This holiday season Aldi says it is unwrapping a festive treat for Chicago residents with its Charcuterie Chalet, a culinary experience highlighting a blend of affordability and quality. The chalet offers a sampling showcase of charcuterie trends and holiday hosting ideas, even a fresh produce-forward option, according to a news release.
The Charcuterie Chalet invites guests to explore cozy, ski-lodge vibes surrounded by artfully crafted charcuterie boards and vibrant fresh fruit displays. Attendees can sample an array of meats, cheeses and seasonal produce that make holiday entertaining both memorable and budget-friendly, the company said.
“No matter if shoppers are charcuterie connoisseurs or just looking for budget-friendly ways to impress guests, our holiday food assortment of over 300 items will make hosts the talk of any holiday party (in a good way),” said Kim Brazington, Aldi’s certified cheese expert. “We understand the stress associated with holiday hosting — and that includes the expenses. That’s why the Charcuterie Chalet was born: to show customers that they don’t need to overspend to throw a great party — or finally win over the in-laws.”
Fresh produce on the board
While charcuterie boards traditionally focus on meats and cheeses, the Aldi Fresh board showcases the importance of fresh produce in elevating holiday spreads, according to the release. Featuring an array of strawberries, raspberries, mangoes, pineapple, peppers, carrots and tomatoes, the board not only serves as a refreshing option, but is also styled in the Aldi logo — a nod to the grocer’s commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients, the company said.Open to the public Dec. 4-5, Aldi says the chalet will feature a variety of boards including:
- The Aldi $50 board — This gourmet charcuterie feast for under $50 is packed with premium delights like delectable Appleton Farms Dry-Cured Ham Prosciutto and Emporium Selection Double Gloucester Cheese.
- Chalet board — This charming and totally edible chalet is built entirely from appetizing delights. Its walls are made from Emporium Selection Smoked Gouda and shingled with Specially Selected Hard Salami Rustico. Specially Selected Candied Pecans and Stuffed Queen Olives add decorative flair to the exterior with trees planted from Specially Selected Tête de Moine Rosettes.
- Holiday sweater board — Think ugly holiday sweaters, but cute and delicious. This features a spread of meats and cheeses, including the Specially Selected Farmstead Blue Cheese and Appleton Farms Sliced Italian Dry Salami, and is layered with Specially Selected Seeded Crackers plus festive pops of dried cranberries.
- Windy City board — Bring the Chicago skyline to life with an assortment of flavorful cheeses, meats and fruits. This board is constructed from savory layers of Emporium Selection Aged White Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, accents of Tête de Moine Rosettes and Havarti.
- Charcuterie drink toppers — Offer a unique twist to impress guests with mini boards of elegant varieties including Specially Selected Salami Charcuterie Trio, Specially Selected Puff Pastry Triangles and Emporium Selection Goat’s Milk Brie. Ideal for pairing with Chianti.
- Sweets board — This galore of sweet assortments showcases the best Aldi holiday treats for indulging during the season, like Choceur Chocolate Coins, European chocolate truffles and Cinnamon Star Cookies along with a sneak peek of the new European cookies hitting shelves in mid-December: Jaffa Cakes, crispy Speculoos and hazelnut biscuits.
- Aldi Fresh board — This features a vibrant selection of fresh strawberries, raspberries, mangoes, pineapple, peppers, carrots and tomatoes in the iconic Aldi logo, this board serves as a refreshing snack option.
The Aldi Charcuterie Chalet will open doors at Loft on Lake, 1366 W. Lake St. in Chicago, with multiple time slots each day from 3-8 p.m. CT. Guests can snag a free ticket by RSVPing via Eventbrite. Space is limited, and tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, the release said.
For those who can’t make it to the chalet, holiday hosts can impress guests and recreate these boards at home by heading to the Aldi DoorDash page for a full list of products, the company said. Simply add products to the virtual cart and then get assembling. As a bonus, DoorDash shoppers can enjoy $10 off their purchase of $40 or more throughout December, the release said.