Welcome!
I’m Michelle, owner and creator of Chi-cuterie. I’m so glad you stopped by!
For me, food is a way to express love, share stories, open hearts, and create community. My passion is to make sharing food fun, and most importantly, stress-free!
My husband and I grew up in the South with family values deeply rooted in a love of family, food, and community – hospitality is at my core. When we moved to Illinois, we fell in love with the local “All American” menu. It’s been an exciting journey to discover all that is special about the food in the Midwest and the Chicago area in particular - from locally crafted sausages to delicious hand-made cheeses, to name a few.
After many years in organic food sales, I became the Sales Director for a division of a regional dairy and grocery home delivery business based in Chicagoland. My focus was to elevate the brand by expanding product offerings, including a line of high-end charcuterie products. In 2019, I created an experience for potential customers by launching Charcuterie 101 Workshops and authoring the Charcuterie 101 and Pairing Guides.
And now, I am thrilled to bring my own unique spin to “the board” with Chi-cuterie. The finest local ingredients, artisan legacy boards, and the flavors of Chicago from our professionally certified kitchen to your door.
Our Products
People love serving delicious, thoughtfully created charcuterie to family and friends. But not knowing how to pair foods or where to find the very best items for a board can be overwhelming and a common frustration.
I have spent years curating such a product line while developing relationships with a talented and knowledgeable community of artisan vendors and growers. From locally sourced meats and cheeses to farm-fresh honey and jams, we procure only the best!
So, instead of running all over town, you can relax and let Chi-cuterie's thoughtfully selected and paired products impress and delight your guests. (But you get to soak up all the credit!)
We care deeply about our community and environment and seek every opportunity to collaborate with local businesses of similar values. We believe that we are better together and that we have a bigger impact on our communities this way.
Our Boards
Skilled artisans create our boards using downed trees salvaged from local farms in Illinois and Wisconsin - a process that does not contribute to deforestation. As a natural product, no two pieces of wood are exactly alike, so each board is unique and will vary slightly in size and appearance. We consider these “legacy pieces” because they are designed to last for generations.
We only use natural food-safe oils and conditioners to protect our boards, never any stains or harmful chemicals. We recommend treating Legacy Boards at least once a month - keeping the wood grain coated will ensure the integrity of your board for years to come. For added convenience, each Legacy Board comes with starter oil and complete care instructions.
Legacy Boards make the perfect gift to mark a special occasion. From weddings and anniversaries to birthdays, retirement, and corporate gifts - make it extra meaningful with the addition of personalized custom laser engraving!
Accoutrement
From time to time we will feature one-of-a-kind add-on items in our shop. Each item hand selected to enhance your Chi-cuterie boards and entertaining repertoire. From vintage vases and glassware to serving pieces created by one of our talented local artists.
Be sure to check back often (and follow us on Instagram) to be the first to know when these unique treasures are available!