Rising Stars: Meet Andrea Johnston of metro Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Johnston.

Hi Andrea, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My husband, Derek, and I met and started dating at the end of 2018. We were inseparable from the start! After a few weeks together, he took me to a little Italian restaurant in Midtown where we shared an amazing charcuterie board. We bonded over the creamy Taleggio, the salty prosciutto, and the chewy bread. I hogged all the tomato jam while turning my nose up at the olives that he adored! There was something so romantic about dining on a meal from a shared plate.

That initial joy turned to frustration when we tried to recreate that experience at another restaurant. Their board was dry and boring, lacking any sort of imagination, which left us immensely disappointed. Shortly after, the pandemic closed down most of the restaurants, so we started cooking more at home. I tried my hand at making our own charcuterie board, and it was so much fun! I posted pictures of my creations on social media and worked to improve each one. I played around with different cheeses and meats, adding unique crackers or nuts, and NEVER including olives!

In June of 2020, we went down to Mississippi, where Derek’s family lives, to celebrate his mom’s birthday. She had seen my pictures and requested a charcuterie board as her gift! We sourced all the best cheeses and meats that the Gulf Coast could provide. We found a gorgeous wood board to build it on. While shopping for some cheese knives at a local antique store, the owner told me she heard of a company that made and delivered charcuterie boards! That simple statement sparked a lightbulb moment for me that changed the trajectory of both our lives and our careers.

I was working as a real estate agent, and Derek was (and still is) a paramedic whose company taught CPR classes. Both of our jobs were greatly affected by the lockdown. The benefit for me was that I had lots of time on my hands. I dove headfirst into this new business idea. After lots of research, I realized there was no such service in the Atlanta area and very little across the country. We were going to start something so niche that we’d have to figure it all out on our own. Which is just the way I like it!

In a large metropolitan area, and right in the middle of the 2020 pandemic, we launched The Gathering Board Co., a charcuterie board catering company encouraging people to “gather together” at a time when most people were told to stay away! We weren’t catering 200-person events at this time, but we realized there was a demand for curated food experiences for couples, families, and small groups.

Derek’s CPR classes became our testing ground. When he had a class scheduled for dentists and surgeons, I would come along with some snacks. They were ecstatic with the taste and presentation, asking for business cards or a website link that we didn’t even have yet! Using their helpful feedback, we launched our website in August of 2020 and eagerly waited for our first paying customer.

Unfortunately, before that first order came in, I was involved in a softball injury that fractured my lower jaw. I required surgery and a few weeks of rest to recover. During this time, I sadly couldn’t make any boards. To keep myself occupied, I started Season 1 of Hell’s Kitchen and was hooked! It didn’t make much sense for me to be watching a cooking show when I could only drink my meals, but it was fascinating to watch how a commercial kitchen worked. I was impressed with Gordon Ramsay’s approach—not the insults or food throwing—but his insane attention to detail and pride in serving his guests an impeccable meal. Watching that series cemented in me the way that I wanted to run our business: with perfection and care, creating a memorable experience like the first charcuterie board that Derek and I shared, not the second disappointing one.

Once I was able to make boards again, my best friend Janine became our first paying customer! She has always been my champion, and I love her for that. Then one day, when I was in the grocery store, my phone made a weird notification sound. It was an order placed on our website from someone I didn’t even know! I might have done a little happy dance right there in the produce section…

Six months after we launched our business, we were signing a lease on our very own brick-and-mortar location, the first of its kind in Georgia. Derek supported us by working on COVID contract jobs in Atlanta, Arizona, and New York City while I stayed back and supervised the renovation of our space when I wasn’t fulfilling orders. It was exhausting, terrifying, and exhilarating.

Fast forward to 2025, and we will be celebrating five years in business! We have expanded our menu to include six different sizes of charcuterie boards, grazing tables, wine and cheese pairings, board-making classes, sandwiches and dips, fruit and vegetable boards, a variety of desserts, and the best house-made focaccia you’ve ever had…

Last year, we also obtained our liquor license and can now sell beer, wine, and cocktails at our storefront and catered events. One of our most memorable food experiences is called Pasta Baby, where we serve fresh pasta out of an 80-lb wheel of Parmigiana Reggiano. It is an exceptional meal you have to try at least once in your lifetime.

This has been such a phenomenal journey for us, with all the normal highs and lows of owning a business. Throughout it all, we have always had the most amazing customers, some of whom have become great friends. We have served new moms, birthday girls, the governor of Georgia, Fortune 500 companies, a U.S. Senator, billionaires, school teachers, mayors, and firefighters. We ensure everyone receives the same time and attention to make their board or event spectacular, no matter the size. Each person has been such an essential means of support for our small business and has made us who we are today.

