Social media has turned charcuterie into a viral art form. It is often presented as a board with various meats, surrounded by complementary foods like nuts, crackers, fruits, and dips. By definition, charcuterie means the art of preserving meat. In practice, the owners of the new Fig Charcuterie in Haddon Township are putting the “cute” in charcuterie.
Maureen and Ben DiMarco, newlyweds both born and raised in South Jersey, decided to start a business together. Fig Charcuterie turns their love of food and shareable dining experiences into something they can offer customers. They hope their products will create the same smiles and memories that grazing boards have brought them. In particular, they believe charcuterie boards make parties more fun by bringing people together. “I think charcuterie boards are popular because you don’t really have to commit to one specific thing,” Maureen says. “It has different textures and flavors. It has something for everyone.”
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A Variety of Tastes
Fig Charcuterie offers both premade and build-your-own board options. For example, they create a “board of the month” with a specific theme. Previous boards include a St. Patrick’s Day board, which included a shamrock-shaped cookie from a local bakery; and a Valentine’s Day board including heart-shaped macaroons and skewers with cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. Meanwhile, April’s Easter board features Peeps and Easter chocolates.
Likewise, Fig Charcuterie lets patrons build their own boards from a list of available ingredients. Boards can include cheeses, fruits, veggies, nuts, spreads, jams, and of course, cured meats. They also offer wooden cutting boards engraved with their logo, for an additional charge. Click here to see their in-stock product catalog.
If the grazing experience of a charcuterie board is less appealing, Fig Charcuterie makes individual charcuterie-style cups. They fill these paper, flat-bottomed cups with skewers of fruits and salami; as well as a treat like chocolate-covered almonds at the bottom. “I’m trying to make the experience better than what people are expecting,” Maureen says. “That’s what keeps people coming back.”
Maureen’s favorite part of a board starts by taking a raisin and rosemary crisp cracker; She then tops it with salami, sharp cheddar, and hot honey or strawberry preserves. “It’s salty, sweet, and crunchy,” she says.
About Fig Charcuterie
Fig Charcuterie is based out of Haddon Kitchen Incubator, a commercial kitchen in Haddon Township. Patrons can either pick up directly from the kitchen, or request delivery within 10 miles of it. They also plan to attend upcoming events, such as the Haddonfield Farmers’ Market and Valenzano Wine Festival. Fig Charcuterie can accommodate dietary restrictions, but require advanced notice while placing an order. Prices depend on each board’s size and contents.
Maureen was a critical care nurse for years. But she wanted to try something new, and friends and family have always raved about her boards. At first, she took time off from nursing to pursue her own business. But now she balances both, working as a nurse during the day while devoting her nights and weekends to Fig Charcuterie. Since purchasing a home in Collingswood, she’s been blown away by the support from the local community; who have been welcoming of the newlyweds and their business from the get-go.
Fig Charcuterie is located in Haddon Township. Visit them on social media for a list of upcoming events, and for details about their board of the month. To learn more: Click here to visit their website or follow them on Instagram.
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All Photos: © Fig Charcuterie / Facebook
