At The Board Barcelona, we value special moments with those we care about most. That’s why our team will be taking a well-deserved break to enjoy the holidays with family.

We will be closed from December 20th to January 7th.

See you next year!

When people see our boards, lush with award-winning cheeses, carefully cured meats, seasonal fruit, and market-sourced accompaniments, they often ask us, “How many people does this serve?” or “How much should I order per person?” 

You’ll find that information clearly listed in our Grazing Shop, under each savory board, and in the description section of each product page.  

But the truth is: we didn’t just make those numbers up, they’re not a random guess.

We’ve tested them over years of events, workshops, house parties, shop openings, and birthdays. We’ve spoken to industry experts, read & researched, listened to customer feedback, and most importantly, we’ve observed what actually happens in real life.  

All of our experience has led us to discover the perfect portion, our tried & true Goldilocks Approach.

We recommend planning for around 150g of food per person from the cheese & charcuterie board, also known as a Grazing Board, per person for a pica pica, tasting plate, or aperitif. It’s, well, just right! 

The Goldilocks Zone of Grazing

Let’s be clear: Our Grazing Boards are not designed to be a formal sit-down dinner, and they’re also not cheap finger food served on toothpicks.

They are something else: a generous, curated tasting experience, with whole ingredients. The portion recommendations on our website are not recommendations for a main meal. (For a main meal, we recommend doubling the portions and adding extras.)

Our boards are for a luxury experience designed to be shared and savored: 

  • Not too little: everyone gets a rich and varied appetizer portion 
  • Not too much: there’s rarely waste, just the right kind of leftovers 
  • Just right: perfectly balanced, visually abundant, and satisfying

Our food is not cheap filler food, like what you see in so many events. (We are tired of seeing un-identifiable hors d’oeuvers being passed around on trays…and how many cold croquetas can you eat at events anyway?)  

We offer that Goldilocks portion of gourmet ingredients: the one that hits every note just right, and where the products speak for themselves. 

What Does 150g Include?

Ingredients that make a grazing board feel rich and generous: cheese, charcuterie, seasonal fruit, olives & nuts.

It does not include the weight of the board, honey, marmalade or edible flowers. 

Experts recommend at least 60g of gourmet cheese per person (60-80g is an ideal portion of cheese for a tasting, aperitif or “pica pica”…whatever you want to call it!) Keeping in mind that a standard slice of cheese can weigh anywhere from 8-11g, this means you can count on enjoying anywhere from 5-8 slices of cheese. A tasting of 25g-35g of gourmet charcuterie is considered sufficient when the cheese is the star of the show, like on our luxury cheese & charcuterie boards.

We’re talking melt-in-your-mouth jamón ibérico, not the cheap stuff that looks like bland lunch meat.  

Some might say these portions are small, but science tells us differently. 

The Science Behind Why Rich, Artisan Cheese Makes the Difference

The food itself is rich, complex, and deeply satisfying. These are not supermarket cheeses. They’re artisan, award-winning, thoughtfully aged cheeses, chosen for flavor, contrast, and texture. When paired with seasonal fruit, nuts, olives, and cured meats, they create a layered tasting experience that feels indulgent without needing excess.

So, where is the science behind all of this? 
When we choose rich, high‑fat, umami‑loaded artisan cheeses, our brains and bodies respond in ways that support the idea of satisfying more with less. Research shows that fat and umami textures activate neurons in the orbitofrontal cortex – a key brain region responsible for assigning pleasure and reward value to food. 

In parallel, physiological studies demonstrate the concept of the ileal break, where fat and protein reaching the distal small intestine trigger release of gut hormones like PYY and GLP‑1 that slow digestion, increase feelings of fullness, and reduce subsequent food intake by up to 30 %.  

In plain terms: the richer the flavors and texture, the more your brain registers satisfaction, and the earlier your stomach tells you you’re full. That’s why our 150g recommendation is practical and scientifically proven. Even though the portion may seem modest, the experience feels abundant. 

In addition to cheese & charcuterie, our boards also include an assortment of fruit and nuts. Fruit and nuts are energy-dense and full of nutrients; nuts are especially high in healthy fats and proteins, helping you feel full for longer.  

150g Is Our Minimum Recommendation, But It’s Flexible

While this is our house standard for an appetizer portion, it’s not a hard rule. There are plenty of cases where less from our Grazing Boards is more than enough: If you’re also serving other food like fresh fruit, hummus & crudités, or a nice portion of bread and crackers, then 125g per person can be perfect.  

  • If the board is just a light aperitif before a larger meal (like paella or a sit-down dinner), you can go a little lighter, although we wouldn’t recommend less than 60 grams per person 
  • At standing events like store launches or gallery openings, people tend to eat less 
  • At seated house parties, birthdays, or slow social gatherings, guests tend to graze more, so 150g or more may be ideal (depending on if there is other food at the party or not and how hungry your guests are) 

Ultimately, it depends on how much food you want to offer and how your guests will be engaging with the food.  

The best part? If you prefer to have more and order extra boards or order one size up, you can safely snack on leftover cheeses and charcuterie up to three days after your event, when stored correctly in the refrigerator. Hard cheeses may last even longer! 

Questions to Consider When Comparing Options

If you’re searching online for cheese boards or grazing tables in Barcelona, you may come across companies with different portion sizes listed on their menu or website.

Before you compare based on grams alone, here are a few good questions to ask: 

Think of it like wine. A glass of table wine may seem inexpensive at first, but often you need several to feel satisfied, and the experience isn’t one you remember fondly. Now imagine savoring a fine Bordeaux or a carefully aged vintage. Just one or two glasses are enough – you feel indulged, satisfied, and you walk away with an experience worth remembering.

That’s the difference quality makes. With us, every bite is designed to feel abundant, memorable, and elevated. Guests don’t just eat… they enjoy, they savor, and they remember.


So… What’s Right for You?

If you’re planning an event, read our perfectly portioned recommendations on our Grazing Shop page.

In the end, you get to decide what works best for your gathering, based on the type of event, how much food you’ll be serving, and the kind of mood you want to create. 

And if you’re not sure what to order? Just send us a message or give us a call. 


We’re always happy to help you get it exactly right.

Sources: 

The Times, National Library of Medicine, Science Direct, Healthline

en_GBEN