The Long Road to Great Charcuterie | Elias Cairo

Great charcuterie doesn’t start in the curing room. It starts with the animal.Elias Cairo has spent most of his life chasing that idea.Elias is the founder of Olympia Provisions in Portland, Oregon, one of the most respected charcuterie producers in North America. What began as a small project has grown into a group of restaurants and curing rooms, but the heart of Olympia Provisions is still a tight knit crew of people committed to doing things the right way.In this conversation, Elias shares the path that brought him there.As a young cook he left North America to apprentice in Switzerland, where food traditions are treated with deep respect and charcuterie is inseparable from farming, animals, and place. When he returned home, he realized that if he wanted to make that kind of product here, he would have to build the systems himself.Finding farmers raising animals the right way.Creating relationships that ensure consistent quality.Building a company culture where everyone understands the responsibility behind the food they produce.Because great charcuterie is not just about technique. It is about people, animals, and the discipline to do things properly.We talk about hunting, wild game, fermentation, patience, and the long pursuit of making food that people trust.Guest LinksOlympia Provisionshttps://www.olympiaprovisions.comOlympia Provisions Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/olympiaprovisionsElias Cairohttps://www.olympiaprovisions.com/blogs/bios/9641623-elias-cairo_____Silvercore is built on a lifetime spent outdoors, on ranges and in the company of people who live with skill, purpose and integrity. Here you will find real conversations, fieldcraft, practical training, stories from the wild and the lessons that help us grow mentally and physically. Whether it is a podcast with someone who has been tested, a tip you can use today or a look behind the scenes, the goal is to help you live stronger, safer and more capable in the outdoors and in life.Silvercore Club members receive exclusive podcast episodes, online courses, insurance for their adventures and discounts on premium gear:https://bit.ly/2RiREb4Online Training: https://bit.ly/3nJKx7UTraining and Services: https://bit.ly/3vw6kSUMerchandise: https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9Blog: https://bit.ly/3nEHs8WHost Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bader.tiffanySilvercore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoorsContact:[email protected] 940 7785www.silvercore.caAll content on this channel is for informational purposes only. Always follow the law, follow safe handling practices and train with qualified professionals. Silvercore assumes no liability for the use or misuse of any information shown here._____00:00 Introduction to Elias Cairo02:15 First tasting Olympia Provisions05:10 What real charcuterie is08:40 Learning from European food culture14:20 Apprenticeship in Switzerland20:45 Why great charcuterie starts with the animal27:30 Hunting and cooking wild game33:15 The difference between North American and European food traditions40:50 What makes great salami49:10 Patience, fermentation, and curing meat57:30 Building Olympia Provisions1:05:10 Advice for people who want to make charcuterie