Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Ormsby.
Hi Karen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’m from Australia, which is one of the world’s most multicultural countries. So most of my friends growing up were 1st generation Aussies, when I went to their homes I was eating their foods… mostly from Italy, Greece, Malta, and other European countries.
Fast forward to being a wife & mother, I’ve been creating beautiful spreads for every family celebration for years.
Then about 12 years ago, someone in Australia created a catering company that specialized in grazing & it took off.
Soon there was a huge grazing industry there, & it wasn’t long before it spread around the world.
About 6 years ago I decided I wanted to be the first to bring the grazing catering industry to Utah, I knew people would love it here just as much as around the world. But I talked myself out of it for a few months, because I already had a great job. But eventually, I couldn’t deny that little voice in my head any longer. So I gave myself $1000 & 3 months to see if I could make it work. And here I am over 5 years later, the original & premium grazing/charcuterie caterer in Utah.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
For the most part, I would say it has been smooth. Of course, there are always challenges when your product is fresh food. I will only ever accept the best, so that can mean a lot of driving from one vendor to another, often backtracking, making sure I find the best available.
Of course, Covid laid some bumps in the road, but I just pivoted and was still very successful in 2020. I did a lot of boxes for companies, they had been used to doing big lunches with employees, I made hundreds of our smallest boxes (ideal for one) and delivered them to company employees all over Utah & Salt Lake County, which then allowed them to all eat the same food together while on zoom meetings.
I also introduced our cones, ideal for those who still wanted to gather, but did not touch food at the same table. Our cones have since gone on to be one of our most requested items.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I cater delicious foods through beautiful charcuterie/grazing displays for any special event, big or small. Not only are the foods we choose locally sourced as much as possible and delicious but they’re served in a style that brings people together.
My grazing/charcuterie tables, platters, boxes, cones & domes are made with the highest quality ingredients and the utmost care. I believe your catered food should not only taste delicious but should be visually gorgeous too.
What sets me apart is my experience, I’m not just putting foods together that look good, but it’s equally important that the foods all complement each other. My educated palate is what gives me the ability to make sure every food placed in your catered grazing/charcuterie order works together.
What makes you happy?
I can honestly say, feeding others is my language of love! I love creating something special, whether it’s dinner with the family, baking & decorating cakes for family & friends, watching food network shows, or creating a graze for Oakford Gourmet, I truly love creating food that makes memories.
Grazing is elevating the social component of eating together. It brings people together over food, discovering what they like, trying something new & sharing that new discovery with their friends, it lends itself to the conversation and sparks memories.
How could I not be happy with that?!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oakfordgourmet.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakfordgourmet/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakfordGourmetSelections
