The Promise
In my very first blog, I made a promise to you all. I teased that there was a specific story behind the name Marycuterie, and I said I would share it soon. Well, “soon” is finally here. I’ve enjoyed building the suspense, but this weekend felt like the perfect time to pull back the curtain and show you exactly how this brand, and its look, came to life.
From Spreadsheets to Spreads
By day, my world is governed by numbers, spreadsheets, and the analytical rigor of finance. I spend eight hours a day looking at a screen, running performance reports and analyzing data. When it came time to build a “side hustle,” I knew one thing for certain: I didn’t want to spend my evenings looking at another screen.
I’ve always loved feeding people, but the traditional kitchen never felt like my studio. I didn’t want to bake or cook in the classic sense; I wanted a tactile, creative outlet that allowed me to use both sides of my brain. I wanted to use the creative side that usually takes a backseat during the workday.
The Birthday Epiphany
The spark finally ignited on my birthday. We were at a restaurant and ordered a charcuterie board. When it arrived, piled with folds of prosciutto, clusters of red grapes, and stone-ground mustard, I didn’t just see an appetizer; I saw a curated landscape.
I was fascinated by the intentionality of it all: the way the textures of the crackers complemented the cheeses and the pops of color from the garnishes. Looking at that wooden paddle, I realized that a grazing board felt like a blank canvas. Unlike a rigid recipe, I was free to “paint” it any way I wanted. I loved the idea of the “hunt”, shopping for those “little things” and meticulously curating ingredients into something beautiful. I realized I didn’t need a stove to be an artist; I just needed the right canvas.
The Word Game: Mixing Mary + Charcuterie
When it came time to name this new venture, I knew I didn’t want a generic title. I wanted the brand to be an extension of myself because the art was a direct expression of my own eye. I started playing a bit of a word game. I toyed with names like “Graze by Mary” or “Charcuterie by Mary,” but they felt too separate. I wanted to be in the middle of the craft, literally.
That’s when it clicked: I decided to mix my name, Mary, directly into the word Charcuterie. By blending the two together, I created “Marycuterie.” It ensured my identity and the craft were forever intertwined. It has worked so well, in fact, that I often get a laugh when people ask if “Cuterie” is my actual last name! While I haven’t officially changed my ID yet, I take it as a compliment that the brand and the person have become one and the same.
The Anatomy of the Logo
Because the name was so personal, the logo had to be, too. I didn’t just want a pretty icon; I wanted it to be a literal representation of my work. When you look at the Marycuterie logo, you’re looking at a bird’s-eye view of a finished platter:
- The Yellows: Represent the rich, diverse cheeses that anchor every board.
- The Greens: Represent the fresh herbs and garnishes that bring the art to life.
- The Reds: Represent the savory meats and fruits that add depth and color.
- The Center: And right there in the middle, where the heart of the platter sits, is my name.
The Signature on the Canvas
I chose a handwritten font for “Marycuterie” specifically because it resembles a signature. When a painter finishes a masterpiece, they sign the bottom right corner of the canvas.
I treat every box and every large-scale grazing table with that same reverence. When I place my logo on the bottom right of a finished order, it isn’t just branding. It is my way of saying, “I hand-curated every inch of this for you.” It’s my personal seal of approval, ensuring that what you’re receiving is more than just food, it’s a signed piece of grazing artistry.
The Road Ahead
The jump from that birthday epiphany to actually launching this business was a wild ride of its own. I can’t wait to share those “early days” stories with you down the road, but for now, I’m just happy to finally have my name in the middle of the art.
I’m curious! How do you ‘unplug’ after a long day at work? Is there a tactile hobby or a creative escape that helps you reset? Let’s chat below!