Our
Story
The owners of Speakeasy Charcuterie have a long history of entertainment and restaurant management. Starting back when Audra Hajj was only 18, she worked to do turnarounds for General Mills in their Re Lobster concepts. She was asked to go in as secret shopper and then reveal herself when it was time to turn the location around.
After learning what it took to create a profitable smooth running restaurant she ventured out to open her own seafood restaurant in California. After the birth of her first son, she decided to do more event-based food business.
The owners of Speakeasy Charcuterie have a long history of entertainment and restaurant management. Starting back when Audra Hajj was only 18, she worked to do turnarounds for General Mills in their Re Lobster concepts. She was asked to go in as secret shopper and then reveal herself when it was time to turn the location around.
After learning what it took to create a profitable smooth running restaurant she ventured out to open her own seafood restaurant in California. After the birth of her first son, she decided to do more event-based food business.
The owners of Speakeasy Charcuterie have a long history of entertainment and restaurant management. Starting back when Audra Hajj was only 18, she worked to do turnarounds for General Mills in their Re Lobster concepts. She was asked to go in as secret shopper and then reveal herself when it was time to turn the location around.
After learning what it took to create a profitable smooth running restaurant she ventured out to open her own seafood restaurant in California. After the birth of her first son, she decided to do more event-based food business.
Her love for food and her Middle Eastern fascination from her early years’ exposure is reflected in the high-quality artistic menu offered. Mrs. Hajj says, “We created a connection in our family from the memories that were often created around food. This opportunity of helping others create these lifelong memories is my ultimate measure of success here at Speakeasy Charcuterie.”
In Lebanon and other parts of Middle East, a popular part of cuisine is messe or mezze which is an assortment of small dishes served as appetizers. This course of the meal was always one of her family’s favorites during cultural events. So it was natural that this became part of the inspiration for her to get into the Charcuterie business.
Her passion for food and hospitality seemed to have passed down to her children and especially her youngest son Ryan Hajj who decided to take the love of food to an entirely new level and pursue a career as a chef!
MEET OUR CHEF
MEET OUR CHEF
Our Chef, Ryan Hajj, is a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York. Chef Ryan had the opportunity to work in some of the most incredible restaurants including Le Bernardin in New York.
Le Bernardin holds several records in New York including “Best Restaurant Design” and an “Best Restaurateur”. It received a four-star review from New York Times only 3 months after it opened and is the only four-star restaurant that has maintained its status of excellence for more than 3 decades.
Chef Ryan had the opportunity to be a part of many categories of excellence and service within the food industry. When his mother and her husband decided to start the Speakeasy Charcuterie concept Chef Ryan was instrumental in assisting them with flavor profiles and pairings that elevated their menu.
Creating the perfect bite in the Charcuterie industry is the ultimate goal. With Chef Ryan’s help in providing recipes for things like homemade hummus, pickling, and sauces, the perfect bite is achievable within the Speakeasy Charcuterie boards being created and served to homes and at events in their communities!
Audra and her husband Jamie have owned a launch and reconstruction agency since 2006 and understand the hard work and the impact that small businesses have on their communities. That is why they only buy from high-quality local vendors from around the world. Every intentional and thought-out bite you experience with Speakeasy Charcuterie, is a collective effort from small business globally.
We believe that the love and dedication of the founders, their staff, and the quality of vendors they source their unique items from, is the key to their success and what fuels their raving reviews!
Welcome to home of authentic and delicious bite sized goodness.
Welcome to home of authentic and delicious bite sized goodness.