The Ultimate Philadelphia Charcuterie Board

Picture this: You’re hosting friends in your apartment, and instead of serving the same old cheese and crackers spread, you create something that tells the story of exceptional artisanal food from right here in the Northeast.

Your guests walk in to see a beautifully arranged board featuring silky tahini from a beloved Philadelphia-based family business, handcrafted Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels that have been perfected over decades, and an unexpectedly delightful cream cheese pound cake made fresh in Long Island that adds the perfect sweet note to your savory spread. This snack board is a celebration of the incredible small businesses and local makers within driving distance of the city, bringing their passion and craftsmanship right to your table.

While you could easily grab generic grocery store items and call it a day, there’s something magical about curating a board that showcases the stories behind regionally-made products. Your guests won’t just be eating — they’ll be experiencing the tradition and quality that make the Northeast’s food scene so special.

And here’s the best part: creating this elevated, artisanal appetizer board experience doesn’t require hunting down specialty items across the city or making multiple stops. With FreshDirect delivery, you can support these amazing regional artisans while keeping your weekend free for what really matters—enjoying great food with great people.

Ready to discover how three exceptional regional products can transform your next gathering?

Why Choose Regional Artisanal Products for Your Charcuterie Board?

Let’s be honest: you could walk into any grocery store and grab some hummus, crackers, and cookies for your next gathering. But here’s what happens when you choose thoughtfully crafted, regional products instead: your entire entertaining game changes. When you build a snack board around artisanal products, you’re creating an experience that your guests will actually remember and talk about long after they leave.

Supporting Small Businesses and Artisans

Every time you choose products from small, family-owned businesses over mass-produced alternatives, you’re casting a vote for craftsmanship, tradition, and community. Take Soom Foods, for example. This Philadelphia-based, women-owned company was founded by three sisters who were determined to bring truly exceptional tahini to American kitchens. When you serve their tahini, you’re supporting their mission to make this nutrient-rich superfood a pantry staple, while also supporting the thousands of Ethiopian farmers who hand-harvest their sesame seeds.

Uncle Jerry’s Pretzels represent over three decades of Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, with each pretzel still hand-rolled and twisted in rural Lancaster County. By choosing their pretzels, you’re keeping alive time-honored techniques that have been passed down through generations.

And Mike’s Philly Fluff? They’re a small operation in Long Beach, NY, where every cream cheese pound cake is handmade with fresh eggs and real Madagascar vanilla beans. No preservatives, no shortcuts — just honest, quality baking.

When you support these businesses, you’re helping preserve the kind of food traditions that make eating interesting and meaningful.

Fresher Flavors and Quality Ingredients

Here’s something you’ll notice immediately when you taste artisanal products: the flavors are just different. Deeper. More complex. More satisfying. That’s because small-batch producers can focus on quality in ways that large manufacturers simply can’t. When you’re making spreads and dips in small quantities, producers can source premium ingredients and use traditional preparation methods that create richer, more nuanced flavors. No shortcuts, no artificial enhancers — just time-tested techniques that let natural flavors shine.

Artisanal baked goods follow this same principle. Small-batch bakers can use real butter, fresh eggs, and high-quality flour without worrying about mass production timelines or extended shelf life. They can perfect recipes over decades, adjusting techniques based on seasonal ingredient variations and weather conditions. Even something as simple as salt becomes special when it’s applied by hand at just the right moment in the baking process, rather than sprayed on by machines in a factory setting.

These ingredients are carefully chosen components that work together to create something memorable. When artisans can control every step of the process, from sourcing to final preparation, you taste the difference immediately.

Creating Conversation and Connection

There’s something magical that happens when you serve food with a story. Your guests don’t just eat — they engage. When you can share the story behind your snack selections—the traditional techniques, the family recipes passed down through generations, the commitment to using only real ingredients—you’re giving your guests something to connect with beyond just taste. Food becomes more than sustenance; it becomes a shared experience. Your appetizer board becomes a way to express your values—supporting craftsmanship, choosing quality over convenience, caring about where your food comes from. These stories create the kind of moments that turn a simple gathering into something your guests will remember.

Plus, there’s practical magic here too. When you serve exceptional products, people notice. They ask questions. They want to know where you found these amazing flavors. You become the friend who always knows about the best things — the one who introduces others to products they never would have discovered on their own. It’s the difference between serving food and creating an experience. And isn’t that exactly the kind of host you want to be?

Meet Your Regional Snack All-Stars

Now that you understand why artisanal products make such a difference, let’s introduce the three exceptional items that will transform your snack board from ordinary to unforgettable. Each of these products brings something unique to the table — literally and figuratively.

