Food stylist Megann Evans shares her top tips to make your next platter berry beautiful.
Simple to stunning
Fresh Aussie raspberries and blackberries are a must for grazing boards. Their flavour profile cuts through rich, creamy and salty accompaniments, and they are also a great palate cleanser between flavours. Visually, the brightness of the raspberries and depth of the blackberries add great contrast to the board.
Perfect pairings
Fresh berries pair perfectly with cheeses. Opt for an assortment of good quality soft and hard cheeses with different flavours, textures and colours – think white rind, blue, red wax and yellow.
Texture is key
Texture is often a forgotten style component. Keep it interesting with smooth and coarse crackers, dehydrated fruits and lusciously plump fresh raspberries and blackberries. Try scrunching brown parchment paper underneath cheeses – it is visually beautiful and adds texture.
Go with the flow
Arrange your ingredients in curves, an “S” or in triangles for striking visual balance. Avoid large mounds or sections; separate produce and spread it out. Place your most solid and largest pieces first, then work your way down to the smaller pieces.
Props, props, props
Use a neutral colour palette for props – bowls, plates, serving trays, dishes and cutlery – to make the berries pop. The more unique the props, the better, so keep an eye out at secondhand stores or markets.
Gorgeous garnish
For a green and gorgeous finish, and to perfectly contrast the fresh berries and add texture, garnish with herbs such as bay leaves, rosemary or lemon thyme.
It’s Aussie raspberry & blackberry season!
Australian raspberry and blackberry growers have enjoyed perfect growing conditions this season, thanks to warm days and cool nights in the southern regions, resulting in high-quality volumes of these super berries.
From simple to super!
Entertaining special
Add fresh Aussie raspberries and blackberries to grazing boards (as above), salads and desserts for a burst of colour and flavour.
Perfect pairing
Raspberries go with rhubarb, thyme, ginger, stone fruits, lemon, vanilla, goats cheese, ricotta, kangaroo, chocolate and ice cream.
Blackberries go with almonds, duck, venison, beef, black pepper, cinnamon, stone fruits, melon, lemon, chocolate and cream.
Everyday special
Make simple things super – sprinkle your berries on cereal, yoghurt, fruit salad and cheese platters. Or, try combinations like sweet raspberries with crunchy nuts to add a burst of sweetness.
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