Today’s Tidbits Birthday Girl is Alyssa Case, founder and owner of GRAZE.
32.
How are you celebrating this year?
Well, my actual birthday is one one of our busiest days of the year at GRAZE! So my husband and I celebrated early in Austin with a stay at South Congress Hotel and a fabulous wine and tasting dinner.
What’s on your birthday wish list?
An LED Light Face Mask and jewelry… always jewelry.
Tell us why you started GRAZE.
I started GRAZE in 2019 because there weren’t any places specializing in cheese and charcuterie boards, and we were the first to offer cheese boards as a delivery service.
Largest display you’ve ever made for a client?
Our largest GRAZE table served 300 people!
Favorite surprises to include inside a GRAZE board.
Color! It’s always the seasonal and colorful garnishes for me — for example, we’re using persimmons right now.
You started GRAZE to provide people a chance to gather around a table “grazing” and creating community. Who are the dream guests at your table?
Dr. Phil (lol, how *incredible* would that be), Freddie Minahan (one of my besties) and Heather McMahan (we need someone to balance out Dr. Phil’s sage advice).
What wine or cocktail pairs best with a Graze board?
For me, it’s a Negroni or glass of red.
Number one thing we’re doing wrong when making our own cheese boards at home.
Putting sweet things — like chocolates — directly on charcuterie…. Thinking about the chocolate melting onto a piece of salami really gives me the ick.
GRAZE has grown into a brick and mortar. Best thing about having your own shop?
I absolutely love getting to meet people as they come to pick up their boards – it brings me SO much joy.
Favorite holiday garnish on a GRAZE board?
Ooh, pomegranates for sure.
In addition to GRAZE, you are a model for brands like MIRTH, Mi Golondrina and Lucchese Boots. How do the two careers complement each other?
I’m so fortunate to still have the opportunity to shoot and work with really great businesses – it is a very nice and pleasant change to put the cheese to the side and work alongside creative people. A lot of the time, I’m able to learn from the business owners, like Cristina of Mi Golondrina, or I make friends, like my MIRTH girls, Katie and Erin. It’s also a really nice change to not smell like salami 😉
How old were you when you started modeling/how did you get started?
I was “scouted” at age 19 while shopping at NorthPark mall in Dallas!
What’s on your Thanksgiving table this year?
I’m spending Thanksgiving with my husband’s family this year, and they have a family famous “crab puff” recipe, so there will be plenty of those!
Favorite charcuterie trend.
I’m not sure I have a favorite, but I do have a least favorite… I can’t stand the salami roses… there, I said it!
Top three cheeses that are crowd-pleasers.
Pure Luck June’s Joy
Menonia with jalapeno
Triple cream brie
Favorite-ever modeling shoot to date?
By far, my favorite experience was shooting a CoverGirl campaign in NYC. “Empire State of Mind” by Jay- Z and Alicia Keys had just come out and listening to the song on set felt like a pinch me moment.
Bust three myths about modeling.
It’s easy
It’s glamorous… Sometimes it can be, but I think people would be surprised to see what a set looks like!
People are rude – I have worked with some of the kindest and most creative people on sets 🙂
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, where are we most likely to find you?
Breakfast – always a green smoothie I make at home.
Lunch – Local Foods will forever be my go-to quick and healthy lunch.
Dinner – Squable, Superica and Hillstone – their martinis are 10/10.
Your daily uniform?
Jeans + sneakers… I like to look cute when customers come in the store, but have to be comfy because I’m on my feet most of the day.
Neighborhood you call home.
The Heights! I am so lucky to live just a few blocks behind my store – you could say I’m spoiled by my work commute.
Three local businesses you love supporting.
Asch Building
Houston Dairymaids
Heights Grocer
Three apps you can’t live without in your job.
Shopify
Amazon
TaskRabbit
Podcasts you’re addicted to.
I listen to a lot of podcasts – but I rarely skip a LadyGang or The Skinny Confidential episode.
Best advice you’ve ever received.
You teach people how to treat you.
First thing you do when you wake up, last thing at night.
First thing, my husband brings me coffee in bed (train them from the start, ladies) and I like to read before bed.
Best book you’ve read lately…
Educated by Tara Westover
One thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I was our high school news anchor and sometimes I still practice my news anchor voice…lol.
What is your sign and do you identify with it?
I’m on the cusp of Scorpio and Sagittarius, so I like to say I have the best qualities of both 😉
@grazehtx
Want to be the next Tidbits Birthday Girl? Tell us why at submissions-houston@gotidbits.com.