Soom Tahini: Silky Sophistication from Sesame Seeds

If you’ve only experienced tahini as that separated, sandy paste at the bottom of grocery store hummus, prepare to have your mind changed with Soom Tahini. Soom’s creamy and silky-smooth sesame tahini is made from 100% roasted and pressed Ethiopian White Humera sesame seeds, creating something truly exceptional.

Premium Quality and Sourcing Story

Soom sources their sesame seeds from a single origin — Ethiopian White Humera sesame seeds that are carefully roasted and pressed to create that signature silky texture.

These sesame seeds are specifically chosen for their quality and ability to create tahini that’s smooth and easy to work with, without the grittiness or separation issues you might have experienced with other brands.

The mild nutty flavor that results from this careful sourcing and preparation makes Soom tahini a nutritious pantry staple that enhances rather than overpowers whatever you pair it with.

Versatility Beyond Hummus

While Soom tahini makes incredible hummus, its mild nutty flavor makes it perfect for both savory and sweet recipes. This tahini is an ideal base for dressings, sauces, dips, and spreads. It makes soups and smoothies extra creamy, and it’s exceptional in both savory applications and sweet treats. Try it as a drizzle over roasted vegetables, whisked into salad dressings for nutty depth, or even swirled into brownie batter for the most indulgent tahini chocolate treats you’ve ever tasted.

Health Benefits and Dietary Accommodations

Tahini is essentially a sesame seed superfood, and Soom’s version accommodates virtually every dietary need. It’s vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free, making your snack board inclusive without sacrificing flavor or richness. For anyone with dietary restrictions, tahini offers the satisfaction and depth that other spreads might not provide, ensuring everyone at your gathering can enjoy something delicious.

Uncle Jerry’s Pretzels: Pennsylvania Dutch Tradition

Some things are worth doing the old-fashioned way, and Uncle Jerry’s Pennsylvania Dutch Handmade Pretzels prove it every single day. Their “Specials” variety launched the Uncle Jerry’s line and delivers that true pretzel flavor that pretzel lovers have been craving for decades.

30+ Years of Handmade Craftsmanship

Every Uncle Jerry’s pretzel is individually handmade using traditional Pennsylvania Dutch methods that have been perfected over more than three decades. The classic medium brown finish you see on their Specials variety isn’t just for looks — it’s the result of careful, time-honored baking techniques that create that perfect pretzel appearance and flavor. Each pretzel gets the attention it deserves to achieve that crisp, crunchy appeal in every single bite.

All-Natural Sourdough Process

Uncle Jerry’s commitment to quality means no shortcuts and no unnecessary additives. Their pretzels contain no high fructose corn syrup, no preservatives, and no added sugar. They’re also fat-free, proving that incredible flavor doesn’t require artificial enhancement—just honest ingredients and traditional techniques. The result is a pretzel with authentic flavor that comes from the ingredients and process, not from artificial flavoring or chemical shortcuts.

Perfect Charcuterie Vessel

Uncle Jerry’s Specials aren’t just a snack—they’re the ideal vehicle for your snack creations. Their sturdy construction and crisp texture hold up perfectly to dips and spreads without breaking, while their classic pretzel flavor complements both subtle and bold accompaniments. Break them into rustic pieces for easy dipping, or leave them whole for dramatic visual impact. Either way, they provide the perfect textural contrast and satisfying crunch that makes every bite more interesting.

Mike’s Philly Fluff: The Sweet Surprise Element

Here’s where we break the rules a little bit. Traditional appetizer boards focus exclusively on savory elements, but Mike’s Philly Fluff brings something unexpected and delightful: a sophisticated sweet component that elevates your entire spread.

Artisanal Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Mike’s Philly Fluff is a cream cheese-based pound cake that’s handmade and rich in both flavor and texture. The cream cheese base gives it a subtle tang that bridges the gap between sweet and savory, making it surprisingly perfect for snack applications. Each cake is made by hand with careful attention to achieving that perfect balance of richness and moisture that makes every slice satisfying.

Fresh, Local Ingredients from Long Beach, NY

Mike’s operates as a small, focused bakery where they can control every aspect of quality. Their commitment to real ingredients means no artificial flavors, and they keep things simple by focusing on what pound cake should be: rich, flavorful, and genuinely satisfying. The cake is also nut-free, making it another inclusive option for guests with dietary restrictions.

Why Sweet Belongs on Your Savory Board

Adding Mike’s Philly Fluff to your appetizer board creates what food professionals call “flavor progression” — a thoughtful journey from savory to sweet that leaves your guests completely satisfied. The cream cheese base means it pairs beautifully with fresh fruit, creates interesting contrasts with salty elements, and provides a sophisticated ending note to your tasting experience. Plus, it’s an unexpected conversation starter. Your guests will be intrigued by this elegant sweet addition, and you’ll have another great story to tell about supporting small, regional artisans who are doing something unique and special.

