Platterful

New Local Business Provides a Flavorful Charcuterie Experience

Writer / Heather Hunter
Photographer / Justin Sicking

When it comes to appetizers, a charcuterie board is a safe crowd-pleaser. With meats, cheeses, crackers and other delicious add-ons, it’s likely to have something for everyone. However, finding the perfect layouts and flavor combinations can be overwhelming for people creating their own boards at home.

Thanks to Platterful, a new small business shipping all-in-one charcuterie kits directly to your home, gourmet party boards become accessible to anyone. Its dynamic team of co-owners, Lowell Bieber, Ryan Culver, and Caroline Elston, hand-pack boxes full of carefully sourced ingredients to send to doorsteps nationwide.

“People walk into a store and see a great cheese but have no idea what to pair it with,” Elston says. “With Platterful, we hand-pick products that go well together and give you the guidance you need to make a professional board.”

Platterful began as the brainchild of Culver and Bieber. The two longtime co-workers started the business after launching, successfully running, and selling Hemp Crate Co. Already familiar with the pitfalls and processes of a subscription box, they chose charcuterie as their next challenge.

“We ordered a few charcuterie boxes to see what people were doing,” Culver says. “It was really underwhelming, just products you could get from the grocery store. We wanted to create a unique, high-quality experience for a date night, bachelor party, baby shower, or any other event someone could host from their home or office.”

Elston was the missing piece that took Platterful from a box to a fully formed kit. A charcuterie expert who went viral locally via her Instagram page, Elston ran a small business creating gourmet boards for parties and events. Her knack for pairing flavors and eye for design make her charcuterie both delicious and jaw-dropping.

Bieber and Culver set up a meeting with Elston after seeing a photo of her work via Bieber’s girlfriend.

“At first we thought Caroline could be a consultant for us,” Bieber says.

After meeting in person for the first time, the three of them knew they’d work best as a team.

“We get the best of both worlds,” Culver says. “Lowell and I are very operational and analytical. Caroline has the charcuterie experience and a lot of digital marketing experience. Plus, we all just clicked, even at that first meeting.”

Thanks to Elston, Platterful provides step-by-step assembly instructions with each subscription box. A QR code on the printed instructions leads viewers to a video tutorial. She also helps Platterful provide grazing boards and charcuterie how-to classes for groups.

Platterful partners with small artisans nationwide to source its products, but buys from local makers when possible.

“It’s important to us to support small vendors like ourselves,” Culver says. “That way we can grow with each other.”

The team also prefers to partner with brands that support a cause like Endangered Species Chocolate.

Platterful also benefits a cause of its own. Every box sold, from subscription boxes to bulk orders, provides 10 meals through No Kid Hungry. Using Platterful to give back was something all three co-owners agreed they wanted to do.

“Since we’re feeding people, we wanted to partner with a cause that also focused on food,” Bieber says. “So far Platterful has given over 5,300 meals to kids in need.”

Culver, Bieber and Elston look forward to offering alternative options such as vegan and gluten-free kits as the business grows. They also look forward to exploring themed boxes as they move into Platterful’s first calendar year. 1

Eager residents will be able to meet Platterful’s co-owners in person at OneZone’s upcoming Taste of the Chamber event. The event will take place at the Ritz Charles on Thursday, February 17 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“Getting out and connecting with local businesses is going to be very nice,” Elston says. “We can’t wait to make more connections with other people who are doing similar things in the community.”

To meet Platterful’s owners, sample the grazing table and get to know more small businesses in the area, buy your tickets for Taste of the Chamber 2022 via OneZone’s website. For more information about Platterful’s products, events and subscriptions, visit tryplatterful.com.