Meet Cathy Herrera of Platters2Gather

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathy Herrera

Hi Cathy, 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?
Hi, my name is Cathy Herrera. I was born in Carson, California, and raised in the South Bay by my grandmother, Ofelia Campos. I’m of Costa Rican and Cuban heritage and am a 47-year-old mom to two amazing sons, Johnny and Christian—my proudest accomplishment and my saving grace. I spent my childhood in the City of Hawthorne and moved to Redondo Beach after high school, where I raised my sons from Pre-K through high school.

I started my entrepreneurial journey during the COVID shutdown. It was a scary time, but I’m grateful for it. Working from home during the lockdown gave me time to explore my creative side. The uncertainty of the future and the state of the world had a huge impact on me. I looked inward and began to reflect on my life. That fear motivated me and lit a fire within me to start taking risks because I realized that if I didn’t do it then, tomorrow might be too late.

Growing up, I had always dreamed of owning my own business. But as a single mom of two at 20 and the sole provider for my family, there was little room for risk. Life was tough back from childhood. My grandmother had been my guardian, as our parents had left when we were young, and I carried that trauma with me into adulthood. Thankfully, I now have a strong relationship with my dad, Pete. I was, in many ways, a kid raising kids. Our lives were full of challenges—we faced homelessness and relied on government assistance at times, but my grandmother always found a way. She taught me resilience, which I hold onto every day. I focused on creating a stable life for my sons, working in the construction industry for steady income and benefits. I saw the shutdown as the universe saying, “Go, this is the sign.” With my sons now in their mid-20s, I could work from home, get paid, and use my free time to create. It was finally time to go for it.

I’ve always had a passion for event planning and hosting gatherings. I love making people feel special, seen, and appreciated, allowing them to socialize and enjoy their time without being stuck in the kitchen. As a mom, I spent a lot of time cooking and preparing holiday meals, but I eventually realized I was missing out on connecting and sharing the experience with my family and guests.

I fell in love with charcuterie-style catering; it creates a warm, inclusive ambiance that invites guests to gather, relax, and indulge at their own pace. Unlike formal, plated meals, grazing tables feel casual yet sophisticated, encouraging mingling and interaction. There’s a communal, inviting vibe that fosters connection among guests, making the event feel truly communal.

The abundance and artistry of a charcuterie board or graze table instantly give clients a sense of luxury and indulgence. The vibrant colors, textures, and attention to detail communicate that this isn’t just a snack—it’s an elevated experience. Clients feel as though they’re being treated to something special, a standout moment beyond ordinary catering.

In 2020, charcuterie boards were just beginning to gain popularity. I followed a few artists on Instagram and was mesmerized by the beauty of the boards, which gave a sense of luxury, creativity, and endless possibilities. One day, while scrolling, I came across a post about the book That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life by Marissa Mullen. It’s a simple, step-by-step guide for crafting beautiful cheese and charcuterie boards using a “Cheese by Numbers” method, breaking down the ingredients into cheese, meat, produce, crunch, dip, and garnish. I bought the book and began practicing.

My first paid board was for my Safety Manager at one of our construction sites. I had been sharing photos of the boards I was making, and he showed them to his wife, who loved them. The next week, he asked if I could make one for their upcoming party. They were thrilled with how it turned out and encouraged me to start selling them and begin a business. I was flattered but unsure if people would pay for them. I didn’t have any business or culinary background—I was in construction! However, listening to podcasts and hearing stories of others’ journeys gave me the courage to move forward. Soon after, I purchased a course called Board to Business Blueprint from The Graze Academy, a local OC charcuterie stylist and coach named Sofia Dedola.

The course covered invoicing, pricing, mindset, social media, working with influencers, creating a logo, identifying ideal clients, and calculating food quantities to avoid overspending. Next, I got a business license, permits, and a food handler’s license. I chose the name “Platters 2 Gather” because it represents my mission: encouraging people to gather, chat, and create memorable moments together.

As the holidays approached, orders started coming in. Growth was still fairly slow, but I was happy making boards. That year, I landed my first big corporate holiday order for December: over 900 charcuterie cups for three office buildings. I was thrilled but nervous about how to handle such a large order. I rented a commercial kitchen at Feel Good Salsa Kitchen in Long Beach, where the owner kindly guided me through the steps to operate there.

I prepped for the order, learning valuable lessons in trial and error, time management, and people management along the way. A friend helped me, and we spent countless hours in the kitchen, often starting as early as 2-3 a.m., even in pouring rain. But it was well worth it. From that year on, my business has continued to grow, and we are now in our fourth year working with this client. Last year, we made over 1,100 cups.

Later that year, I took another course on creating and selling graze tables, excited by the creative freedom and artistry it offered. The graze table is visually striking, a feast for the eyes as much as the palate. This setup invites guests to explore, choose their favorites, and perhaps try something new.

