How one dinner party sparked the creation of Austin’s favorite charcuterie and grazing table business.
From Grill Station to Charcuterie Business
In the summer of 2015, I (Chef Ryan Francis) was cooking at the renowned Odd Duck Restaurant in Austin, Texas. It was a hot, busy night, and I was manning the grill station when a couple at the bar leaned over and asked, “Would you ever do a dinner party at our house?”
Without hesitation, and maybe without thinking too much about logistics, I said, “Absolutely.”
That single “yes” changed the course of my career. After a quick consultation and a private dinner party later, something clicked. A light went off in my head, an idea that would spark a decade of growth and eventually lead to building a new side of my business..
The Birth of Charcuterie and Grazing in Austin.
As I hosted more and more dinner parties around Austin, something interesting started to happen. Guests began asking me not just for dinners, but for charcuterie boards and grazing tables. At first, I thought, “Sure, why not?” I love charcuterie and all I really needed to do is make it pretty.
Turns out, people loved it. Word spread. Suddenly, Gather and Forge was being recognized not only for private chef dinners but also for these overflowing, picture-perfect grazing tables. What started as a few side requests became hundreds of boards a year and that was without even trying to market it.
When a side gig turns into a real business..
About four years ago, we were doing nearly 80 charcuterie boards a year.. again, completely organically. No advertising, no official “charcuterie division,” just a lot of demand and a chef (me) who couldn’t resist building edible art.
Enter: Mackenzie Francis, my sister. Mackenzie began helping with Gather and Forge and quickly showed an incredible eye for design. One day, I asked her, “What do you think about taking on all the charcuterie boards and grazing tables?”
Without hesitation, she said, “I’d love to.”
And she meant it. Over the next couple of years, Mackenzie took on more and more grazing table gigs. She mastered the craft. She styled boards that made people stop mid-conversation just to admire them. Slowly, we realized this wasn’t just an add-on service.. it had the potential to stand on its own.
Problem Solving the Business of Grazing
Of course, realizing there’s demand is one thing. Turning it into a scalable business is another. We faced two major challenges:
Overflowing Inquiries – We simply couldn’t keep up with requests. For every board we said yes to, there were a handful we had to turn down.
Structure – We needed to define what this business would look like. A clear brand, a clear offering, and a way to serve Austin without burning out.
As we brainstormed over countless lunches (yes, always food-related meetings), one question kept coming up: “What exactly are people trying to accomplish when they order a grazing table?”
The answer was simple but powerful: they want bite-sized joy. Little nibbles of food for guests to enjoy without stress, hassle, or a sit-down meal.
Finding the Perfect Name: Nibble
Once we understood the heart of the service, the name came naturally. I remember lying in bed one night, searching for synonyms for “snack” or “bite,” when I saw the word nibble.
I immediately texted Mackenzie: “What about Nibble?”
Her response? “I LOVE IT!!!”
And just like that, Nibble was born — a brand dedicated solely to charcuterie boards and grazing tables in Austin, Texas.
Why Austin Needs Nibble..
Austin is known for its incredible food scene, from food trucks to fine dining. But what we noticed was a gap.. nobody was specializing in high-quality, design-focused grazing tables and boards that were both delicious and beautiful.
That’s where Nibble fits in. Whether it’s:
A baby shower in South Austin
A corporate happy hour downtown
A Hill Country wedding
Or just a casual wine night with friends in Westlake
…Nibble offers a way to elevate the occasion with fresh, artfully arranged spreads that spark conversation and delight guests.
The Craft of the Grazing Table.
Creating a great grazing table is part artistry, part logistics. It’s not just piling cheese and crackers on a board (though, let’s be honest, that’s never a bad idea). It’s about:
Sourcing the best local ingredients from Austin farms and markets.
Balancing flavors — sweet, salty, savory, and tangy all in one spread.
Styling for impact, because guests eat with their eyes first.
Portion planning so no one leaves hungry (or fighting over the last piece of prosciutto).
Mackenzie has developed a knack for creating boards that are equal parts edible art and crowd-pleaser, and it’s what makes Nibble stand out above other companies in the Austin area.
The Journey Ahead..
Starting a new business within a business hasn’t been easy, but it’s been exciting. We’re driven by a simple mission: to make every event in Austin a little more beautiful and a lot more delicious both at Nibble and Gather and Forge.
We know there’s a void in the market, and we’re determined to fill it with creativity, passion, and a touch of Francis family charm.
Join Us at the Table!
So here we are. After hundreds of boards, countless satisfied guests, and one late-night “what if” text message, we’re officially inviting you into the world of Nibble.
If you’re hosting a baby shower, birthday, wedding, wine night, or corporate event in Austin, let us create a custom charcuterie board or grazing table for you.
Because at the end of the day, life’s too short not to nibble. 😉
If you are ready to elevate your next event with a grazing table designed by Austin’s charcuterie experts? Contact us today to learn more about Nibble by Gather and Forge, and let’s create something unforgettable together.