We recently connected with Nicole Cicia and have shared our conversation below.
Nicole, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for The Perfect Bite really came from my roots and what I grew up around. Coming from a big Italian New York family, food was always at the center of everything, especially antipasti and appetizer-style dishes that brought everyone together. My mom has worked in the food industry since she was sixteen, and she passed down that same passion for cooking and sharing meals with people.
While she loved creating in the kitchen, I was always drawn to the other side of it. I loved planning parties, curating the vibe, and creating that perfect atmosphere where everything felt warm, beautiful, and connected. After tossing around so many ideas from food trucks to restaurants, we realized what we really wanted was something that combined both of our strengths. That’s how The Perfect Bite was born: an at-home catering and charcuterie board business focused on making gatherings effortless and memorable.
We noticed that so many people love entertaining in their own home, it’s where they’re most comfortable, but the stress of food prep often takes away from the fun. That’s the problem we wanted to solve. We handle the setup, the cooking, and the presentation so our clients can simply enjoy their event and actually spend time with their guests.
It all started small, with me hosting my own get-togethers and watching everyone gather around the charcuterie boards. The boards always became the centerpiece, the conversation starter, the thing people couldn’t stop picking at. Friends started asking me to help with their own events, baby showers, wedding anniversaries, birthdays, anything worth celebrating, and from there, it just took off.
The excitement for me came from seeing how something as simple as a beautifully designed board could bring people together and make any moment feel special. That’s when I knew The Perfect Bite wasn’t just a fun idea, it was something people genuinely needed and loved.
Nicole, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
The Perfect Bite is truly a family affair. It’s made up of my mom, myself, and my two brothers. Each of us brings our own unique strengths to the table. We’ve all worked in different areas of the food industry, so when we decided to come together, it felt natural to combine our experience and creativity to build something of our own.
My mom has been in the food industry since she was sixteen, and she’s the heart of our kitchen. Her love for cooking and her ability to make every dish taste like home is what inspires so much of what we do. My brothers handle the behind-the-scenes work, logistics, setup, and making sure everything runs smoothly, while I focus on design, presentation, and client experience. Together, we create what we like to call “the perfect combo”, delicious food, beautiful presentation, and seamless service.
We specialize in at-home catering and custom charcuterie boards, designed for any occasion from intimate gatherings and birthdays to weddings, corporate events, and everything in between. What sets us apart is our ability to transform food into an experience. We don’t just drop off trays; we create stunning, curated displays that become the centerpiece of any event.
Our goal is to take the stress out of hosting so our clients can actually enjoy their party. We handle everything, from setup to cleanup, allowing people to sit back, relax, and spend time with their guests. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our clients’ reactions when they walk into their event space and see everything come together.
I’m most proud of how far we’ve come as a small family business, building something that not only reflects our passion for food and hospitality but also brings people joy. The Perfect Bite isn’t just about great food; it’s about creating memorable moments, one board (or one bite) at a time.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Honestly, our reputation has grown almost entirely through word of mouth and referrals. From the beginning, we focused on creating experiences that people would talk about long after the event ended. Most of our new clients come from guests who’ve attended one of our parties or seen our boards in person. They get to experience the atmosphere, the presentation, and the quality firsthand, and that’s what draws them in.
We’ve always believed that if you pour your heart into every detail, from the food selection to the layout and overall vibe, people feel that energy. They can taste the care and see the effort, and that’s what makes them want to share it with others. Our clients have been our biggest supporters, and their excitement and trust have truly been the foundation of our growth.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Our best source of new clients has definitely been referrals and social media. Most of our business comes from people who have attended events we’ve catered or have seen our boards in person. They experience the quality, the setup, and the overall vibe, and then reach out when it’s their turn to host.
