Last Minute Summer Gathering by @cheesebynumbers
If you don’t already, you need to follow @cheesebynumbers, a cheese plate inspiration Instagram account by Marissa Mullen, the same cheese lover who brought us @thatcheeseplate. Mullen launched her original account in 2014 as a fun resource for assembling cheese plates. Her following has since grown into a community of over 35,000 cheese lovers. While Mullen plates and shoots her own platters for inspiration, she also reposts other beautiful creations from around the world.
On her new account, which she has developed as an extension of the original, she produces only original content and shares tips for creating your own cheese plate. Inspired by the paint-by-numbers concept, @cheesebynumbers takes something that can feel too intimidating to create on your own and turns it into an easy, approachable—and edible— expression of creativity.
We especially love @cheesebynumbers for its inventive themes and pairings, like the nutella, strawberries, and brie found on the “Netflix and Chill” plate. All of the illustrations for @cheesebynumbers are exclusively created by Mullen’s friend Sara Gilanchi. According to Mullen, “once you know what to buy and the order in which to build, everyone can make a beautiful cheese plate at home.”
And once you follow @cheesebynumbers, you’ll know exactly what (and how) to prepare for your next cheese party. Here are some of our favorite @cheesebynumbers plates, complete with Mullen’s pointers.
This Netflix and Chill plate is everything you’ve ever wanted for a night in. Fig jam is a go-to for Mullen, who adds in nuts and popcorn “because you need a little crunch!”
Meat styling can make all the difference on a cheese plate. Mullen loves adding prosciutto and salami to her cheese plates. “The salty complexion pairs well with the lighter cheeses and adds a fun texture to the plate,” she says. We couldn’t agree more.
For this Spring Party plate, Mullen uses a variety of cheeses—goat, brie, blue, and Gruyère—because “you want to be able to give your taste buds a party,” she says.
Fruit is essential on a cheese plate, Mullen asserts. “Recently, I’ve been finding dragon fruit at the grocery store which has a beautiful color. Fresh figs are a must too,” she says.
While adding carnations to a cheese plate might seem like overkill to the untrained cheese plate assembler, Mullen says, “Greenery and flowers really bring cheese plates to another level.” Try out this Last Minute Summer Gathering plate to really wow your friends.
Photo credit @cheesebynumbers
Sam Jones
Sam Jones is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Agriculture, Food, and Environment at Tufts University. She has worked on organic vegetable farms in France, Scotland, and Washington as well as on a chicken and pig farm in Colorado. She is passionate about telling farmers' stories and exploring the varied agricultural methods that go into making delicious cheese around the world.
