Local charcuterie brand lands catering gig at Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby Week

What began with an idea from Zack Flanagan's grandmother continues to take on grand stages.

In 2019, his grandma, or “Memaw” as she’s known in the family, took a look at the beautiful charcuterie board Flanagan and his partner, Sean, brought to an Easter celebration. Memaw suggested they post a photo of the colorful creation of cheese and meats on Facebook. Overnight, that post “blew up,” Flanagan recalls.

“Grandma was right,” he said.

Within weeks, that one board sprung into an online business called Board & You. Thousands of followers soon found them on social media.

In the nearly five years since, several big moments followed. Both men quit their jobs to build Board & You. A full-scale restaurant, Board & You Bistro & Wine Bar, opened in 2020 in New Albany, Indiana, and then came a next-door cheese shop. A couple of other locations opened and closed and, thanks to its delivery operation, the area’s charcuterie pioneer thrived during the pandemic. Another highlight came in 2022 when Zack and Sean got married.

The most recent step on Board & You’s climb to "Big Cheese" might be the biggest yet.

The local charcuterie brand will provide catering services at Churchill Downs, the Flanagan couple excitedly announced in late March.

“I was definitely shocked and excited,” Zack Flanagan, a native of New Albany and University of Louisville graduate, told the Courier Journal. “When you grow up in Louisville, you fully understand how much of a global event Derby week is.”

It marked a “proud moment” for the couple and their growing business.

“All of the years of hard work are definitely paying off,” he said.

The catering arrangement, which marks a unique move for Churchill Downs to include a local and small business, will soon be off the races. It kicks off with the 150th Kentucky Derby, during which Board & You products will be set up at several “prominent locations,” according to Zack Flanagan, including in the Winners Circle suites.

Board & You plans to make more than 7,000 charcuterie boxes of varying sizes for the event.

“It’s by far the largest order we’ve ever had,” he said. “This took it to the next level for sure.”

With their catering experience, Flanagan said the Derby doesn’t feel too daunting. Plus, he said more than a dozen friends and family members reached out to help with deliveries.

By the time the Derby is over, it will be about time to celebrate Board & You’s fifth anniversary.

“It’s pretty special to see what all we’ve conquered,” he said. “To be able to say we’re at the peak of our existence five years into the game is pretty awesome.”

And it won’t be the end of seeing their charcuterie masterpieces at Churchill Downs.

“This is going to go beyond these few days,” Flanagan said. “We’re looking forward to working with Churchill for many, many years to come.”

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Board & You to serve charcuterie at Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby