Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Haines.
Hi Caitlin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a kid, instead of watching cartoons, I was glued to Food Network shows. Good Eats with Alton Brown was my favorite. I’d try to recreate recipes for my family, usually making a big mess in the process. Back then, it had never occurred to me that I could actually be a chef. The kitchen has always been a place of inspiration for me, and no matter where life takes me, I always find myself back in it.
My first career was as a high school culinary arts teacher, even though I had no formal culinary training. I spent my nights testing recipes, learning how to use knives properly, and understanding what temperature cookies brown best at. It was chaotic, creative, and shaped the way I approach food today.
I moved to Nashville in early 2020 and found myself in an office, occasionally moonlighting as a personal chef, prepping meals for families. I would prep meals and drop them off all over Nashville. I loved helping people enjoy food together, but I realized I wanted something more interactive—something where I could connect with people in real time, see their reactions, and create a little magic around food. By the end of 2024, I felt ready to take that leap. That’s when the idea for Eat Well Charcuterie (a mobile charcuterie and snack bar) hit me, and I decided to go for it.
I had no idea what I was doing. Sure, I’d made my fair share of charcuterie boards and grazing tables, but I didn’t know how to run a business. So, before I even had a business license or a cart, I signed up to be a vendor at a bridal expo. I found a carpenter on Facebook Marketplace, invested $500, borrowed a pickup truck, and four weeks later drove to Atlanta to pick up my custom cart. That’s when everything started to feel real.
The bridal show was my first big moment as a business owner. It was an experience full of learnings, surprises, and the realization that this little idea of mine could actually become something meaningful. From there, Eat Well Charcuterie truly came to life, blending my love of food with my passion for connecting people and creating joyful experiences.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road, but it’s been a fun one!
Starting a business with zero experience in operations meant I had to learn everything the hard way. The food was the easy part! I can pair cheeses and fold salami in my sleep. The tricky part was everything else. Figuring out marketing, transporting the cart (my little Ford Focus wasn’t going to cut it!), and navigating licenses, insurance, and all the legal stuff at once.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes, too. Like that one time I bought double the amount of cheese that was actually needed. But those little “oops” moments taught me to pivot, be a solution seeker, and keep showing up, even when things feel overwhelming. My goal has always been to provide my customers with the best experience, stress-free for them (even if it’s a little more chaotic on my end).
The biggest growth has come from trusting myself, learning as I go, and keeping my focus on the people behind each event. Those moments shaped my confidence, and they’ve shaped Eat Well Charcuterie into what it is today.
As you know, we’re big fans of Eat Well Charcuterie Bar. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Eat Well Charcuterie is a mobile charcuterie cart experience designed to be as effortless for hosts as it is unforgettable for guests. We bring a beautifully curated cart to your event, featuring a menu of 12 elevated charcuterie items that are continuously replenished (and kept on ice) so the experience always feels magical.
Guests get to create their own personal mini boards with the help of a dedicated server, making it interactive, fun, and memorable. Everything is thoughtfully stored and kept fresh throughout the event, so you can relax knowing the food is always at its best and your guests are happy.
Brand-wise, I’m proud that Eat Well Charcuterie feels warm, special, and people-centered. While our cart service is the big show stopper, I work with customers to understand their needs and create provide other options as well. From charcuterie cups, to cannoli dessert carts, we make it happen!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
So many people deserve credit! My friends and family were my biggest cheerleaders from day one, believing in the idea before I even had a cart to show. My fiancé who supports all my crazy ideas, and my sister who is often serving guests right beside me.
I’m also inspired daily by my chef friends, whose advice, creativity, and own businesses motivate me to keep growing and experimenting.
The Nashville community has been incredible, too. From my very first clients who trusted me to bring their visions to life, to repeat clients and referrals who continue to come back and spread the word, to vendors and fellow small business owners who offer encouragement and connections.
And honestly, every guest we serve deserves a shoutout. Their excitement, curiosity, and love for the experience remind me why I built this business in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eatwellwithcait.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatwellcharcuteriebar/#
