Workshop FAQ

What does my ticket price include?

It can vary, depending on the workshop, but it ALWAYS includes a Disposable Palm Leaf Charcuterie Tray, and all the ingredients to make a Charcuterie Board, including a selection of cured meats, usually 3-4 premium cheese selections which can include an aged, white, or specialty Cheddar, Manchego, Brie, Gouda, Harvarti, Guyere, Stilton or Goat; also a selection of fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, fruit jam or spread, honey, chocolate, crackers, pickles and olives! So ALOT of goodies! You will receive instruction on how to build the board which you will get to take home. Depending on the venue, we offer wine pairing with some of our favorites from Native Iowa Wineries. However, if we are at a brewery or a place that serves beverages, we will defer to the venue’s beverage service. We also own Lake Lemonade, so if the venue or private host prefers not have have alcohol service, we can provide craft lemonade during the workshop. We also draw names at the end of the evening for door prizes, and we offer $5.00 off a future purchase from www.charcuteme.com

What does the workshop consist of?

Christina will walk you through cutting and styling the ingredients your are provided…for example, how to make a salami rose, how to style the different cheeses for maximum presentation, and how to place all the ingredients to maximize color and texture to make the most aesthetically pleasing presentation. You will be able to take what you learn, and wow your guests by making your own charcuterie layout for entertaining guests! We also offer suggestions and some of our favorite “secret” places to get the best cheeses and meats in the state and the Twin Cities area, as well as some places online to find some great, eclectic ingredients! We love to find new, fun places to find goodies, and we share those when we find them! We also give you some must have suggestions on utensils that will make cutting and styling cheese a breeze in your kitchen.

Can we eat the items during the workshop?

Of course! What is the fun if you can’t snack during the workshop! We always provide more than will fit on the board so you can snack, and still take home a beautiful Charcuterie board to show off to your family, significant other, or just have for yourself! However, keep in mind during the workshop we do teach you to cut and style the ingredients and place them, so you will want to keep some of each ingredient to put on the board!

How does the wine tasting/pairing work?

With our Native Iowan Wine License, we can serve up to 1 ounce samples of native Iowan wines. We have personally sampled every wine we provide samples of, so though tastes differ, we try to pick wines that we like, and over time have figured out what the “crowd favorites” are. During the workshop, you may choose to purchase a bottle of wine to take home or consume during the workshop. We can provide bottles of wine for personal consumption, but cannot service more than the 1 ounce sample. Our typical price range of the wine is in the $15.00 per bottle range.

How long does a workshop usually take?

Typically one hour, but we always invite attendees to hang around, snack and enjoy a beverage! It’s a social event, so feel free to socialize!!

Can I bring someone with me that doesn’t have a paid ticket?

Sorry, unfortunately we don’t allow that, for several reasons. First, we typically have limited space at the venue we are hosting at, we typically only have enough room at the venue for the people who purchase tickets. Secondly, the workshop is not just about the ingredients and the board, but the information and the “experience” of the workshop. However, the week of the workshop, you can certainly reach out, and if space allows, we may be able to make accommodations, but it would be a case by case basis.

What is your cancellation/refund policy?

In the event something comes up and you have to cancel your attendance, we will be sad!! However, reach out to us at christina@charcuteme.com if something does come up! Refunds will be issued if registration is cancelled 8 days or more prior to the event, minus a $5.00 fee. We do not offer refunds within 7 days of the event, because at that point we have already sourced and purchased ingredients, however, we will offer a $25.00 discount towards a future workshop. If for some reason weather causes us to cancel an event, we will reschedule the event, and the same policy will apply.

What kind of Board is included in the workshop?

The Board provided is a Palm Leaf Disposable Charcuterie Tray. They are not meant to reuse. If you choose to reuse it, we recommend covering it in Parchment Paper.

MENU FAQ

What ingredients do your Charcuterie Boxes usually include?

Our boxes always include a selection of cured meats, cheeses, a selection of different olives, pickles, fresh and dried fruit, nuts, Jam and/or Honey, chocolate, and crackers. The bigger the box, the more variety and quantity.

Can I pick out all the ingredients when I order a box?

Our boxes typically include what is seasonal, and available to us from a supply chain standpoint, so though an ingredient may be listed on the menu, we may or may not have it. Generally speaking, if you have a request we try to fulfill it; i.e., “I don’t want olives” or “No goat cheese”. In those cases, we are happy to leave them off and substitute for them. However, availability will be subject to what is currently available and in season.

Do your Charcuterie Boxes come with utensils?

The boxes come with a honey dipper and spoon for the jam, but beyond that, the utensils are an add on.

How long do the Charcuterie Boxes last when refrigerated?

For maximum freshness, we recommend no more than one day in the fridge before serving to guests, however, the ingredients will last in the fridge for several days. If a board is ordered, but is going to be served the next day, we will provide the crackers and nuts in a separate container, as those items tend to get soft in the fridge.

Do you have a store front?

We have a licensed, commercial kitchen on our property that we make our boxes out of, so we do not have a store front. Pick up is available during the summer at Clear Lake or Mason City Farmer’s Markets, or at Thursday’s on Main in Clear Lake. However, we will feature Market Mini’s (an 8” board, designed for 2 people), exclusively available at Clear Lake Farmer’s Market only. They are available for pre-order starting during market season, as well as some available first come first serve.

What do you charge for delivery?

We now offer FREE Delivery to Clear Lake residents inside the city limits. Otherwise we charge $.75 per mile round trip. We are working on a pick up point in Clear Lake, stay tuned!

How far in advance do I need to order?

Ideally, we would like 48 hours notice to order boxes, however, we are willing to fulfill last minute orders. For any order needed sooner than 48 hours, email christina@charcuteme.com to place your order.