Meet Crystal Hancock | Charcuterie Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal Hancock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I didn’t really set out to start a business, it just kind of happened. It all started when I made a charcuterie box as a gift for my mom’s boss that was retiring. When I delivered it to the office everyone loved it and was asking if I they order one. It went from boxes, to boards, to grazing tables, and now classes! It also all started during Covid. I was a nurse at JPS and worked in the Covid ICU. Making charcuterie creations for people was a nice distraction and also was a fun creative outlet during a rough time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I do all things charcuterie! Charcuterie boxes, cups, boards, grazing tables, and even offer classes where people can learn the craft of charcuterie! I am most proud of the fact that I literally started this whole thing all from making a box as a gift. I had never done anything charcuterie related before and boom made a box and it exploded from there! I pretty much taught myself just from looking at different photos on Pinterest and Instagram. I have had to work through some challenges as I am a very busy mom just like anyone else. Trying to juggle my job as a nurse, being a wife, a mom, involved in my church I love, Highridge Church, and my charcuterie business Gather at the Table. It’s a lot! I do love it though! I love the fact that people trust me to be a part of their lives and special occasions by allowing me to make them something that is not only beautiful but delicious! I mean who doesn’t love meat and cheese….and that it looks like a work of art! Some lessons I have had to learn along the way is I can’t do it all! I feel like that is a hard one for women in general. We want to be everything to everyone and we just can’t. The Lord never meant that for us. We can’t pour from an empty cup. So, for me it’s very important that I keep my relationship with the Lord first. Not getting too busy to spend time filling my cup by spending time in prayer and reading my Bible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
That is a hard one as I like to do all the things! I am a huge extravert and am always up for fun and going somewhere! I love trying new things! If my best friends and I were heading out for a fun time I would say we would definitely start with brunch! One of my favorite brunch places is Fixe Southern House in Clearfork. We would head out to do some shopping! Some of my favorite places to shop are in the Clearfork area and University Park. Both of them have some really great boutiques as well as places to eat and grab a fun cocktail or glass of wine. Some of my favorite everyday places to eat are Chuy’s, Coco Shrimp, and Spice. If you want to get a little fancy, I love The Capital Grill, The Fitgerald, and Del Frisco’s! You can’t come to Fort Worth and not visit the historic Stockyards and the infamous Joe T Garcia’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I start with crediting all my success and where I am in life to the Lord. He knew that I needed that creative outlet and distraction during Covid and it’s been such a huge blessing to me and my family. I also want to thank my husband, Ryan, as he is always encouraging me to chase my dreams. He is always up for grocery pickups and running to get me last minute supplies when I need them. He is my biggest supporter!

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