Kristen Cronyn is the founder of Meet & Eat Charcuterie, a fast-growing Buffalo-based food business that blends catering, classes, wholesale, and a brick-and-mortar wine bar in Larkinville. Known for her elaborate grazing tables and signature charcuterie boards, Kristen turned a pandemic breakfast experiment for her kids into a six-figure venture beloved across Western New York.

 

A former corporate communications professional, she brought her business skills with her—using them to build a brand rooted in creativity, connection, and community. Today, Meet & Eat Charcuterie is home to the Western New York Cheese Academy, where experts and enthusiasts come together for hands-on classes, tastings, and industry training.

 

Inspired by a dream of carving the Buffalo skyline out of cheese (and then actually doing it), Kristen has become one of the region’s most recognizable “food entrepreneurs.” With a focus on experiential dining, she continues to reimagine what meat, cheese, and wine can mean for Buffalo’s culinary culture—inviting people to gather, share, and, quite literally, meet and eat.