Ready To Grow

The COVID-19 crisis posed great challenges for local businesses but on the other hand has been a strong driver of creativity and innovation.

Joely Augustino and her daughter, Faith, started creating custom Charcuterie boards in December 2020 and have been positively overwhelmed with the demand.

“It’s the two of us right now and we could easily be operating on a full-time basis”, says Joely Augustino, co-owner Fig & Olive Charcuterie. “We contacted Community Futures Entre-Corp and Invest Medicine Hat to see how and where we could take Fig & Olive. We are ready to grow.”

COVID certainly has restricted families and friends from being together and the Augustino’s were determined to change that. With Italian roots and a love for elegant food, the mother and daughter duo, started testing the market offering a limited number of custom to-go boxes.

“Medicine Hat is full of foodies,” says Augustino. “I want the best product and I believe this is why we sell out so quickly because we don’t throw together common products, we seek out quality ingredients that are handpicked for our clients’ palates.”

While the Augustino’s both have full time jobs, their catering business has taken off in a big way – hitting over 1,000 social media followers in under two months. Fig & Olive Charcuterie have also partnered with local businesses Reg’s Meats, the Sweetness Bakeshop, Mad Hatter Roastery and The Olive Tap, to name a few. 

“For us it’s more than a cheese plate. It’s an artistic expression that ignites the senses,” says Augustino.
“Food brings people together. Clients started coordinating deliveries with their families so they could FaceTime and enjoy a “meal” together. This was really special and exactly why this has become more than a hobby.”

Fig & Olive Charcuterie specialize in custom to-go Charcuterie, grazing tables, and catering.

Fig and Olive Charcuterie can be found online at Facebook and Instagram.