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Holiday Hosting Tips from Austin Cheese Expert Kendall Antonelli

Make your holiday celebrations memorable with a curated cheese board, perfect pairings, and hosting advice from Antonelli’s Cheese co-founder

Kendall Antonelli, co-founder of Antonelli’s Cheese. (Photo by Cassie Butterfield)
Kendall Antonelli, co-founder of Antonelli’s Cheese. (Photo by Cassie Butterfield)

As the holiday season draws near and cooler weather sets in, seasonal flavors like nutmeg, apple, and peppermint begin to fill kitchens. For party hosts looking to elevate their gatherings, Kendall Antonelli, co-founder of Austin’s first cut-to-order cheese shop, Antonelli’s Cheese, offers a simple solution: a thoughtfully curated cheese board. “Cheese brings people together,” Antonelli says. “It’s about sharing stories and creating connections.”

Antonelli’s Cheese tray. (Photo by Cassie Butterfield)
Antonelli’s Cheese tray. (Photo by Cassie Butterfield)

The art of a holiday cheese board

When it comes to crafting the perfect holiday cheese board, Antonelli first advises keeping it simple yet impactful. “The biggest rookie mistake is choosing too many cheeses,” she cautions. “Stick to 3-5 standout cheeses to allow each to truly resonate with your guests.”

Here are her top tips for a holiday cheese spread that will have your guests talking long after the party ends:

Variety is Key 

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Choose cheeses with a variety of textures and milk types to introduce different flavor profiles. Cow’s milk offers grassy, buttery notes, goat’s milk brings bright, citrus qualities, and sheep’s milk provides a nutty, gamey flavor.

Antonelli suggests “something hard, something soft, and something blue” to create a diverse flavor experience. 

Seasonal Selections 

Embrace the season with winter-specific cheeses. “Rush Creek Reserve is a favorite,” Antonelli shares. “It’s so ooey-gooey, it’s like fondue without heating it up.” She also offers Brabander Reserve, as a strong holiday pick, coming out seasonally every November, Antonelli describes its maker Betty Koster as the Julia Child of Cheese.

Antonelli’s Cheese. (Photo by Cassie Butterfield)
Antonelli’s Cheese. (Photo by Cassie Butterfield)

Perfect Cheese Pairings

Complement your cheeses with seasonal accompaniments. “Apple cider jelly, spiced apple butter, or a raspberry champagne jelly can elevate your board,” Antonelli recommends.

Every cheese board needs a textural contrast that brings the salty or umami flavor, Antonnelli suggests almonds or her favorite, “Spanish Quicos Corn Nuts” — a gourmet variety of corn nuts cultivated with rare Peruvian varietal in Valencia, Spain.

 “We aim to engage all five senses in our tastings,” Antonelli explains. Consider including a squeaky cheese curd for auditory pleasure or contrasting flavor pairings like a salty, sharp blue cheese with sweet decadent honey.

Antonelli’s Cheese Tasting Room on South Lamar. (Photo by Cassie Butterfield)
Antonelli’s Cheese Tasting Room on South Lamar. (Photo by Cassie Butterfield)

Hosting with heart

Beyond the food, Antonelli emphasizes the importance of creating an atmosphere of connection. “Our tasting tables are community-style by design,” she says. “We want people to slow down, appreciate the fine things, and have a conversation with their neighbor.”

Antonelli’s opened its original shop in Hyde Park 15 years ago with the goal of sharing the stories of the artisanal makers behind each cheese. Now, with the addition of a new tasting room on South Lamar, the business offers an experience that brings people together and builds community.

This philosophy of community and connection through cheese has been at the heart of Antonelli’s business since its inception. “It’s about more than just the cheese,” Antonelli reflects. “It’s about bringing joy and making people smile.”

Wine and cheese pairings. (Photo courtesy of Antonelli’s Cheese)
Wine and cheese pairings. (Photo courtesy of Antonelli’s Cheese)

Holiday beverage pairings

To complement a holiday cheese selection, Antonelli suggests seasonal drinks:

  • Oktoberfest beers or darker pours for robust cheeses
  • Whiskey cocktails for a warming touch
  • Bubbles to cleanse the palate between bites

Antonelli emphasizes the importance of slowing down during the busy holiday season, saying, “Life is busy, and we are always rushed. How do we slow down and make people feel seen and appreciated for who they are?” The focus is less on the cheese board itself and more on the stories behind it and the people gathered around it.

This season, a thoughtfully prepared cheese board offers more than just food—it creates moments of joy and connection with those around. As Antonelli says, “Eat good, do good,” a fitting mantra for the holidays and beyond.

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