Living in Tucson, we’re all very lucky to have so many makers, markets, and just plain creative people providing unique eats and gifts to share (or to enjoy on your own). One of those local entrepreneurs is Emili Krzyzanowski of Humble Board.
From the beginning, Humble Board has been about bringing folks together, whether it be a gathering in a dining room, soaking up the sun during an outdoor picnic, or somewhere between 31,000 and 38,000 feet up in the air. Yes, Krzyzanowski’s charcuterie creations, AKA Grazing Tables, have hit the skies, but we’ll get to that fun story in just a bit.
Meat, cheese, fruit, and vegetables. It’s all there in grand fashion on one of Humble Boards’ jumbo Grazing Tables. Krzyzanowski, who’s even spent some time working and making cheese on a goat farm, offers two types of Grazing Tables and both can handle hungry crowds of 25+ guests.
“I started by working on a goat farm in Alaska,” said Krzyzanowski. “I learned how to make cheese during kidding season, which is when the goats have their babies. I was helping with milking chores and just overall farm chores. One of the things the lady I was working for taught me how to do was to make cheese from fresh raw goat’s milk. For a while, I was thinking that I wanted to be a cheesemaker and have a farm, which is still something I’d love to do someday. But, through making cheese and making cheese boards for friends, family members, events, and just for fun, I fell in love with it. So, I decided to turn it into a full-time career.”
As mentioned, there are two variations of Grazing Tables: a Tiered Grazing Table and a Flat Lay Grazing Table.
The Tiered Grazing table includes a plethora of cheeses, cured meats, pickled vegetables, olives, housemade jam, mustard, fruit, floral decorations, crackers, and locally made fresh baguettes. To make even fancier and eye-catching, the table incorporates wooden boards, tiered cake stands, crystal tableware, florals, and more.
The Flat Lay Grazing Table includes the same edible additions but is displayed on compostable tableware instead, which manifests a beautiful “grazing experience” with the easy post-munch marathon clean-up.
Both of these boards are visually stunning — something that oughta induce plenty of reactions at your next get-together.
“I would say my favorite part is probably just building them in general, playing with the movement — the color and texture,” said Krzyzanowski. “And then seeing people’s reactions. All of that is definitely in my top favorite reasons why I do this.”
Also, if you’re not looking for something so large, or simply lack the space for a Grazing Table that’s the size of a small vehicle, Humble Board offers Charcuterie Boards in multiple sizes, Brunch Boxes, Crudités Boards, and even cute, little Charcuterie Cups. The handheld cups are crammed with the same meat, cheese, veggies, and more. They’re perfect for open houses, corporate events, bridal showers, and more.
There’s definitely nothing to hate about the delights Krzyzanowski offers. So far, she’s been able to cater weddings, parties, and other large meetings, but when it comes to one of her favorite experiences, getting the opportunity to have her food enjoyed at least 30,000 miles up in the sky takes the cake.
“I would say the coolest thing that I ever got to make was a board for someone’s chartered flight,” said Krzyzanowski. “It got delivered to Davis Monthan and then onto a private jet. That was a very cool day for me. It was very, very exciting to think of my cheese board flying over Tucson.”
Speaking of skippin’ town and soaring over Tucson, Krzyzanowski loves to travel and would one day love to see her Humble Board creations do the same. While the Old Pueblo is her home, it’d be an incredible accomplishment to see her Grazing Tables available in other parts of the country.
“I started doing Humble Board casually when I lived in Oakland,” said Krzyzanowski. “I am born and raised in Tucson but I lived in Oakland for about six years. So, I’d love to expand to different places. I love traveling and if this goes that way, I’m definitely not going to be opposed to it.”
For now, Humble Board is our very own treasure here in the Sonoran Desert.
At the moment, Krzyzanowski’s creations are available in all of Arizona and she offers pick-up options and board delivery in all areas of Tucson. If you’re outside of Tucson, your location is subject to a travel fee.
For more information and to make an order, visit humbleboard.com.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
