Some are Silver and the Other Gold
Serving Platters are a Food Canvas
Since creating beautiful displays of grazing platters and charcuterie boards is what I do, you can imagine I have quite the collection of serving trays, platters, and boards. My love of creating these pieces of edible art is not only about the beauty and taste of the foods, but the beauty of what I’m serving those foods on matters as well. The serving platters are like blank canvases, ready to be created on. Oakford Gourmet’s catering really is a piece of art from start to finish. Because of this, one of the most common questions I get is “where do you get your serving platters from?”
Finding Second Hand Serving Platters
There are so many great places to buy new serving boards, trays and platters brand new. But, one of my favorite ways to buy them is second-hand. I love the hunt of searching for a platter and imagining what dinners and parties it was used for. I also love the surprise of finding a platter or tray that I wasn’t expecting to find, and is just too beautiful to pass up. Plus, finding these second-hand saves you money and is sustainable for the environment.
Older serving platters and trays usually aren’t the kind you find new in stores. They usually have unique colors, shapes, and features which allows me to bring in additional flair into a grazing table presentation. Displays aren't all about the food - the serving platters add that perfect final touch.
Where To Find Serving Platters
My favorite places to find old platters, trays, and serving boards are:
Estate sales: This is my favorite place to start my platter treasure hunt. Most estate sales always include kitchen and serving items and are usually always ornate and just need a bit of polishing to spruce them up.
Garage sales: Garage sales are more of a treasure hunt since you don’t always know what to expect. But that’s part of the fun of “sale-ing!” You never know what serving pieces you may find. Plus, they're usually unique and won't be found anywhere else.
Secondhand Stores: Secondhand stores can be hit or miss with what you find, but sometimes you get lucky and find JUST the piece you didn’t know you needed.
What to Look For in Platters and Trays
There are a few key things to look out for when buying serving items:
Condition: Sometimes when you find these antique serving items, they can be rusted or chipped, which can add to the character of the board. If the chips are part of the aesthetic and have less splintering or breaking, that's a sign that it's ok to serve on. If the condition is still maintainable enough that they can be properly cleaned for serving food, then it’s usually ok to use.
Materials: I always make sure that the materials can be properly cleaned and safe to serve food on for consumption. You wouldn't want a material that you can't thoroughly clean before serving!
Colors: My most common board to serve food on is a round wooden board, but sometimes there’s a need for a pop of color, especially if I’m catering a reception or event that has a theme. It’s good to mix up color for the event, holiday, or just for a bit of flair to the table!
Height: Adding platters and trays at different heights really can make a table “pop” in design and gives it an added layer of visual interest.
Are you feeling confident in finding a hidden serving platter gem? Unique pieces are so fun to add to your kitchen collection. Happy treasure hunting!
Keep Grazing,
Karen
Karen Ormsby is the founder and owner of Oakford Gourmet Selections. Karen is an Australian native who brings her diverse and educated palate to creating beautiful, artistic and delicious charcuterie boards and grazing platters. Located outside of Salt Lake City, Utah, Oakford Gourmet Selections provides charcuterie and grazing catering perfect for any sized events including girl's nights, weddings, receptions, engagements, parties, networking events and more.
