker
. . . pick up bread/cracker with fingers to eat

NOTE: If at a very sophisticated eatery or dinner party, use a fork to handle cheese at all times (whether to mouth or to bread/cracker), and do not use fingers to touch cheese, even on your own plate. This prevents the fingers from getting sticky should you interact with others, eg. shaking hands, pointing, "talking" with your hands (Italian style).

Thank you!! This is exactly what I needed to know.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Thank you!! This is exactly what I needed to know.

1) You are welcome.
2) Experience from far too many business parties and political conventions.

 

[Anglefan]

2) Experience from far too many business parties and political conventions.

So are you also an expert at awkward dancing?

 

[engle]

What if it is a personal plate...like at V&A??

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I had to laugh when I saw this post because I'm a cheesemonger. I don't even know the proper manners to eat cheese. I figure as long as you didn't pick your nose then pick up a piece of cheese, things are good.

 

[megrod74]

I wonder why it's inappropriate to put the cheese directly into your mouth from the master cheese board. What's the pit stop on your personal plate do?

 

[spider0215]

You're on vacation nobody is going to care. Cut it and eat it. I can't believe people obsess over something like this. Whatever happened to just having a good time?

 

[GBBTomorrow]

You're on vacation nobody is going to care. Cut it and eat it. I can't believe people obsess over something like this. Whatever happened to just having a good time?

I totally see your point, and to each his/her own, but for some people learning those fine points IS part of the fun of enjoying a nice restaurant. It's not that anybody is going to care; it's just part of the experience that some people enjoy.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

So are you also an expert at awkward dancing?

1) Actually, I ballroom dance quite well.
2) However, still having problems with "The Potomac Two-Step".

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I use my knife and cut it if I'm putting it on bread, otherwise I just pick it up and eat it. The right way to eat it sounds so extreme, but more power to those who want to eat it that way.

 

[MariDisney]

You're on vacation nobody is going to care. Cut it and eat it. I can't believe people obsess over something like this. Whatever happened to just having a good time?

I know what you're saying. But, for me, I won't have a good time if I don't eat it the "right" way. I'm not obsessed over it. Trust me. But, eating properly is something that helps me have a good time. If you don't want to do it that way, that's absolutely fine with me. Please respect my wish to do it differently.

 

[spider0215]

I'm not saying not to eat how you want. Haven't you ever just wanted to let your hair down and enjoy yourself instead of being hung up on eating properly. Nobody eats more proper at a formal dinner table than I. Can even tell you the proper name for each utensil in a 12 piece meal setting but I would never worry about that at a place as casual as Disney. Actually the proper way to eat a Cheese course is between the dinner and desert but I doubt if it's served in that order.

 

[MariDisney]

I'm not saying not to eat how you want. Haven't you ever just wanted to let your hair down and enjoy yourself instead of being hung up on eating properly. Nobody eats more proper at a formal dinner table than I. Can even tell you the proper name for each utensil in a 12 piece meal setting but I would never worry about that at a place as casual as Disney. Actually the proper way to eat a Cheese course is between the dinner and desert but I doubt if it's served in that order.

Yes, of course. In fact I just ordered a pizza with sausage and pepporoni and will probably have most of it on my shirt before I'm done. However, I would prefer to know the proper way to eat it and follow that protocol in this situation (e.g., at a restaurant and not at home). These restaurants aren't casuel enough for me to want to eat the whole thing with my fingers or whatever.

You're right, in all the WDW restaurants, except for V&A it seems to be served as an appetizer and not later in the meal.

 

[Silver Queen]

Very nice, Rusty Scupper, and very informative! I, too, like to follow etiquette protocol when I'm in a nice restaurant (vacation or not). I also relax and let my hair down a lot at Disney, especially on Splash Mountain, BTMRR, TOT, Typhoon Lagoon, etc. Having fun at Disney can happen in many different ways at different times.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

However, I would prefer to know the proper way to eat it and follow that protocol in this situation

1) It is not so much "following protocol".
2) It actually increases the enjoyment.
3) The process or protocol makes it a little more formal.
4) It also slows things down and gives time to relax and then enjoy.
5) Also makes time, and almost forces conversation

5) My Example1:
. . . shave with Gillette Foamy by slapping lathering, then whacking with a razor
. . . shave with a soap mug, by slowly lathering and shave
. . . the experiences are different and the latter more enjoyable
. . . if shaving is ever enjoyable
6) My Exampel2:
. . . buying a REALLY good steak
. . . cutting off large bites and shoving into mouth, one bite after another
. . . cutting off small bites, put in mouth, rest fork on table until chewed
. . . one enjoys the steak better by savoring each bite completely
7) My Example3:
. . . buy a good bottle of wine have it opened and start to consume
. . . buy a good bottle of wine, test cork, let wine sit/breathe, taste & consume
. . . the pageantry can heighten the experience
. . . even if the outcome is to drink the wine

 

[MariDisney]

