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Rastelli’s offers a gift crate full of meats, cheeses, chocolates and other charcuterie favorites.
Harris and her husband were no strangers to smoked meats and cheeses. They regularly purchased the items in grocery stores for Sunday snacking. “We’ve been doing that for years,” she recalls. Needing a creative outlet during the pandemic, she began making more elaborate boards for friends to eat at socially-distanced events. She started the cleverly named Cute in Charcuterie in August 2020. “It’s been really picking up a lot of steam lately,” she says of the orders. She works full-time as a manager but says her side business’s income has potential. “I definitely am making more than I thought I would.” Downstate, Jenna Bullock started First State Charcuterie in October 2020. “I had been making charcuterie displays for years,” she says. “After several friends and family members asked me where I purchased them, my husband and I thought we might be onto something.” In February 2021, she left her corporate job to work on the business full time.
To Market, To Market Clearly, these businesses have a niche. Fisaha has delivered boxes for housewarming gifts, birthday celebrations and baby showers. She’s also filled orders for corporate gifts. The concept also lends itself to holidays. For instance, Fisaha offered a “spooktacular” Halloween-themed party platter for $45. On Valentine’s Day, Harris partnered with Painted Stave, a distillery in Smyrna, to offer charcuterie and cocktails. She was ecstatic when they filled 100 orders. Getting into wineries and breweries is the next step, she says. 28 APRIL 2021 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM | InWilmDE.com
Hynson received one St. Patrick’s Day order for “anything green,” such as olives, pickles, green peppers and shamrockshaped cookies. Along with meat and cheese, these businesses are selling convenience, Bullock adds. Customers don’t need to make an appetizer tray or shop for a gift. As to the ingredients, the owners take allergies and preferences into account. The St. Patrick’s Day client, for instance, wanted no meat. Hynson has used turkeybased products — including turkey salami and pastrami — for customers who don’t eat pork. Bullock typically includes olives, dried plums, apricots, fresh and seasonal fruits, nuts, gherkins and, on occasion, vegetables. Harris is known for her tomato-andmozzarella skewers. Most boards include something sweet, such as macaroons, wrapped Ghirardelli chocolates or salted caramels. When Harris first started her business, it took her more than an hour to arrange a board to her satisfaction. “I was focused on getting it right and having it look good,” she explains. Indeed, any charcuterie worth its price will prompt customers to pull out their cameras. “We really create a masterpiece with each box and display,” Bullock maintains. “We love to pack our boxes with a variety of options so that the customer can literally create their own combinations and play around with their palate.”
The Cute in Charcuterie 302-722-7319 TheCuteInCharcuterie.com
Luxe Charcuterie 302-358-8932 LuxeCharcuterieShop.com
First State Charcuterie First-State-Charcuterie.Square.Site
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