Second Chances, Strong Roots, and Edible Art: The Story Behind Charcuterie Etc.

 

For Kristen Stemmler, food has always meant more than something to eat. It’s connection, creativity, culture, and comfort — a love language expressed through carefully curated charcuterie boards and edible art displays.

Kristen is the owner of Charcuterie Etc., a business that began unexpectedly during the summer of 2020 and has since grown into something far bigger than she ever imagined.

“In August of 2020 my mom and I wanted to gift friends that we were not able to visit,” Kristen explains. “I had seen this new charcuterie box trend, so I reached out to a couple businesses, but they wouldn’t service Brantford. So I said, ‘Okay, I’ll make them myself.’”

What started as thoughtful birthday and engagement gifts quickly gained attention online after Kristen created an Instagram page to showcase her work. Orders began pouring in almost immediately.

But success came with challenges.

“After about a month, I was approached by the city and told I needed a licence and a health-certified kitchen or I had to stop doing it,” she says. “I decided to roll with it.”

Finding a commercial kitchen space in the middle of the pandemic proved nearly impossible. Kristen called countless businesses searching for a place to work from, hearing “no” over and over again — until one local restaurant changed everything.

“I decided to call the restaurant I lived above, an authentic Chinese restaurant,” she says. “Expecting a big fat no, I heard, ‘Yes! We’d love to help you!’ I was ecstatic.”

Six years later, that partnership is still going strong.

The name Charcuterie Etc. was intentionally chosen to reflect both tradition and possibility.

“I chose Charcuterie Etc. because it was all charcuterie foods, and the ‘etc.’ left room for more,” Kristen says. “I’m Ukrainian and German, so these are foods I grew up eating. Food that I love and eat every day.”

Her connection to European culture also shaped the brand. After attending school in France, Kristen developed a deep appreciation for French food and traditions, inspiring her decision to keep the term “charcuterie” rather than adopting the more modern “grazing” trend.

But behind the beautifully arranged boards and growing success story is something even deeper — a personal journey of rebuilding.

Before launching Charcuterie Etc., Kristen faced serious legal troubles involving contraband tobacco trafficking and nearly went to prison.

“The judge gave me a second chance, and I’m not failing this time,” she says honestly. “Charcuterie Etc. has been a place to start over. To create strong roots for myself. To stay committed to something. To do something I’m passionate about, not just earning money from.”

After losing everything, Kristen started a gardening business to get back on her feet before eventually transitioning full-time into charcuterie.

Entrepreneurship, she says, was always somewhere in her blood.

“My dad is an entrepreneur, and I watched him build his business growing up,” she says. “I learned how to speak to the old white businessmen in control. Make deals like the old boys clubs do.”

Over the last six years, the business has taught Kristen lessons far beyond the kitchen.

“Commitment,” she says. “I struggle with that. But I’ve committed to this for six years now. I keep trying my best. I keep learning. I keep connecting.”

Many of those connections came through female mentors who supported and believed in her during difficult periods of her life.

“I’ve had the pleasure of having some amazing female mentors — people who believed in me when I was really struggling.”

The journey has included plenty of challenges, pivots, and unexpected milestones. One moment, however, stands out above the rest.

“The first private jet order I got came through the day after my grandma’s funeral,” Kristen recalls. “My grandma was my favorite person in the world.”

To her, the timing felt meaningful.

“I grew up with jets because my dad’s customer was Bombardier, and I watched Learjet wings being built as a kid,” she says. “When I got the order, I was shocked but not shocked. It felt like a sign. Like my grandma was in heaven and wanted to see my food up in the clouds with her.”

Since then, Kristen has catered more than 20 private jets, including Air Force Two during the G7 Summit visit to Niagara.

Of course, no business journey comes without obstacles.

“Red tape,” Kristen laughs. “That’s usually the biggest problem in any business. I’m simple. I try to keep things simple. So when it’s not, I struggle.”

Still, despite the stress and uncertainty that can come with entrepreneurship, Kristen cannot imagine stepping away from the business she built from the ground up.

“I can’t see myself not doing charcuterie,” she says. “Even if it slows down, I love it.”

For Kristen, Charcuterie Etc. combines every part of who she is — food, art, culture, and creativity.

“I was an art and language student,” she says. “So this allows me to play with my other passions too. Turning food into art. Learning to make edible art displays.”

And when it comes to playing with food?

“No one ever told me not to,” she jokes. “Or if they did, I wasn’t listening.”