Personalised Slate Serving Board: The Complete Guide

A Serving Board Built for Tapas, Cheese and Sharing Plates

The Personalised Slate Serving Board is made from natural dark anthracite slate, laser-engraved to order in AtaNova's Antwerp atelier. It's designed for the kind of table where food gets shared rather than plated individually — tapas, cheese and charcuterie, small bites laid out for guests to pick from.

This guide covers the two available sizes, how to use and care for the board, and what to engrave on it.

Two Sizes for Two Kinds of Serving

The board is available in 20 × 20 cm and 18 × 30 cm, and the right size depends on what you're serving and how many people are at the table.

• 20 × 20 cm: a compact square board suited to a small tapas spread, a single cheese with accompaniments, or serving alongside drinks for two to four people.
• 18 × 30 cm: a longer rectangular board better suited to a wider spread — several tapas dishes, a charcuterie board, or a shared starter for a larger table.

If you're unsure which to choose, think about whether the board needs to hold one focused dish or several smaller items laid out side by side.

How to Use It for Tapas Serving

Slate holds up well as a serving surface because it doesn't absorb odours or flavours between uses, and its dark, matte surface gives food a clean visual contrast — this is part of why slate is a common choice for tapas and charcuterie presentation in restaurants. For a tapas spread, group similar items together on the board (olives together, cured meats together, cheese together) rather than mixing everything, which keeps the board looking intentional rather than crowded.

The board is a serving surface rather than a cutting surface — use a separate cutting board for slicing, and place food directly on the slate once it's ready to serve.

Caring for a Slate Serving Board

• Wash by hand with warm water and mild soap; avoid the dishwasher, which can be too harsh for natural slate over time.
• Dry it fully after washing before storing, to avoid moisture sitting on the surface.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes, such as moving the board directly from the fridge to a hot oven surface.
• Store flat rather than propped on an edge, to reduce the risk of chipping.

Natural slate can show slight variation in colour and texture piece to piece — this is normal for a natural material and part of what gives each board its individual character rather than a flaw.

What Should You Engrave?

Because the board is a serving piece rather than a plate someone eats from directly, the engraving typically sits along one edge or in a corner rather than across the centre.

• [Family name] — Est. [Year]
• [Name] & [Name]
• [Family name] — Home
• Serve. Share. Enjoy.

Keep the engraving proportional to the board — a name or short phrase reads cleanly, while a longer message can compete visually with the food placed on top.

What Should You Avoid?

• Using the dishwasher: hand-washing keeps the slate in better condition long-term.
• Cutting directly on the board: use a separate cutting board to avoid scratching the serving surface.
• Choosing the smaller size for a large spread: if you're regularly serving several dishes at once, the 18 × 30 cm board leaves more room to work with.

A Serving Piece That Pairs With the Rest of the Bar Collection

The board works well on its own for tapas, cheese or charcuterie service, and it pairs naturally with a drink set for a complete table setup — the Personalised Whisky Glass & Slate Coaster Set or the Personalised Beer Glass & Slate Coaster Set both use the same dark anthracite slate, so the pieces coordinate visually when used together. Browse the full Drinkware & Bar Gifts collection, or see the complete bar gift guide to compare every option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sizes does the slate serving board come in?

It's available in 20 × 20 cm and 18 × 30 cm. The smaller square size suits a compact spread, while the larger rectangular size fits a wider tapas or charcuterie layout.

Can I cut food directly on the slate serving board?

It's designed as a serving surface rather than a cutting surface. Slice food on a separate cutting board and place it on the slate once ready to serve.

How do I clean a slate serving board?

Hand-wash with warm water and mild soap, then dry fully before storing. Avoid the dishwasher, which can be too harsh on natural slate over time.

Is it normal for slate to look slightly different piece to piece?

Yes. Natural slate shows some variation in colour and texture, which is a normal feature of the material rather than a defect.

Does the board pair with any of AtaNova's other bar products?

Yes. It uses the same dark anthracite slate as the whisky and beer glass coaster sets, so it coordinates visually when used together for a full table setting.

How long does production take?

The board is made to order in the Antwerp atelier. A digital Design Proof is sent by email before engraving. Delivered within 3–5 business days.