A new kind of food truck on the block: Kaas and Cure
Anyone who is an entrepreneur knows HOW HARD it is to come up with a new idea that is truly new, and be first to market. Boy, did Dani Landi do just that. A charcuterie board food truck seems like it should’ve existed a long time ago, especially in VA, but I’m so excited that she has fixed the void we never realized existed with her new venture, the Kaas and Cure Board Co. cheese and charcuterie trailer!
I had the chance to meet Dani in person at Afton Mountain Vineyards this past weekend, and we became fast friends. Not only are we both marketing geeks, but we also really bonded over our entrepreneurial dreams. I particularly loved Dani’s story about just going for it during the pandemic year, and bootstrapping the business of her dreams alongside her husband Dan. Her words are still echoing in my ear “there’s no time like now, just go for it.” I just find their bravery and go-getter attitude extremely inspirational, and I know y’all will too!
She brought a sample of the individual boards she’ll be selling in her food trailer, which is pictured below. HOW ADORABLE ARE THEY?? They taste as good as it looks! The boards have crackers, fruits, honey (sometimes jam) and three different cheeses:
Cypress Grove Cheese, which is an aged goat cheese that is super creamy and delicious
Sweet Grass Dairy Green Hill, which is kind of brie-esque, it’s very creamy and buttery and it goes great with honey
Tillamook 2011 Extra Sharp White Cheddar, which is divine. I’m a huge white cheddar fan, and this was spectacular
Everything on the board went super well together, and complemented each other. At first I wasn’t sure about the honey because I never think of it, but I ended up drizzling it all over everything, and it was such a great add on! I had a glass of chardonnay with it, but honestly the boards would pair well with a red or white. All the different elements on the board allow you to easily mix and match your wine selections.
Their first live event is on July 22nd, 2021 at Castle Hill Cidery from 4-8pm. Visit their website or follow Kaas and Cure on Instagram to see where they’ll be parked next!
Check out my Q&A with Dani below and see how she started her business from the ground up! So excited for her launch!!
How did the idea for Kaas and Cure get started?
Two years ago my husband, Dan, booked the Cville Hop on Tour for my birthday party. I made two charcuterie boards for all of us to enjoy at our stop at Blenheim Vineyards. Our sommelier asked who made the cheese boards. I told her that I did. She said they were beautiful and asked if I could make one for her and her friends. I had never thought about making a business out of it until then!
What was the biggest challenge in getting started?
Finding a trailer to make into my commercial kitchen! It took us six months last year (2020) to find a trailer with a concession window in the size we were looking for. At one point we considered driving to Texas for a custom build. We did finally find one in Richmond, but it was completely empty so we had to build it all ourselves. Dan and I did a ton of research (including hours of watching YouTube) on how to build a food truck. It took about six months to complete the construction and setup!
What kind of business training or knowledge of cheese boards, food trucks, and wine pairing did you guys have at the start of your journey?
Not much at all! I come from a background in marketing for the Food Industry. Previously, I worked on email marketing campaigns for the Food Network and for Rachel Ray’s Cookware. I was also the Social Media Manager at The Culinary Institute of America for their restaurants, bakeries, and enthusiast cooking classes.
While working at the Culinary Institute, I worked with the marketing team for “Chef” the movie to promote the film. The movie is about a chef who quits his job at a popular Los Angeles restaurant and starts a food truck with his son. That is the only background I had about operating a food truck, ha! It’s a great movie, and I highly recommend it!
The Kaas & Cure trailer!
“I really enjoy cheese and wine, and I’ve had to pinch myself a few times to believe that I am actually making charcuterie boards now for a living.” - Dani
What has been the most exciting thing you’ve learned along the way as you prepare to open?
How kind and supportive people you have never met in person can be! My husband and I moved to Virginia about eight years ago, and we didn’t know anyone here. I have made more friends since starting my business than I did since we moved here! Everyone has been so excited for us and I am so thankful for the support.
What kind of offerings will your charcuterie truck have?
You name it, I can do it! From individual charcuterie boards and picnic boxes to large grazing tables for special events. When our trailer is parked on site at wineries, breweries and cideries, we will offer an individual, two person and a four-person picnic boxes. Sizes larger than that will be available by pre-order only. I am able to do vegetarian, gluten free and vegan boards and picnic boxes. However, we are not a gluten free facility. Vegan options are available by pre-order.
What will make your business different from any others?
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe we’re the first and only cheese & charcuterie trailer in Virginia!
What’s unique about the wine industry in Virginia?
The approachableness of the wineries and the wines themselves. Most wineries here are family friendly which I love. Our three year old loves to run around at wineries with his friends.
What is your advice for someone wanting to start a business in the food and wine industry?
Ask questions! It’s okay to admit you don’t know something or you are learning. I didn't know anything about starting a business, let alone a food trailer!
Where do you hope Kaas & Cure is at the end of the year? What are some things you have in store post-launch?
I’m hoping to host a holiday cheese & charcuterie board workshop! I love Christmastime, and I love teaching people how to make their own boards at home.