By Ann Cipperly
Served as a hearty appetizer or a meal, charcuterie boards are French in origin and feature cured meats, cheeses, fruit, nuts, olives and other accompaniments. Kristy Appleton of Auburn Board and Box has a passion for creating artistic charcuterie and cheese boards, featuring a tasty variety of classic and themed options, garnished with rose-shaped vegetables and meats.
Kristy, who grew up in Auburn, met her husband, Darin, while attending Auburn University. While she is a busy mother with three young children, she started the business in August 2023 to express her love of creativity and designing boards.
The Auburn Board and Box combines two businesses, catering and grab-and-go boards. “Our catering is delivered and set up onsite of the event,” Kristy says, “while our grab-and-go boards are available for preorder and pickup in Auburn. Our boards are created in a classic or themed style.”
Kristy learned how to create charcuterie and cheese boards by watching a variety of experts online. “I follow many other charcuterie creators,” she says. “I am interested in what makes some grazing tables more beautiful than others, especially when it is mostly using the same ingredients in the presentation.
“For a grazing table, we go to the site and set up the food on a table, counter, bar, etc. for the customer,” Kristy adds. “The flat lays are put on butcher paper on top of the customer’s surface. The raised grazing tables are put on butcher paper as well, but with a combo of wooden risers and boards to elevate the food. Florals and greenery are also included.”
Kristy feels that details matter when presenting to make the food not only taste delicious but is a statement piece for the event. “It is a hard balancing act to merge beauty and flavors,” she says. “Some of the best cheeses don’t present well on the board, while some of the most attractive cheeses aren’t as appetizing. It is finding that balance between taste and beauty that makes the difference for each customer and guest.”
The charcuterie and cheese boards can be created with a theme using certain colors for a season or holiday. Among the themed grazing table boards Kristy has created include for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Auburn in orange and blue, Halloween and in red and white for the Lee County Junior League.
She has also made boards featuring desserts, brunch and in kid friendly flavors. Their grab-and-go boards are also made in a classic style or themed version.
One of the best sellers is The Birthday Board, which includes three cheeses, two meats, fruits, desserts and a jam. It also comes with a cupcake and candle for the birthday celebration.
The Tailgate Board is also a favorite with an orange-and-blue theme. The salami is shaped into a football, and an Aubie cookie completes the board.
Other popular grab-and-go board themes that can be ordered include The Cross, Fourth of July, The Engagement Ring, Welcome Baby, Christmas, Fall, Easter and Valentine’s Day.
All the boards include cheeses, meats, fruits, pickled veggies, dip/jam, treats, nuts, and crackers served on the side. Serving utensils are also included with all orders. The cheeses and meats the business uses vary based on what is seasonally available. Kristy will include at least a hard cheese, soft cheese and a flavored cheese, as well as a variation of salami, pepperoni and prosciutto.
“No board is alike,” Kristy says, “and we love creating custom orders for our customers’ event themes and needs.”
On the grab-and-go orders, the boards are made from palm leaves and are sturdy, while the mini and executive boxes are made from cardboard with a plastic lid. For transporting the small, medium and large palm leaf boards, they are placed on a cardboard bakery box. The extra-large size is inserted into a clear cellophane sleeve. Wooden boards are offered seasonally as an upgrade.
Prep work is done in an inspected commercial kitchen, and they deliver and install catering orders and grazing tables. Premade boards can be picked up in Auburn.
The grab-and-go boards require two days’ notice, and catering orders need seven days’ notice. During home football games, graduation and major holidays, the business will sell out in two or three weeks in advance.
“Our customer base is incredibly loyal and keeps us busy,” Kristy adds. “We encourage booking early to make sure a date is available.”
The business offers charcuterie workshops for clubs, civic groups, friend groups, birthday parties, date nights and for company team building events. “They are always a hit,” she says.
“I love being a part and contributing to a vibrant small business and event community that we have in Auburn and Opelika,” Kristy states. “As someone who grew up in Auburn, and as a third-generation resident, I’m so proud of Auburn/Opelika, our growth, and the opportunities we have here on The Plains.
“It has an incredible small-town feel, with endless opportunities. There is nowhere else in the world I’d rather live or do business.”
For further information and ordering go to auburnboardandbox.com.