1) It is not so much "following protocol".
2) It actually increases the enjoyment.
3) The process or protocol makes it a little more formal.
4) It also slows things down and gives time to relax and then enjoy.
5) Also makes time, and almost forces conversation

5) My Example1:
. . . shave with Gillette Foamy by slapping lathering, then whacking with a razor
. . . shave with a soap mug, by slowly lathering and shave
. . . the experiences are different and the latter more enjoyable
. . . if shaving is ever enjoyable
6) My Exampel2:
. . . buying a REALLY good steak
. . . cutting off large bites and shoving into mouth, one bite after another
. . . cutting off small bites, put in mouth, rest fork on table until chewed
. . . one enjoys the steak better by savoring each bite completely
7) My Example3:
. . . buy a good bottle of wine have it opened and start to consume
. . . buy a good bottle of wine, test cork, let wine sit/breathe, taste & consume
. . . the pageantry can heighten the experience
. . . even if the outcome is to drink the wine

Yes! Thank you. I think that was the overall point I was trying to make, but failed. I was just now reviewing the menus of the places we're dining on our upcoming trip, and it looks like at least 4 have cheese plates (Narcoossees, Flying Fish, Chefs de France, and Rose and Crown). I am currently planning to order them at each restaurant and am very much looking forward to experiencing the wide varieties I will taste.

Has anyone had any of those I've mentioned? Any reviews?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I'm not saying not to eat how you want. Haven't you ever just wanted to let your hair down and enjoy yourself instead of being hung up on eating properly. Nobody eats more proper at a formal dinner table than I. Can even tell you the proper name for each utensil in a 12 piece meal setting but I would never worry about that at a place as casual as Disney. Actually the proper way to eat a Cheese course is between the dinner and desert but I doubt if it's served in that order.

When I ate at CA Grill I had it between dinner and dessert.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I think you could probably order the cheese plate whenever in the meal you like, as an appetizer or between the entree and dessert, or use it as a dessert so long as you're not on the dining plan. I know Artist's Point also offers a cheese plate but I'll focus on the ones from the places you mentioned.

Narcooses: Humboldt Fog is a goat cheese that has a layer of edible ash in the middle. It ripens from the outside in, so you'll likely see a very creamy paste around the outer edge, then a firmer, whiter paste towards the middle. It's fairly rich and quite popular with those who like goat cheese. Cashel Blue is one of a few blue cheeses made in Ireland. It's quite mild and spreadable at room temp, which is when they should be serving all these cheeses fyi, very good on crusty bread. Tete De Moine is in the swiss family. The trick to this cheese is to shave it very very thin, you'll get the best flavor that way. There's actually a device that's reminiscent of a shaving corkscrew that's meant for a cheese like this, and one label for Tete De Moine actually shows a monk using this device to shave the cheese down. I'd start with either the Cashel or Humboldt, and finish with the Tete De Moine.

Chef De France- Hard to say because I can't find a list of what cheeses are served. I'd count on a brie or camembert, maybe Emmental which is a french style swiss... I'm sure you could ask your server, or the server will be able to find someone there who can tell you what each cheese is and which order they'd best be enjoyed in.

Rose and Crown- Irish Cheddar is awesome. I've had 3, and all have been amazing, particular if you happen to get one called "Irish Reserve". You'll probably get Dubliner, not sure between regular or vintage, but really any Irish cheddar I've tried has been awesome. It's not especially sharp, a little dry, and you'll probably feel a little bit of crunchiness to it. More often than not, if you come across a cheese that has little crystals in it that crunch, it's not salt, it's lactic acid. It's a good thing to see, and you'll find them most in aged cheeses. Mushroom Brie is good if you like mushrooms. Brie itself can have a mushroomy flavor to it, especially in the rind (the white mold on the outside, which is entirely edible) but most people will describe brie as a fairly mild spreadable buttery cheese. The last thing is the Stilton Pastry, I've never had it but I've had the cheese. It's an English blue cheese, firmer and on the stronger side, it has a distinctive flavor. I'd start with the Mushroom brie, probably move onto the Stilton pastry depending on how strong it is, and end with the cheddar.

Flying Fish- what I'm reading from (allears.net) doesn't list the actual cheeses, just the accompaniments. Like with Narcoose's, you should be able to ask what they are and what order to best eat them in.

In general, whenever you're trying more than one cheese it's best to start with the mildest and move up to the strongest, that way you're palette won't be worn out so to speak and the mild cheese won't be overpowered by the strong ones. Try to take smaller bites or spread just a bit on to the cracker/bread to start out with, because taking large hunks in your mouth can almost give you a false taste, it can overwhelm you very easily (I made this mistake with a wonking big hunk of Parmigiano Reggiano). The accompaniments are meant to be tasted both with and without the cheese. You'll find putting some of them, be it fruit or compotes, with the cheese will give you a totally different experience tastewise. Don't be afraid of them, especially if you're just starting out. In the 2 years I've been working with cheese, I'll eat stuff now that I would have never dreamed of when I started.