Today, Platters2Gather offers meat, vegan, and vegetarian boards, charcuterie cups, and graze tables. We also host private and public charcuterie workshops to teach others how to create their own boards. These workshops are interactive, providing a bonding experience as well as the skills to build your own board.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh no! The road has not been smooth in life or business; there have been obstacles, doubts, fear, and imposter syndrome. But along with those came courage, a willingness to take risks, growing confidence, and a wealth of knowledge gained from mistakes. Some of the biggest hurdles have included navigating business registration, food safety regulations, obtaining the necessary permits, and managing safe food storage and transport—all complex tasks, especially for someone new to the food industry.

Sourcing Quality Ingredients has also been a challenge. Establishing reliable supplier relationships, especially for specialty items, can be both difficult and expensive. Sourcing unique, artisanal ingredients like imported cheeses or seasonal fruits requires careful planning, and during COVID, long delivery times and back-ordered supplies created even more logistical hurdles.

Accounting was another essential area. I needed to set up a system for tracking income, expenses, taxes, and profitability, all critical to understanding and growing my business.

Managing Perishability and Waste is also crucial for profitability. Charcuterie ingredients are perishable, and managing inventory to minimize waste is essential. Fresh fruits, meats, and cheeses have short shelf lives, and poor planning can lead to significant waste. Learning the right amount to buy and finding ways to repurpose excess ingredients has required time and experience.

Building a Brand, Client Base, and Social Media Presence is an ongoing challenge. Establishing a brand identity, gaining client trust, and building a steady client base takes time and consistent effort. Without an established track record, a new business must rely on visually appealing marketing, word-of-mouth, and positive reviews to attract clients.

Balancing Time and Labor has been equally challenging. Preparing charcuterie boards can be time-intensive, especially with intricate designs and careful placement. For a solo business owner or a small team, balancing production with other business tasks—such as marketing, customer service, and accounting—can be overwhelming. Each board requires attention to detail, and scaling production without an efficient workflow is a constant challenge.

The most significant and important challenge I faced was accepting that I am enough—that I deserve to be in this space and in that room. Understanding that my life struggles do not determine my success was key. Believing in myself was a turning point. If sharing my story can inspire even one young mom or anyone out there, then I’ve fulfilled my purpose.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
What We Do
We specialize in creating artfully designed, custom charcuterie boards and grazing tables tailored to suit any event, from intimate gatherings to large celebrations. Our offerings include a beautiful variety of cured meats, artisanal cheeses, fresh and dried fruits, gourmet spreads, nuts, sweets, and freshly baked breads, all curated to appeal to the eye and palate alike.

What We’re Known For
Our brand is known for transforming simple ingredients into an elevated experience. We focus on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and emphasize the importance of seasonal produce. Every board or grazing table we create is a one-of-a-kind work of art, arranged thoughtfully to ensure every bite is a unique experience.

What Sets Us Apart
Our attention to detail and commitment to customization is what truly sets us apart. We take the time to understand each client’s vision and preferences, tailoring everything from ingredient selection to presentation style. Whether it’s a classic rustic spread or a modern, minimalist display, we ensure each table reflects the personality of the event or the host.

Additionally, we offer various themed boards and seasonal menus to keep things fresh and exciting. Our team is passionate about food presentation and goes beyond just arranging food; we curate a full visual experience, adding decorative elements like florals, greenery, and custom tableware as desired.

What We’re Most Proud Of
We’re proud of the relationships we’ve built within our community, with local vendors and suppliers who help us source the finest ingredients. Our commitment to sustainability also plays a key role in our business model, using eco-friendly materials and minimizing waste wherever possible. This approach allows us to stay true to our values and offer products that our customers can feel good about.

Key Offerings & Services
In addition to our charcuterie boards and grazing tables, we offer delivery and setup services, ensuring every detail is perfect. For those looking to bring the art of charcuterie into their homes or offices, we also offer workshops where we teach the basics of board assembly, cheese and wine pairing techniques, and presentation tips.

Brand Message
Our brand is all about creating memorable experiences through the art of charcuterie. We believe food should be enjoyed with all senses, and our goal is to make every event extraordinary by curating delicious, visually stunning displays. We aim to be more than just a catering service; we want to be a part of your cherished moments, bringing people together over shared love for good food and great company.

We’d love for your readers to know that we are here to make any occasion special and uniquely memorable.

What does success mean to you?
Success is deeply personal and varies based on individual goals, values, and perspectives. For me, it’s best defined as a sense of fulfillment, where you’re aligned with what matters most to you, whether that’s reaching personal milestones, achieving financial independence, creating impact, or growing in ways that bring genuine happiness and satisfaction.

Ultimately, success is a journey rather than a destination; it’s about being on a path that feels right for you, where you’re growing and contributing to the world in a way that brings you happiness.

Contact Info:

• Website: in progress
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/platters2gather
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/platters2gather-redondo-beach