I make charcuterie boards for a living. Here are my 7 secrets to creating the best spread.

I make charcuterie boards for a living. Here are my 7 secrets to creating the best spread. After working in the charcuterie industry for four years, I've learned how to make the best cheese spread. Amaan Bhanji I'm the franchise owner of a custom charcuterie-board company, and after four years in the industry, I've discovered what separates a good cheese spread from a great one.Even though it might seem easy to assemble a simple board with meats and cheeses, a few tricks can elevate it into the culinary star of a party or gathering.Here are my seven secrets to making the best charcuterie boards. I spend just as much time choosing ingredients as I do building the board. I like to feature a variety of spicy and salty meats, along with a mix of soft, hard, and aged cheeses. Amaan Bhanji A typical charcuterie board consists of cured meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, breads, crackers, and nuts. The key to building a great spread is combining these in a way that showcases vibrant colors, exotic flavors, and a decorative layout.Although the presentation of a board is important, I think the selection of ingredients is even more crucial.I like to have a mix of spicy meats, simple salami, and salty prosciutto, along with a variety of soft, hard, and aged cheeses to ensure there is a little something for everyone and that no single texture or flavor is highlighted.Along with selecting an assortment of meats and cheeses, I always pick fruits and vegetables that are firm and richly colored, such as pineapple, oranges, sweet peppers, and cauliflower. Slicing the meats into paper-thin cuts makes all the difference. Cutting the meat into thin slices lets me fold it into unique shapes, adding texture to any board. Amaan Bhanji Before any food graces the board, I always recommend cutting all the meats into paper-thin circles — so thin that I can almost see through them.The thin slices allow me to fold the meat into a variety of shapes to enhance the board's texture and visual appeal. I especially love to create small circular tubes with the slices to add depth to the spread.Prosciutto, in particular, can be folded lengthwise and then alternately creased accordion-style to create a stunning "train" effect. The cut of a cheese depends on its consistency. Goat cheese, which often comes in a cylindrical package, is well-suited for a circular cut. Amaan Bhanji There are three common cuts for cheese: cubes, triangles, and circles.Even though it can be tempting to slice everything into cubes, it's ideal only for firm cheeses, like cheddar, Gouda, and Parmesan.On the other hand, wheel-shaped alternatives like Brie and Manchego are well-suited to triangular cuts, and goat cheese, which often come in cylindrical packages, yield a great circular cut. I like to be creative with the presentation of fruits and veggies. I add dimension by cutting cucumbers into circles or slicing carrots into 2-inch-long sticks. Amaan Bhanji When it comes to the layout of fruits and vegetables on a board, it really spans the gamut.Instead of slicing fruits like oranges and kiwis into wedges, I love to cut them into stars. Additionally, carrots add dimension when they are cut into about 2-inch-long sticks.To add more depth to the board, I like to cut cucumbers into thin circles or ribbons for a more decorative approach.And if I'm making a vegetarian board, I like to cut broccoli and cauliflower into small florets to replace any cured meats. When assembling, placing colorful fruits next to neutral elements will make the board pop. I always place colorful fruits next to neutral elements like crackers, cheese, or bread. Amaan Bhanji I think charcuterie is as much about visual appeal as it is about taste.So, to make the board's colors pop, I always place bright fruits and vegetables alongside neutral elements like cheeses and crackers.One of my favorite combinations is pairing strawberries and goat cheese. Or, for a monochromatic look, I love grouping items by color. I love placing bread and pastries of the same color next to each other. Amaan Bhanji Alternatively, grouping different fruits and vegetables of the same color provides a unique twist to any charcuterie board.For example, I love the look of strawberries, red peppers, and dried cranberries when they are placed together.Similarly, I like to group foods that complement one another, such as sweet chocolate and salty nuts or creamy cheese and crunchy crackers. Read next Amaan Bhanji is a contributor to Business Insider. Food Tips