We are witnessing a deli renaissance.
Attribute it to the torrent of TikToks deli, to our ever-present need to snap photos of the aesthetically pleasing things we eat, or simply to the delight of salty meats and buttery cheeses. Whatever the reason, we are happy that people are embracing the art of the sausage board.
Several deli businesses were opened during the pandemic. For many who were unemployed due to COVID-19, designing and selling sausage boards became a passion and a way to earn money. As a result, in North Jersey we see more opulent and varied boards than ever.
If crunchy bread slathered with jam and creamy brie or hard Parmesan wrapped in melt-in-your-mouth salumi or crunchy biscuits with mild manchego sounds like heaven, consider ordering a platter from one of these local businesses for your next party.
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bin52, Paramus and Woodland Park
The bin52 gourmet food and liquor store is a great place to stop if you prefer a more hands-on experience when choosing your deli. Head to the cheese counter to have a specialist guide you through the different types of meats, cheeses, oils, olives, and spreads you can choose from for your board.
bin52 was founded by Margaret Merrill and Amanda Becker, who used to work for Fairway Markets.
Let’s go: 396 Route 17, Paramus, 201-701-1910; 1630 Route 46 West, Woodland Park, 973-567-7258, bin52.com.
Tackled, Bergen County
Private Chef Victoria Sandberg is more than happy to handle the deli for your party. Sandberg, a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York City with a BA in nutrition from Montclair, created her platters as a way to creatively serve guests at parties she cooked for. Their tables were filled with homemade sauces, jam, greens, berries, and fresh flowers and herbs, along with meats and cheeses.
“I got an incredible response and started getting calls right away,” he said.
Sandberg uses only organic products on its boards, including cheese from grass-fed cows and antibiotic-free cold cuts.
“What I love about making boards is that no two boards are alike and that’s what makes this business so much fun,” he said.
Boarded offers free delivery in Bergen County and delivery elsewhere in North Jersey and New York for a fee. Tables start at $ 125 and boxes start at $ 50
Go to stayboarded.com to place an order.
Daniella, Bergen, Hudson, and Essex County Dashboards
Daniella Galbo, owner of Boards by Daniella, said she has been known to go overboard when hosting parties by creating decadent extensions. “It really brings me joy,” he said.
So, during the quarantine, Galbo, who has a background in healthcare management, launched Boards by Daniella.
“I wanted to give people the opportunity to visually appreciate my art through food, try new flavor combinations and add something special to their events,” he said.
Tables full of raw, fruit, candy and more are available, beyond the average meat and cheese. And Galbo personally makes each table.
“I think it’s obvious that I put my heart into what I do. From the quality of the food to the placement and versatility. No two boards are the same and I am currently the only person in my company who makes the boards, “he said.
Boards by Daniella ships to parts of Bergen, Hudson and Essex counties and will travel for catering events. You can pick up your board at Fair Lawn or Garfield. Prices range from $ 75 to $ 280.
Go to boardsbydaniella.com to place an order.
Butler and the board, Montclair
The boards in this gourmet shop come with artisan cured meats and condiments made by Daniel Boulud’s alumnus Jeffrey Butler. Butler worked at excellent restaurants Daniel, Esca and Lupa, all in New York, and was an instructor at the French Culinary Institute (now the International Culinary Center).
“Nothing comes pre-packaged,” said Cathy Butler, who owns the restaurant with her husband. “Our meats are made by us. We use local suppliers for our cheese.”
Try the Pistachio Chicken Sausage and Chicken Liver Pate at your custom board.
Let’s go: 103 Forest St., Montclair; no phone, butlerandtheboard.com.
Farinolio, Westfield
Farinolio partners with food suppliers in Italy and local businesses to select a premium selection of meats, cheeses and accessories. His Prosciutto Toscano comes from a family business in Siena, said event director Laura Orlando. Golfetta salami is made with high quality pork from Italy. Only the leg is used and the meat is ground with spices and aromatic herbs. Farinolio also offers culatello, made from the muscles of the pig’s rear thigh.
To accompany these impeccable meats are bunches of sun-dried tomatoes, Castelvetrano olives, grilled artichokes and more. Each board also comes with Tuscan schiacciata bread (aka focaccia) freshly made daily.
“We are always looking for the next specialty meat that has to pass a rigorous test in terms of provenance, taste, use of preservatives, etc.,” Orlando said. “For example, our bologna does not use lactose as a preservative and is therefore more digestible and accessible for lactose-intolerant guests.”
