Go grazing this Diwali with these expert tips on presenting artfully laid tables

Lunch buffet is passe. Add posh dhamaka to your taash party with these artfully laid out tables of nibbles

Heaps of gourmet foods, artfully presented on a tabletop, with no plates on the side to pile your food in. Move over old-school buffet—informal, but opulent grazing tables that you can straight nibble from are here. “Pick up cheese and crackers while you’re in a conversation over a cocktail in hand. Munch through different offerings on the table throughout the evening and you have a truly modern, chilled-out, engaging party,” says Nidhi Chandra of Graiz.

The concept of grazing is believed to have started in Australia and the world has happily followed. “In India, we’re still learning and adapting to the concept,” says Chandra. “Since the lockdown, we have witnessed an uptake in the sale of our grazing products, and it’s great to see people enjoying the concept. The wholesomeness, convenience, diversity and attractive foods in a pretty set-up have contributed to its growing popularity. It manages to impress every kind of guest. The fact that it requires no serving, chopping, or cutting, aligns with the new-age idea of hosting easy-going meet-ups.”

‘Start with local ingredients and cheese’

Nidhi Chandra recommends adding some drama to the decor of the table laden with cheese, fruits, artisanal bread, and charcuterie (meat) with festive accents. These products form the base of any ideal grazing table. One can easily set up a grazing table using locally-sourced fruits, nuts and artisanal cheese. “There are no rules; just have fun along the way and give it your personal touch,” she adds.

‘Layer the layout across levels to make it interesting’

Mona Dalal suggests converting home food into interesting bite-sized portions to make it an evening to remember. Pic/Sameer Markande

Chef Mona Dalal suggests a grazing table adorned with flowers and laid out in layers. “Plan the theme and layout and when you have it ready, light those candles, dress up the platform and be the perfect hostess,” says Dalal. Her brand Menuscipt sends over the food for a grazing table dressed up on a platter so guests don’t have to bother with prep. However, if you plan on making food on your own, Dalal recommends converting your ghar ka khana into small plates. For Sunday mid-day, Dalal curated a grazing table of traditional desi food with a fusion twist—a spread of desi cheese platters, artisanal cheese boards and a signature rose garden. There are also pick-me-up hors-d’oeuvres, small Indian tapas bowls and artisanal cakes and desserts to complete it.

‘English high tea is great for ladies’ Diwali taash party’

Add a sophisticated touch to your grazing tables by making it a high tea experience, says Chef Raji Gupta. Pic/Sameer Markande

Chef Raji Gupta, who often entertains at home, feels that the high tea-themed grazing table is a great way of offering your guests a richer experience. “Diwali is all about family and friends, food and cards,” says Gupta. “A decadent alternative for a buffet, grazing tables are way cooler and visually stunning and food is not wasted. It is bite-sized, so you only take as much as you want. A well-planned grazing table is often the talk of the party. Try and do something new for the taash party. I’d recommend an English high tea table full of scones, cakes and sandwiches. Spread it well so that it doesn’t look messy and don’t put all the food out at once. Replenish as required.”

High Tea menu card

>> Cucumber yuzu sandwiches
>> Sun-dried tomato-mushroom on toast
>> Fresh fruits
>> Scones
>> Clotted cream
>> Vanilla cookies
>> Shortbread cookies
>> Orange bar cake
>> Fudge chocolate cake
>> Orange marmalade relish
>> Fig and walnut relish

‘The Mediterranean theme always bowls guests over’

Chef Guntas Bhasin feels a well-laid Mediterranean table is the easiest way to impress any guest, including the health-conscious ones. Pic/Atul Kamble

Chef Guntas Sethi Bhasin thinks grazing tables expand your food sensibilities and help you bond over eats. “You can play around with ingredients, condiments, crackers, cheese, and fruits—the vibrancy encapsulates the festive vibe, and it allows you to express yourself,” she adds. “Play with foods of different  textures, colours and flavours, and see it come together beautifully. A Mediterranean table can have lavash, pita bread, baba ganoush, hummus, dips, pickles, labneh, chips, olives, tabouleh and batata hara.”

Cheese board tips

Try a variety of flavours: Pair a log of cheese topped with nuts (pistachio and almonds) with a balsamic vinegar dip on the side. You can even add spiced cheese to the board.

Play with textures: Get your hands on a nice block of hard or semi-hard truffle cheese, add crackers, and pair it with fresh fruits.

Give it a festive touch: Add edible flowers and chocolate barks alongside dried fruits and nuts.

Aarathi A Arambhan’s grazing table styling tips

Settle on the look keeping in mind the aesthetic of your home. You could also choose a look that is in contrast to the vibe of your home. 

Bring together elements available at home—artworks, cushions or candles—to remix them as per your theme. Remember less is more because you want the spread to be noticed.

When you step back from the table and look at it from afar, make sure that there’s not too much clutter and that your decor looks balanced.

A lot can be done with local flowers—marigolds, rajnigandha. Bring out the best in your arrangement by using them creatively.

Indian festive menu

>> Desi cheese platter
>> Plum chilli artisanal
>> Truffle edamame rose garden
>> Mango jalapeno rose
>> Papadum mezze (crunchy assorted papadums with dips)
>> Cocktail nut platter
>> Signature truffle cashews

Artisanal bread

>> Vada pav pull-apart with burrata creme and truffle chilli
>> Pav bhaji loaf
>> Thecha babka
>> Dum aloo galette
>> Samosa cones
>> Chana masala puffs
>> Sabudana waffles with honey chilli drizzle
>> Dabelli bruschetta
>> Kulcha paneer makhni boats
>> Thalipeeth lavache and thecha fondue

Pakora bar

>> Achari broccoli pakoras
>> Cauliflower wings
>> Zucchini lacha fritters
>> Chatpata baby corn crispies
>> Kale pakoras

Chaat

>> Dahiwada cheese
>> Thai kachori chaat
>> Cucumber sevpuri
>> Asparagus chaat
>> Avocado quinoa bhel

Artisanal desserts

>> Rose pistachio cake
>> Saffron cardamom cake
>> Rose falooda tres leche
>> Skinny shrikhand jars 
>> Saffron boondi cake
>> Thandai cake
>> Rose phirni box

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