06/18/2026
Sadly, I have to clear the air, yet again.
First, we started this business after years of dreaming to . Not out of any desire to "compete" with others.
Competition is such a sad word. It makes for turmoil and often truly nasty behavior.
For years I had been creating Charcuterie boards for parties, family get togethers, etc.
I have an artsy soul, but gave up painting several years back.
And, I have loved to cook and create new recipes all of my life.
So, I combined the two loves, and so began our little "side business", Artful Culinary Creations.
We're both retired, but, don't want to just sit back. We never did do that! We've always been busy with something, be it coordinating events, wedding planning, or doing things for the community.
I have always promoted small businesses, most particularly when Covid shut my friends small businesses down. I started the Indiana PA Country Faire Market, to help them stay afloat.
That's what was needed and appreciated by those who participated then, and still do to this day.
That said, I did not start this to become a full, or even part time, cafe. I have no desire, at 68 years old, to work morning, noon and night.
However, at the urging of friends and family, I did supply different meals , mostly consisting of soups, during the winter months.
I plan to offer food on SOME weekends, that I'm not busy attending an outside event, or providing charcuterie or grazing tables to clients. Those days will be announced, but they may be few and far between during the summer months.
Hence the reason I can shut down the food service on weekends during the summer months, but not completely shut the shop down.
After all, we still have the winery here, and want to continue to take care of those customers!
It continues to come to my attention that I'm a "competitor".
That notion is ridiculous! We're a very small side business, just enjoying life and creating what we hope are beautiful and delicious displays!
The only advertising we do is via social media, a few outside events, and word of mouth.
We continue to promote other small businesses that appreciate the loyalty to them, and who do not bad mouth us or others. The ones that struggle to stay afloat some weeks, yet would never consider hurting others.
We don't march to the beat of our own drums, ignore rules and regulations, nor do we care what others do in their businesses!
We know what we can handle, and what we will pass on to one of these other businesses.
We sure don't take on a job we know we are not capable of performing quality work for!
We do, however, get a kick out of being labeled "competition"!
There are others that do charcuterie, too. We have promoted them. That is, if they earn it!
It's a real shame that there are those who feel compelled to continue on the path that may ultimately be their demise.
We truly do find enjoyment in being right here, in our little cabin in the woods, relaxing with family, friends and, most of all, clients.
We've lived that rat race life, and it's now just time to enjoy what we do!
We love that those who visit feel the same as we do, and can relax and spend time here.
And, we truly do appreciate our clients, and strive to keep them happy!
Oh, and I'm in the process, at the urging of friends and family, to compile a cook book!
It seems my "What's on Curry's Plate " posts has prompted these folks to keep asking me to write my recipes down.
Funniest thing is, I'm truly a "thrower" when it comes to many of my dishes! I go by taste, not by measurements!
Perhaps I'll have to mention that if/when that cookbook gets going!
