Karreno Alexanyan shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Karreno, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
When I first started Charqute, I didn’t know what my clients would be like. I just wanted to create food that looked as beautiful as it tasted. What’s surprised me most is how they’ve embraced the artistry of it all. People will often pause before eating and say, “It’s too pretty to touch.” With grazing tables, especially, no one wants to be the first to “ruin” the design. That reverence has been both surprising and deeply humbling.
Another beautiful surprise has been how invested people become, even if they’ve only discovered me online. Between my TikTok and Instagram, I’ve shared over 1,000 reels — everything from entertaining to educational content. To have strangers approach me and say they’ve learned from me, or to see clients post their own boards after taking one of my classes, is incredibly rewarding. It shows me that Charqute isn’t just about the boards I make — it’s about inspiring people to gather, to create, and to connect.
And then there’s the range of occasions: from intimate birthdays to weddings, from corporate openings to a Barbie-themed grazing table at Warner Bros. I’ve learned my customers trust me to help make their most meaningful moments memorable. That kind of trust still surprises me, and it’s the greatest honor.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Karreno Alexanyan, and I am the founder of Charqute, a Los Angeles based luxury charcuterie and grazing company. What started as a passion for food and design has grown into a brand that blends artistry, hospitality, and flavor in unexpected ways. At Charqute, every board and grazing table is created to be as visually stunning as it is delicious, an edible work of art meant to spark conversation, connection, and joy.
What makes Charqute unique is that it is not only about presentation. I love teaching people through my classes, workshops, and social media content, showing them how to pair flavors, try surprising combinations, and create their own boards. Over time, this has not only built a clientele but also fostered a community where clients become friends and students become creators in their own right.
From intimate celebrations to large-scale events, including a Barbie-themed grazing table at Warner Bros., I have been fortunate to help people elevate their most meaningful moments. Right now, I am focused on expanding Charqute’s offerings to reach even more people, whether through live events, brand collaborations, or digital content that continues to inspire.
At its heart, Charqute is about more than food; it is about creating beauty and connection through shared experiences.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
For me, it has been perfectionism. In the beginning, I believed that if something wasn’t flawless, I had failed. Over time, I’ve learned that mistakes aren’t just setbacks, they’re often the doorway to unexpected creativity. Some of my best solutions and most beautiful creations came from moments when something went “wrong” and I had to think differently.
I’ve also let go of the need to please everyone at the expense of myself. I still hold myself to a high standard, but I no longer overextend to the point of burnout. That shift has allowed me to work with more balance, fairness, and integrity.
On a personal level, I’ve stopped trying to impress people just to be accepted. The right people, both in life and in business, show up when you are true to yourself. And even in my content, I no longer overthink every post — I trust my instincts and put it out there.
At the heart of it, what I’ve released is doubt. What I’ve embraced is trust in myself, in my gut, and in the process.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
There have been many moments when I wanted to give up on Charqute. The business was born during Covid, and I had to learn quickly how to adapt as the world kept changing. At one point, people were spending freely, and then almost overnight, the industry shifted again when productions shut down during the Hollywood strikes. Since production companies made up more than 30 percent of my orders, everything came to a halt. Then came the LA fires, and once again I had to adjust. It has felt like an emotional roller coaster that never quite stops.
But what I’ve learned is that every time I thought it might be time to walk away, something unexpected happened — a new relationship, a financial door opening, a new opportunity. It was as if the universe kept reminding me that I was still on the right path.
Success can make you feel confident and celebrated, but suffering has taught me something deeper: patience. It has taught me to focus on what really matters and to trust my gut, even when things feel uncertain. The rest, I’ve learned, always finds a way of working itself out.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I think it’s fairly authentic, but with some curation. I’ve had people tell me in person that I’m actually much nicer than they expected from my online persona. My friends joke that I even have two voices: my regular voice and my “Instagram voice.”
The truth is, I’m a very private person. Online, I try to share the best version of myself — the person I strive to be. I don’t really focus on sad or heavy topics because I want my content to bring value, positivity, and inspiration. Most people are already dealing with challenges in their own lives, so I try to create moments of joy and lightness that they can enjoy and learn from.
That being said, there are layers to me that aren’t always visible online. The private Karreno is more introspective, deeply connected to his close circle, and protective of those relationships. The public Karreno is more extroverted — he loves connecting, teaching, and making people feel like friends. Both versions are real, but they show up differently depending on the space.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember the small things. Not the grand moments, but the ways I was able to make someone’s day a little brighter, even if they didn’t realize it at the time. I want my friends and family to remember the positivity I carried into every situation, and how I could always find something hopeful, even in the hardest moments.
For those who may not have known me personally, I hope they remember the joy I was able to bring them — whether through a conversation, a shared experience, or even a video that made them smile.
More than anything, I want my story to be one of authenticity and resilience. That no matter what life brought my way, I stayed true to myself, and I never stopped trying to make people feel seen, cared for, and inspired.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.charqute.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charqute
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/charqute
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charquteofficial/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/charqute-burbank-2
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@charqute
- Other: Https://www.tiktok.com/@charquteofficial
Image Credits
Grazing Table Photo by Viken Balabanian
