Angie Hood is shaking up the CSRA catering world.
Charcuterie boards typically contain a variety of meat, cheese, fruit, and crackers. But Hood adds her own signature dishes, such as homemade Brussels sprouts and bacon bite-sized pizzas and stuffed dates with honey, paprika, and goat cheese, to her boards.
The owner of Blooms, Boards & More, launched her home-based business one year ago after being laid off due to Covid. She also makes other foods, such as cheesecakes and pound cakes, as well as vegetable wreaths and fruit platters.
“I started out doing parties for friends,” Hood said. “People were just blown away by what I was doing.”
These friends encouraged her to start her own business, which has taken off over the past year. For example, she now handles much larger parties. During Masters Week, Hood catered one for 200 people at Southbound Smokehouse in SRP Park in North Augusta.
For parties, she charges $15-$20 per person depending on the types of foods her customers order.
“Some request their favorites, and some say, ‘girl, do your thing,’” Hood said.
While charcuterie boards have become increasingly popular in recent years, they actually date back to 15th century France.
Besides food, the business also incorporates her passion for crafts. She makes wreaths and floral arrangements, which she has done for many years.
“I love putting things together and making them pretty,” Hood said.
Starting Blooms, Boards & More was a major job change for her. For much of her career, she worked in newspaper advertising sales, including 10 years at The Augusta Chronicle. Hood also briefly worked at Phoenix Printing. Being laid off allowed her to do what she truly loves.
“It was the right time to give it a try,” Hood said. “It just fell into place.”
She still can’t believe how much her business has grown.
“I didn’t expect it to take off,” Hood said. “I didn’t expect any of this at all.”
For more information find Blooms, Boards & More on either Facebook or Instagram.