Vegan tables with fruits, vegetables, and nuts are also available.
Delivery is available for orders over $ 300. Pick up at the Westfield store. Prices range from $ 20 to $ 135 +.
Let’s go: 121 E. Broad St., Westfield; 908-325-2486, farinolio.com.
Made with love, Jersey City
Cristina Parmagos was encouraged to start Fatto with Amore amid the pandemic by her family and friends. She is also an ESL teacher and babysitter.
“My mother was born and raised in Italy, so knowing how to cook and share food with others has always been in my blood,” she said. “Growing up, my best memories are around the table with the family.”
All of their imported cured meats and cheeses are ultra fresh, Parmagos said. He also prides himself on the edible flowers that are sent from a farm to fix the tables.
Fatto con Amore delivers throughout North Jersey and Monmouth County. It is based in Jersey City Heights. The prices are $ 15 (for 4 by 4 inches), $ 35 (6 by 6) and $ 55 (9 by 9). The price of anything bigger is based on the number of people.
Contact @fattoconamore_bycristina on Instagram to place an order.
More cheese please Bergen and Hudson counties
Michelle Recarte, a hotel management student, started More Cheese Please after losing her graduate job offer due to COVID-19. “I didn’t know what to do next,” he said.
Although he had never made a sausage board before, Recarte said: “I found the sausage market to be quite large and the supply was minimal in North Jersey, specifically in Bergen County. So I thought, why not? “
Recarte makes his own strawberry honey, which he said is a favorite on his boards. The CHOCuterie board, loaded with chocolate covered pretzels, cookies, and homemade s’mores cakes, is also popular.
More cheese please deliver to Bergen and Hudson counties. Or you can pick up your table in Recarte’s kitchen in Garfield. Prices range from $ 55 to $ 200.
Go to morecheesepleasenj.com to place an order.
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Pretty Plates of Paradiso, North Jersey
Pretty Plates de Paradiso owner Marianna Paradiso describes herself as a “total foodie”. A neurodiagnostic technician by trade, his sausage business is a side business.
“The antipasto is one of my favorite things to eat with a good glass of wine,” he said. “Once I started learning how to make it pretty, I thought, let’s feed the people.”
Paradiso adds edible 24-karat gold to most of its dishes, just to give it “that extra touch,” he said. Their salami roses are also a specialty. “Everybody always tells me they are too pretty to eat,” he said.
Pretty Plates by Paradiso delivers to all Bergen and Hudson counties. Or you can pick it up at an agreed place. Prices range from $ 55 to $ 150 +.
Send a message to @paradisos_pretty_plates on Instagram to place an order.
Plated by D, Lodi
Dylan Elias was inspired to start a deli business after his tables were a hit at some parties. Family and friends began flooding her with orders for one of her carefully crafted creations.
You choose the cheese, meat and accessories for your cheese box or table. Love creamy brie? Strong cheddar cheese? Chubby grapes? Rosemary sprigs and prosciutto slices? Elijah will arrange them wonderfully. Breakfast, dessert, vegetable and fruit trays are also offered, as well as picnic-ready packets.
Elias also owns a Ridgewood brunch restaurant called Plated and Cured with his father Mike Elias, who owns Ice Cream by Mike’s. Board prices range from $ 60 to $ 155.
Let’s go: 53 S Main St., Lodi; 201-741-0595. Go to platebyd.com to place an order.
Adina’s Trays, Bergenfield
First of all, Adina Rudin, a full-time teacher, founded Platters by Adina because she loves cheese. Second, he found that not many kosher companies offered cheese boards.
There is no deli on an Adina board, as pork is not kosher, nor is it kosher to serve meat and cheese together. Tables have cheese, crackers, and supplies.
Each Platters by Adina board is kosher and meatless and fully customizable. You can also make gluten free, nut and seed free boards and Chalav Yisrael. All cheese is cut by hand.
Platters by Adina offers free delivery in Bergen County, as well as delivery to other parts of New Jersey and New York for a fee. Pickup is available in Bergenfield. Prices range from $ 45 to $ 125.
Email plattersbyadina@gmail.com or go to @plattersbyadina on Instagram to place an order.
Others
Love on board: Go to facebook.com/loveonboards.
Greetings Cheese Boards: Go to @cheerscheeseboards on Instagram.
Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more information on where to dine and drink, sign up today and sign up for our North Jersey Eats newsletter.
Email: kingr@northjersey.com
Twitter: @rebeccakingnj
Instagram: @northjerseyeats