Meet Jamie Bailey | Cheese & Charcuterie Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamie Bailey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jamie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
There was actually no thought process behind it. It was one of those businesses that your passion just turned into a business. When I was a child I had a pretty rough upbringing and went a whole year with out electricity or access to a phone. We were very poor and often did not have food to eat. I was the oldest sibling and was home alone caring for my younger sister. I wanted to create a way for her to feel special regardless of our circumstances. I used to cut the crust off the only thing we usually had, bread and roll them into balls and serve them on a cookie sheet. I would serve them to her like she was in a fine dining establishment getting hors d’oeuvres delivered to her table. It has always been my dream and desire to create a safe place for people to come together and break bread. I want everyone to feel special and I want to help people to be everyones favorite host. There is something special about coming together and eating together. I used to host cheese night once a month with my family and one day I posted pictures on my Facebook and people suddenly started asking for orders. It has been such a blessing because it truly brings me so much joy when I craft each board, teach a class or create a graze table for someones special occasion.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have worn many hats. From the age of 15 I often had 3 jobs at a time to help contribute to my family surviving. I have worked at a car wash, restaurants, insurance sales, private investigators, real estate, dental assistant, ortho assistant, optometrist assistant, executive assistant, permit coordinator, event coordinator, retail phone sales, retail store manager, bar tender, catering coordinator, cart girl. You name it, I have probably done it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Monday we would do a lunch at 415 in Fort Collins, Tuesday we would do dinner at DC Oakes in Fort Collins where kids eat free on Tuesdays, Wednesday would be a day trip to downtown Denver do some shopping, pop in some galleries and eat some delicious food. Thursday we would take a day trip to Estes Park to see the mountains and hopefully catch the fall colors. Go to the BMX track and park at Estes and eat at the Post for some tasty chicken. Friday we would go to Windsors local restaurant the Hearth and take a walk around the Windsor lake. Saturday we would go to old town Fort Collins eat breakfast at Snooze and then check out the kitchen store (The Cupboard) and the kids store (Clothes Pony)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think where I am today has everything to do with my past experiences. If I didn’t go through the things I did I may not appreciate little things the way I do now. Even though I went through dark times I always had love and support from friends and my church. God is the only reason I have joy and passion to express this passion of mine. Its more than making a pretty cheese board its about bringing people together.

Website: www.flockandchow.com

Instagram: @flockandchow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlockandChow/