Today we’d like to introduce you to Deema Al-ghandour
Hi Deema, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Becoming a mom was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, but it also came with its challenges. I am also a Physician Assistant, so I’m used to caring for others, but when my child was born, I realized how easy it is to get completely absorbed in that role. While I absolutely love being a mom and a PA, I found myself wanting something that was just for me. I started thinking of different creative outlets that would allow me to build something of my own. I’ve always had a passion for food, it’s presentation, and hosting friends and family so it only seemed natural to combine those interests into a business idea. That is when the idea of starting a charcuterie and grazing table company came to my mind. My brother-in-law, Fawzi Ali, was also interested in pursuing this idea so we decided to partner up to make my dream a reality. Coming up with a name for my business was the easy part. I knew I wanted to incorporate my Palestinian roots along with something clean and catchy. That’s when I thought of one of my favorite herbs, “maramiyeh” which translates to “sage” from Arabic to English. Palestinian sage has so many health benefits in addition to its aromatic flavor. I have so many memories of huge family gatherings and offering our guests black tea with sage or “shay bil maramiyeh.” If you haven’t tried this delicacy, you’re truly missing out. Sage Grazing Co. went live in May 2024 and we have already had several amazing opportunities to showcase what we do best.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The most difficult part is trying to balance prepping for our orders and events while still working full-time and caring for my son. I can say that I have been up at very late hours of the night cutting cheese and styling meat. But right now, that’s what it’s going to take to make this business successful. Other than that, we’ve only been in business for a few months so we’re still trying to get our name out there and show people what we offer. So far, it’s gone much better than I originally thought it would. I’ve had an overwhelmingly positive amount of support from my family and community which has been very encouraging. I also could not do this without my husband, Khalid.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Sage Grazing Co., we offer artisanal boards and grazing tables. Our goal is to bring people together by transforming food into a beautiful, unique, and unforgettable immersive experience. We offer several different board sizes from small to extra large, charcuterie cups, letter/number boards, and our specialty – grazing tables. Clients can choose from preset styles which range from “The Sage Signature” to others like “The Mediterranean Mezze” or “The Sweet Treat.” Our clients also have the ability to share their visions with us to create a custom board or table of their liking. For grazing tables, we set up on site and have the ability to create flat lays or multidimensional displays. We also offer several options that can be added on to grazing tables including turkey sliders, chicken salad croissants, chicken kabobs, chicken wings, desserts, and more. We are most proud of using quality ingredients, specifically halal meats. A goal of mine was also to promote inclusivity within the food industry. As someone that does not eat pork products, I always felt like I was missing out on the charcuterie board experience because I couldn’t have more than half of what was being served on a typical board. With that being said, I want readers to know that I will happily create a custom offering that suits their dietary needs so that they can enjoy this experience through food that I had always longed for. We are more than willing to think outside of the box when it comes to food offerings, displays, decor and more.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I work as a Physician Assistant full time and specialize in cardiology. When I’m not seeing patients or making charcuterie, I like to ride the peloton or practice Palestinian cross stitch (tatreez). I also consider myself fairly introverted, so starting a business of this concept was surprising to many (and myself).
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sagegrazing.co/ or @sagegrazing.co
