Photo credits: Josh Neufeld Photography
Project: ETG Vancouver
Build a Stunning BC-Inspired Cheese Board
There's an art to building a cheese board that stops conversation — the kind where guests reach for another bite before they've finished the first. In Vancouver, we're lucky to have access to incredible local cheeses, artisanal preserves, and handcrafted condiments that make every board feel like a celebration of BC's food culture.
Chef Donya has spent years perfecting the balance of flavours on a cheese board, and her secret? It's all about contrast. Creamy against crunchy. Sweet against tangy. Mild against bold. Here's how to build the ultimate Vancouver-inspired cheese board at home.
Step 1: Choose Your Cheeses
Aim for 3–4 cheeses with different textures and intensities. A classic BC board might include:
- A soft, creamy cheese — brie or camembert from a local BC creamery
- A semi-firm aged cheese — aged cheddar or gouda
- A sharp, crumbly cheese — aged Manchego or pecorino
- A blue cheese — for the adventurous (pairs beautifully with sweet condiments)
Step 2: Add Your Artisanal Preserves & Pickles
This is where your board goes from good to unforgettable. The right condiments bridge the gap between cheeses and create moments of pure flavour magic.
Mischief Mango Pickle — Chef Donya's handcrafted Vancouver mango pickle is a revelation on a cheese board. Its sweet, tangy, and lightly spiced profile cuts beautifully through rich, fatty cheeses like brie or aged cheddar. Spoon a generous dollop alongside your softer cheeses and watch it disappear first.
Proper Pickled Beans — These crisp, crunchy organic green beans pickled with Persian shallots and herbs add a bright, refreshing bite that cleanses the palate between cheeses. Stand them upright in a small glass or fan them across the board for a dramatic visual effect. They're also a conversation starter — nobody expects a pickled bean on a cheese board, but everyone loves it.
Step 3: Add Your Crackers & Bread
Variety is key. Include:
- Plain water crackers (let the cheese and condiments shine)
- Seeded crackers or crispbreads for texture
- Sliced sourdough or a baguette from a local Vancouver bakery
Step 4: Fill the Gaps with Colour
A beautiful cheese board has color and abundance. Fill gaps with:
- Fresh grapes or sliced figs
- Candied walnuts or marcona almonds
- Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for garnish
- Dried apricots or cranberries
Step 5: The Vancouver Touch
What makes a cheese board distinctly Vancouver? Local ingredients and a chef's eye for flavour. Using small-batch, handcrafted condiments made right here in BC — like the preserves and pickles from Chef Donya's kitchen — connects your board to the rich food culture of our city.
Whether you're hosting a dinner party in Kitsilano, a wine night on the North Shore, or a casual gathering in East Van, a well-built cheese board with the right artisanal preserves is always the centrepiece of the table.
Shop the Board
Ready to build your own? Grab Mischief Mango Pickle and Proper Pickled Beans — both handcrafted in Vancouver by Chef Donya in small batches with no artificial preservatives.