taste

Food artistry

hen you visit Italy, it’s hard not to fall in love with the finer things in life, including a life-long partner. Lindsay DiDonna, food stylist and in Highlands Ranch, has always been an entertainer, so making aesthetically pleasing food boards for social gatherings comes as second nature. When the pandemic hit, she decided to transition her extra time into something productive and creative—during the day, she crunches numbers and does strategic work for a college in Utah; by night she runs Ornery Olive, which serves as her creative outlet. “My husband is from Italy and we married there years ago. [That’s where I] fell in love with charcuterie and the finer things in life,” says DiDonna. “I want to provide people with the ultimate social dining experience. All good conversation at a dinner party or event starts with excellent food. Not to mention, people love eating anything that is aesthetically pleasing, and I vow to bring both to them.” She’s not here to simply toss a bunch of items on a board, either. “Each ingredient is handpicked, carefully paired, and sourced locally, wherever possible.” As for how she makes them so pretty? She “goes with the flow” when pairing the cheeses and charcuterie. “I go with how I feel that day and always listen to music when I make them. All ingredients are placed as I go. I start with the cheese, place the charcuterie, add large fruit items, such as grapes, and fill in as I work.” Spoken like a true artist.