Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Pettus
Hi Kelsey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I never set out to start a charcuterie business—if you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be running CHS Coastal Charcuterie full-time, I probably would’ve laughed. My background is actually in healthcare—I worked as a respiratory therapist for over 10 years, spending my days in acute and critical care settings.
One day, kind of on a whim, I made a charcuterie board for a get-together. I had no idea what I was doing—I just knew I loved food, and I loved making things look beautiful. Before I knew it, friends and family started asking me to make boards for their events. What started as a fun little side hustle quickly turned into something much bigger. By July 2020, I realized this was more than just a hobby—it was the start of something real.
Fast forward, and I took a leap of faith, leaving healthcare to go all in on CHS Coastal Charcuterie. Now, with a team of six, we create everything from custom charcuterie boards to full grazing tables, single-serve options, and even Charleston’s first and only mobile charcuterie cart. We’ve catered everything from intimate gatherings to corporate events, weddings, and large-scale conferences. I’ve learned so much about business, branding, and the importance of building real connections with people along the way.
It’s been a fun but wild almost five years, and I can’t wait to see what’s next! I’m beyond grateful for the support of our amazing customers, community, and the Lord for continually blessing this business.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, absolutely not a smooth road—more like a winding, pothole-filled backroad with no GPS! I had to figure everything out as I went, from taxes (which felt like learning a foreign language) to balancing work and life (still a work in progress, honestly). There were plenty of late nights, a few “what have I gotten myself into?” moments, and a lot of trial and error. But honestly, every challenge has made this journey even more rewarding. It’s been a wild ride, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At CHS Coastal Charcuterie, we’re all about making gatherings delicious, easy, and memorable. Whether you need a quick bite for a casual get-together or full-scale catering for a big event, we’ve got you covered!
You can order directly from our website for pickup or delivery, and it’s not just charcuterie—we offer dessert boards, crudité platters, sandwich trays, and more. Need lunch for the office or a group gathering? Our Party Bundle is a fan favorite because it includes charcuterie, salads, sandwiches, and desserts—basically everything you need in one package.
For large-scale events and weddings, our grazing tables are a show-stopper, providing a beautifully styled spread that guests can graze on throughout the event. And if you want something interactive and unique, our charcuterie cart is Charleston’s first and only mobile charcuterie experience, perfect for weddings, cocktail hours, and corporate events.
We also offer private workshop classes, where we bring everything needed for your group to learn how to build their own charcuterie board to take home—perfect for team-building, bridal parties, or just a fun night with friends.
At the end of the day, we’re all about good food, good company, and making life easier for whoever’s in charge of the food.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Honestly, I don’t really believe in luck—I believe in God’s timing. There have been moments that felt like things were falling into place perfectly, and others where I was convinced everything was falling apart. But looking back, even the challenges and “bad luck” moments were just opportunities to learn, grow, and trust that it would all work out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chscoastalcharcuterie.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chscoastalcharcuterie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHSCoastalCharcuterie/
Image Credit:
Emerson Grace Photography
Click Away Photo
