Grazing Kitchen Grazes Through the Pandemic

Having been raised by two entrepreneur parents, Laina Pruitt always had a new business in mind. “Some were ridiculous and some just didn’t align with my passions,” she laughs, describing a “pillow company” that didn’t quite take off at 17 and a “coffee-on-wheels” idea she had just last year. Powered by a drive to secure the freedom of owning a business, she constantly was thinking of innovative ways to become her own boss. 

In December of 2019, the 26-year-old was working two jobs as a flight attendant and a waitress. One day, while flying, she was brainstorming with a fellow flight attendant about how to create their dream jobs. Laina knew her passion lay in food, having worked in the food industry for over 10 years and having made a name for herself in her friend group via her go-to appetizer of cheese boards.

She decided to post a photo of one of her fan-favorite charcuterie boards on a local Facebook page to see if anyone outside her crew would be interested in buying them. When she woke up the next morning she had over 500+ people who had liked the photo and endless comments inquiring on how to purchase one.

Pruitt immediately jumped into business mode.

“My next step was to do a secondary post offering my cheese boards for cost so I could create content for my Instagram page,” she recalls. When that post also went viral, she knew she had something special on her hands. 

Following the positive reaction from social media came a frenzy of orders, and suddenly she was the proud boss-lady-in-charge of her dream job, Grazing Kitchen, specializing in one-of-a-kind modern charcuterie grazing boards and boxes, handcrafted and made-to-order in San Clemente.

Pruitt created a website for easier ordering and counted on local community, friends, and family for support and resources like art and design. The brand quickly booked out weddings and company parties (their Grazing Tables can feed between 40-200 guests) not knowing COVID-19 was just around the bend. 

“On the forefront of the pandemic nearly every single customer canceled their orders and we were left to brainstorm how we could keep Grazing Kitchen alive,” explains Pruitt. “We started by creating a Grazing Box that we knew would be a perfect way to feed a family who is stuck in their homes.” 

In just a few weeks they were back in action creating 20+ orders a day. Their Grazing Boxes feed 2-4 people and cost $45 and their Grazing Boards run between $75-$150 and can feed between 5-12 people. All of Grazing Kitchen’s offerings are prepared while using masks and gloves, using high-quality meats, cheese, and fruits, complete with garnishing and edible flowers. 

Pruitt runs her business based on the belief that modern charcuterie creates quality experiences that leave lasting impressions and memories.

While Pruitt has had to quickly learn how to pivot and navigate a new business throughout one of history’s most turbulent times, she’s thankful she has created a career she loves for herself and the people whom she sources her ingredients from. 

Indeed, in July of 2020 she got word that she would be one of those affected by furloughs at the airline, and while that news would be devastating for many, she describes how fulfilled she currently feels and how much joy she gets waking up at crazy early hours to use her talents to make a special board for a special occasion. 

“While I’m grateful for the friendships I created while flying, I am personally happy to close that door and swing open Grazing Kitchen’s double doors,” she says with a smile. “My absolute favorite experience of being a business owner is the joy and light I get to bring to so many different homes and all of the beautiful people I get to meet in my community.”

To place an order, visit GrazingKitchen.com. (They regularly sell out, so booking a week in advance is recommended.)

Photos by Alexa Pilato. Visit her on Instagram at @currentsofcapri or on her website at lexandthelotus.com.