When someone asks me why we do this, I always think back to a lady named Katie who sent me a message about the boards she received. Here is what she said:

“…I came in yesterday with my little girls and picked up two charcuterie boards from you guys for my sister and her family, since her father-in-law passed away yesterday morning. I just wanted to let y’all know what a hit it was and that my brother-in-law told me it was the first thing that his mom had eaten in three days, and she ate a ton of it! That really made her boys feel better that she was eating and taking care of herself, and everyone got to come together around it and enjoy it while spending time together.”

That’s why we do this—helping you share those little moments, whether in the midst of grief, a joyful celebration, or a life-altering date with your favorite person.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This journey has definitely not been a smooth road. I know we’re doing exactly what Derek and I were meant to do, but the process has been a challenge from the start.

Like most small businesses, finding the right team has been tough. We’ve spent way too many nights sleeping on the restaurant floor because there was just so much to get done, and the temporary help we hired didn’t meet our standards. We finally broke down and bought a cot for the back room, but even that is not ideal.

Our team now is incredible—they’re the best part of it all. But there were plenty of times when it was just the two of us, hustling through orders. We couldn’t cut corners or give less than 100% to our customers, no matter what. These boards and grazing tables are to help celebrate a bride and groom at their wedding, new moms for their baby shower, or even celebrations of life for a loved one. They deserve our best, and we have to deliver that every time, no matter how little sleep we’ve had.

On a more personal note, another big struggle for me has been keeping up with friendships. We’ve put everything into the business, and it’s hard when some friends who aren’t business owners don’t fully get the sacrifices involved. I hate turning down dinner invites because a last-minute bridal shower came in, or saying no to a girls’ trip when we’ve got a 7 a.m. corporate brunch for 100 on a Saturday. It’s a tough balance, and I miss those connections. I’m hopeful that once we push through this growth phase, I’ll have more room to nurture those relationships again.

All in all, the struggles have made us stronger, but I wouldn’t mind a few straight stretches now and then.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a boutique catering company specializing in charcuterie boards and grazing tables that let you “Experience a Taste of Art.” It’s true what they say: you eat with your eyes first. We focus on creating food experiences that impress even the most discerning palates, using the freshest ingredients available. All our dips and jams are made from scratch, and our house-made focaccia has been called “the best bread I’ve ever had” more times than we can count!

Additionally, we have introduced a new product called Pasta Baby, a cheese wheel pasta experience. We take fresh pasta and serve it out of an 80 pound wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano, Cacio e Pepe style. It is dramatic, and cheesy, and absolutely delicious!

Throughout the metro Atlanta area, we’re recognized for our spectacular displays, where the artistry of food presentation meets exceptional taste. It’s not just visually striking—it’s crafted to be enjoyed and savored. Some of our offerings include private classes and team building events, Pearl Spoon Caviar Cart, a Raclette Station, The Gourmet Buzz Honeycomb Display, the aforementioned Pasta Baby, and much more.

What I’m most proud of, however, is our involvement with the Rally Foundation and Ferrari’s Ride to Remember, two nonprofits dedicated to funding childhood cancer research. Through donated custom catering packages for their live auction events, we’ve raised over $30,000 to date—funds that directly support children and families battling these terrible diseases. Contributing to such meaningful work, where our creations can make a tangible difference, is the highlight of our journey so far.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
First and foremost, Gordon Ramsay has been a huge influence—I’ve modeled so much of our business after his approach. His relentless attention to detail and sky-high standards have shaped how we operate, and they’ve made me comfortable holding ourselves to that level, even when it’s tough.

I love reading, though I rarely have the time so I like to listen to my books on Audible during my daily commute. “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss was a game-changer for sharpening my communication and negotiation skills—it’s practical advice that comes in handy with vendors and clients alike.

I was very inspired listening to “Unreasonable Hospitality” by Will Guidara; it really drove home how to make every customer feel like they’re our absolute priority, no matter how busy we get. He created experiences for his guests that were over the top, “unreasonable,” and showed the reader how that turned his restaurant into the number one restaurant in the world, all because of impeccable customer service which we strive for every day.

And finally for the nuts-and-bolts side of running things, “Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz has been invaluable—it simplifies financial management in a way that actually sticks, making the whole process less overwhelming and more intentional.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.TheGatheringBoard.Co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegatheringboard.co?igsh=MXc0YTd0dG9vdHZzeg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BMfTnKNsa/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits
Kathryn McCrary