The Platter Co

It is said you eat with your eyes first – and just one glimpse of a grazing board from The Platter Co may well fill you up. But when you taste it, you’ll find you have room left!

The concept is simple and beautifully executed: an array of bite-sized food (homemade or locally sourced, and organic and seasonal where possible), served on a large wooden board or in a platter box, creatively displayed to be a visual centrepiece as well as a food dish – and delivered to the client. Perfect to serve when a full meal is too much but a bowl of crisps is insufficient, the boards have the ‘wow’ factor in both style and substance.

Sally Andrew is the brains behind The Platter Co. She started the business in 2019 after living in Australia, where she was inspired by the way people often ate informally but presented the food beautifully. Bringing the ideas back to Tansor in north Northamptonshire, Sally began serving grazing boards to friends and family. Their enthusiasm was enough to convince Sally to turn it into a business.

The grazing boards can be filled with sweet and savoury foods to suit the time and occasion. Choose from breakfast boards with yoghurt and granola pots, mini pastries and cheeses, or lunch boards and antipasto boards filled with a delicious a mix of sweet and savoury pieces. Children’s party platters are popular and Sally can work to a theme if requested, ensuring all the ingredients are top-notch and as natural as possible (without losing their appeal to the younger diners!).

Although Sally offers ideas for boards, the customer can specify particular likes or dislikes. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free are well catered for, as are requests for specific foods where possible. If you choose a board instead of a platter box (the boards are rectangular, wooden and beautifully handmade locally) – these are bought as part of the package and yours to keep when you have finished (GFC members get a £5 discount on these boards).

We enjoyed an antipasti platter made up of high-quality cheeses, cold meats, olives and caper berries for savoury, and an array of amazing desserts including macarons, pomegranate panna cotta, mini cheesecakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries and fresh fruit. Served as a birthday celebration to accompany a glass of fizz with friends, it was perfect. The quality was excellent, the choice ample and the presentation stunning. Everyone enjoyed the range of foods and – as the hosts – we enjoyed having such a variety of food prepared by someone else and delivered to our door.

The boards are priced per head and costs vary according to the foods you choose. Delivery is free around Oundle, and there is a small delivery charge for surrounding areas.

Whether you are looking for food ideas for corporate meetings, celebrations and anniversaries, special events like Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day, Christmas or New Year’s Eve canapés, or just a special treat for a special person, The Platter Co will ensure the food is memorable and your job as host is made easier.

By Anna Forgaard