Gourmet food business expanding after grazing boxes hit
In March 2020 Covid-19 forced Gourmet Grazing NI to shut shop after just 12 months in business but a new ‘Grazing Box’ range proved a hit, leading to an eight-fold growth for the start-up business.
Founder Emma Shuter said: “Before lockdown, we were very busy with corporate orders and weddings and provided Grazing Tables and Platters across Northern Ireland.
“When the restrictions were implemented we were unable to operate and overnight all our orders were cancelled. I had to adapt very quickly and created a Grazing Box filled to the brim with cheese, charcuterie, antipasti, home-made caramelised walnuts, other nuts, artisan crackers, fresh berries, dried fruit and homemade chutneys.
“The first night that I added the new box to our social channels, we received 120 orders, so I knew I was on to something and from there the demand continued to grow.
Bank of Ireland, Power NI, PwC, Next, A&L Goodbody, Channel 4 and KPMG were among the start-up’s customers.
Founder Emma Shuter, above, has now introduced the firm’s first postal boxes, with the aim of delivering fresh, seasonal grazing produce across the north.
Recalling how the March 2020 lockdown had impacted her events catering business, she said: When the restrictions were implemented we were unable to operate and overnight all our orders were cancelled.
“I had to adapt very quickly and created a Grazing Box filled to the brim with cheese, charcuterie, antipasti, home-made caramelised walnuts, other nuts, artisan crackers, fresh berries, dried fruit and homemade chutneys.
“The first night that I added the new box to our social channels, we received 120 orders, so I knew I was on to something and from there the demand continued to grow.”
Looking ahead to an expansion of the home delivery business with postal boxes, Emma added: “We’re very thankful for our continued growth and have strong plans in place to support this including the creation of five new jobs in 2022 and an expansion of our online deli and product offering.”
