Meet Mimi Cerutti | Creator of Elegant Grazing Tables and Boards

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mimi Cerutti and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mimi, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I chose to start a business that is on the creative side for several reasons. Life can feel pretty serious sometimes, especially over the last two years. Like so many of us, I have worked incredibly hard to keep my head and heart above it all.

I was ready to start something that would be fun and not only bring me joy, but also bring joy to the people that I’m serving.

I also love food, so bringing together food, fun, joy and creativity seemed like the perfect combination!

I love that I get to be part of people’s special day, for whatever they’re celebrating, and one of my favorite things is seeing people’s reactions when they see what I’ve put together. Most of the time they don’t even want to eat it because they don’t want to mess up the art! But of course they do and they love it!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Diving into a creative endeavor was a completely new experience for me. By nature, I’m naturally creative in many ways, but I never imagined starting a business like this (until the end of 2020) and that it would be so easily successful so quickly. I also never imagined that it would be the thing that has contributed to so much of my own growth over the past year.

While I was a little nervous to embark on something so different than I’m used to, I also had this feeling that it would be successful. This business and the love that people have for my creations has allowed me to grow in my own confidence and ability to be successful. I just had to believe in myself and trust that everything would work out exactly as it’s supposed to!

I want people to know that I do my best to create each order specific to the person or celebration that it is for, and it is my mission to provide the best ingredients possible.

What I want people to know, which sets me apart, is the love and attention that I put into everything that I do. You are not ordering from a factory or mass kitchen with people sweating over your food. You are ordering from a single woman and you are supporting someone’s vision of a having a growing, thriving woman owned small business. Thank you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to the Self-Realization Fellowship meditation gardens in Encinitas to enjoy the scenery and sunshine. We would hike Torrey Pines and eat at the Flower Child in Del Mar. Just to name a few!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, my kids. They are my reasons and my greatest support. They also help me run things behind the scenes and will eventually be my first official employees.

My cousins, the Miers, provided their beautiful kitchen for my first practice boards and photos at the beginning of 2021. They supported and encouraged me to dive in and curated ideas with me. It was their referral/friends that brought me to my first grazing table for a wedding, which I’ve since learned is one of my favorite things to do.

Essential Anne was one of my first clients and has become a wonderful regular, allowing me to support her women’s wellness events and to be a part of her beautiful community.

I’ve had so many other family and friends order from me, as well as refer me to others, there are too many to name. I am just so deeply thankful for all of the people that surround and support my vision.

Website: www.cerutticharcuterie.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cerutticharcuterie/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cerutticharcuterie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cerutticharcuterie

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cerutti-charcuterie-san-marcos-2?osq=cerutti+charcuterie

Image Credits
Alicia Stauffer Lea Prokopowics Karine Fortine