Meet Lindsey Carattini | Creator of Nibbles and Sips & Full-time Mama

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

Hi Lindsey, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
I was a Wildland fire fighter for the BLM for 7 years before I decided to be a stay at home mom. It was a hard decision. I had worked so hard to get to where I was and I know once I left it wasn’t going to be the same. But then I also looked at my daughter. She needed me more than work. There were some health issues arising and I had to step up to the job I chose to be, a mom. That came before anything else. She needed my full attention. After we had our second daughter I was still happy staying at home. I loved the feeling of helping them, teaching them to be good human beings. I got to see all of their firsts. their first steps, loose tooth, be there to kiss their first booboo. As they got older and both transitioned into school I felt lost. My mom duties were transitioning. They needed me in different ways now. They were helping me cook and bake and helping with the chores. We would sit and have funny conversations about their day. I feel like me taking the big leap to stay home with them built a stronger relationship. I feel like me being able to teach them that family comes first is the biggest lesson they can learn. I could have stayed working and building my career. But mom duties come before work. And I still believe this. When i started this business i said from the beginning that family is priority. Its not about the money. I will take as many clients as i can but not overload myself. And i love having my girls by my side helping me, They love that i started this business. They love all the different foods, the clients and they get excited when i get orders! It makes me feel so blessed to be their mom. They are the best cheerleaders.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Food, that is what excites me. I love to cook. I love to experiment with different flavors and textures. When I started making charcuterie boards i was in heaven. You can put a spicy apricot jam on about anything and the taste buds explode with different flavors every time. The thought that I can make a board and present so many different flavor combinations really made me excited. There is something on that board to please everyone. Not everyone likes goat cheese. But have they tried a creamy goat cheese in herbs and olive oil. They flavors are so smooth and savory compared to plain goat cheese. When i can surprise someone with a flavor they thought they didnt like but found they loved, that is why i do what I do. To broaden their pallets and introduce wonderful new flavors.

When ever family or friends come into town we always show them the wonderful things this valley has to offer. We have some wonderful wineries, distilleries, cider houses and breweries. And the views! We have so many beautiful mountain views. I wanted to create something that would explore the taste buds and make you want to come back again and again while experiencing this beautiful valley. The joke is that Charcuterie boards are just grown up luchables. And I couldn’t agree more. As a child we didn’t get lunchables except for a special occasion, like a picnic. So I think its fitting. I make these boards for special occasions, girls nights, wine tastings, anniversaries, birthdays. I get to create a special work of art for people to sit around and enjoy.

There are so many local items that my husband and i enjoy, we wanted to make sure everyone else could enjoy them as well. So i came up with the Local Nibbles. This is a great way to showcase all the wonderful items Colorado has to offer and support all the wonderful small business. I am all about sharing the love when it comes to business. I’m not out to kill the competition. We are a small town, and a little help goes a long way. The friendships I’ve made mean so much. I truly believe that working together as a community and sharing the love is the best part of this business. Getting to explore the different products and see where and how they are made is so much fun. Then when customers ask about the items on their boards I explain to them exactly what it is and how it was made. We have such fun unique flavors, its great that i can share them with everyone and hopefully bring business to someone else in the long run.

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.
Day 1: Make a big breakfast from the local Items i got at the Palisade farmers market.
Pack a lunch (or Charcuterie board) and go for a hike in the Monument up Liberty Cap. Then sit and enjoy the views while we eat lunch.
Finish the day at the Goat and Clover, our favorite Irish Pub.

Day 2:
Pick up Chicken and Waffles and the Buttered Biscuit Food Truck
Rent paddle boards and go down the river.
Dinner would be a little BBQ in the back yard with local beer from the Ramblebine

Day 3:
Start with BernaB’s Breakfast
Head up to the Mesa to go Fishing and Hiking
Stop at Mesa Lakes Lodge for a drink and dinner on our way home.

Day 4:
Its wine tour day! Pack some water and get ready for a full day with JR’s Carriage. A horse drawn carriage ride through wine country. Also stopping at the local distillery, brewery’s and Cider houses. With different food trucks along the way!

Day 5:
Breakfast at Gorilla Burrito, Its my favorite food truck. they have the best house smoked bacon and green chili in town!
Then I would take them to my favorite fruit stands around Palisade
Lunch would be at the Palisade Café
Then we would walk around downtown palisade and enjoy the local shops.
In the evening we would attend the Food Truck Friday, enjoying local music and food, while sipping on wine at the local winery.

Day 6:
Throw some axes at Axeology
Get some drinks and Monumental Beer Works while enjoying another local food truck.

Day 7:
Head to Palisade to but local at the Farmers Market!
Explore downtown, Shop, drink and eat local then enjoy a nice dinner at the Winery downtown. Best streaks in town!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shout out goes to my family and friends. They all have been the biggest support group. They were the ones who suggested I start my own business. My mom had us cooking and baking at a young age. So I believe that she really started this love for food when I was young. Then as I got older i really started experimenting and trying new things. We love having people over so Charcuterie boards were always a go to. They were fun to make and gave the guests lots of options. As the boards grew my family and friends kept suggesting that I should sell them. I thought, “sure, maybe as a hobby!” but I never knew who fast it would blow up and become such a thriving business. With out their love and support I probably wouldn’t have ever started.

Instagram: NIbbles_and_sips_

Facebook: Nibbles and Sips