There’s much more to Philadelphia’s cheese story than cream cheese — even that famous spread wasn’t born here. Philadelphia Cream Cheese was actually invented in New York in 1872, but named after our city because of Philadelphia’s 19th-century reputation for exceptionally high-quality dairy products. That legacy still lingers in the cobblestone charm of Chestnut Hill, where dairy farms once lined Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike, and where today’s cheesemongers and entertainers continue the tradition in decidedly more delicious form.

As the holiday season arrives, the cheese board has become the perfect way to gather friends before the neighborhood’s beloved Stag + Doe Nights, held on Wednesdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. A few good cheeses, some charcuterie, crusty bread, and a bottle (or two) of wine from The Foodery are all you need to turn a simple evening into something festive.

Few know this better than Anne McNiff, executive director of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, who moonlights as a cheese and charcuterie board instructor and designer. Her creations have graced many community events — including a show-stopping rainbow board complete with salami and prosciutto rosettes for the annual CHCA Pride Party last June at NoName Gallery.

“A cheese and charcuterie board isn’t just hors d’oeuvres,” McNiff said. “It’s a way of gathering people and honoring the season. You can make something both beautiful and delicious out of simple ingredients. I love to peek at the cheeses and snacks folks whip out of picnic baskets during our summertime concerts at Pastorius Park.”

When it comes to sourcing those ingredients, locals are spoiled for choice. Evergreen Cheese, tucked along East Evergreen Avenue, has become a destination for food lovers from across the region. Owner John Ingersoll, who’s been in the cheese and gourmet-comestibles business for nearly 40 years, opened the shop after being inspired by a visit to Cowgirl Creamery in San Francisco more than a decade ago. Evergreen is charming, exquisitely curated, and, as one loyal customer put it, “one of the premier cheese shops in the metropolitan area.” Ingersoll and his team are encyclopedic in their knowledge and generous with their advice — whether you’re planning a dinner party or choosing the perfect wine pairing.

A short drive away, at The Grand Fromage inside the Flourtown Farmers Market offshoot of their original Skippack location, the selection widens even further. Owned by Celestin Holmberg, the specialty shop stocks over 100 domestic and international varieties, from Wyfe of Bath to Swiss raclette, alongside regional standouts from The Farm at Doe Run, Birchrun Hills Farm, and more.

“We love guiding someone through a dozen bloomy rinds or blues,” Holmberg said, “and helping them build a board that makes them proud to say, ‘I brought this to the party.’”

The shop also prepares beautifully arranged platters — perfect for impressing guests or gifting to your holiday host. You’ll find the cheese counter open during normal business hours at the Flourtown Farmers Market (Thursday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.; and Saturday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.).

So this season, whether you’re assembling a pre–Stag + Doe snack with friends or planning a grand holiday dinner, let the cheese board take center stage. It’s a nod to Philadelphia’s dairy heritage, a showcase of neighborhood artisans, and an invitation to slow down, savor, and share. After all, in Chestnut Hill, we’ve always known there’s more to cheese than cream cheese.