Assembly Tips and Styling Secrets

Now that you’ve got your star ingredients, let’s talk about bringing them together in a way that’s both beautiful and functional. The difference between a good snack board and a great one often comes down to thoughtful presentation—and the good news is, it’s easier than you might think.

Color Palette and Visual Flow

Think of your snack board as a canvas, and you’re creating a composition that draws the eye naturally from one element to the next. With your three featured products, you’re working with a naturally harmonious color palette that’s both sophisticated and inviting.

Start with your base colors: the warm, creamy beige of tahini, the golden-brown tones of the pretzels, and the pale, rich cream of the pound cake. These neutral tones create a cohesive foundation that won’t compete with each other visually. Now add pops of color through your fresh accompaniments. Think vibrant cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber rounds, or colorful bell pepper strips. Fresh herbs like basil or mint provide beautiful green accents, while seasonal fruits can introduce reds, purples, or oranges depending on what’s available.

The key to visual flow is creating a path for the eye to follow around your board. Avoid clustering all similar colors together — instead, distribute them so there’s visual interest no matter where someone looks. Place your tahini dips in different corners, scatter pretzel pieces between other elements, and use fresh garnishes to create natural bridges between different sections.

Essential Tools and Vessels

The right serving pieces can make or break your snack presentation, but you don’t need to buy anything fancy. In fact, some of the most beautiful boards use simple, everyday items that let the food be the star. For your tahini preparations, small ceramic bowls or ramekins work perfectly. Choose different sizes to create visual interest — a larger bowl for your main tahini dip, smaller ones for flavored variations or drizzles. Wooden bowls add warmth and texture, while white ceramic keeps things clean and modern. You’ll want several small spoons and spreaders — one for each tahini preparation to avoid mixing flavors. Small offset spatulas or butter knives work beautifully and give guests the right tool for the job.

For the pretzels, consider using a mix of whole and broken pieces. A small wooden bowl can hold pretzel pieces for easy grabbing, while whole pretzels can be arranged directly on your board for visual drama and height variation.

The pound cake deserves its own small cutting board or serving plate. Slice it into elegant, thin pieces just before serving, and fan them out slightly so guests can easily take individual portions. A small dessert knife nearby lets people cut their own preferred size.

Don’t forget small plates for your guests! Having individual plates available encourages people to create their own combinations and keeps things tidy.

Fresh Accompaniments and Garnishes

This is where you can really personalize your board and add those Instagram-worthy finishing touches. Fresh accompaniments serve both functional and aesthetic purposes — they provide textural contrast, color variety, and additional flavors that complement your featured products.

For vegetables, think about both color and crunch. Carrots, cucumber rounds, cherry tomatoes, and bell pepper strips all provide satisfying crunch and vibrant colors. Radish slices add a peppery bite that pairs beautifully with creamy tahini, while snap peas offer sweet freshness.

Fresh herbs are your secret weapon for making everything look more polished. A few sprigs of fresh mint, basil, or even rosemary scattered around your board instantly elevate the presentation. They’re aromatic, beautiful, and some guests might even nibble on them.

For fruits that bridge the sweet-savory gap, consider sliced apples or pears (brush with a little lemon juice to prevent browning), grapes, or seasonal berries. These work especially well near your pound cake, creating natural flavor progressions.

Finishing touches matter too. A drizzle of good olive oil over your tahini, a sprinkle of za’atar or sumac for color and flavor, or even a small dish of local honey for drizzling over the pound cake or pretzels can make your board feel thoughtfully curated.

Remember, the goal isn’t to overwhelm — it’s to create a balanced, beautiful spread that invites exploration and makes every bite a little different from the last.

Ready to Create Your Regional Charcuterie Masterpiece?

The best part about building this amazing snack board?

You don’t have to spend your weekend hunting down specialty products across the city or making multiple stops at different stores.

With FreshDirect, you can get Soom Tahini, Uncle Jerry’s Pretzels, and Mike’s Philly Fluff delivered right to your door alongside all your regular groceries. No special trips, no carrying heavy bags on the subway, no wondering if your local store will have what you need in stock.

Whether you’re planning a dinner party next weekend or just want to try something new for your next movie night, creating this regional appetizer experience is just a few clicks away.

Add these three exceptional products to your cart, grab some fresh vegetables and herbs while you’re at it, and you’ll have everything you need to impress your guests — and yourself!