Today we’d like to introduce you to Chaya Niedzwiecki.
Hi Chaya, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Graze by Brachie & Chaya really grew out of years of cooking, community involvement, and a shared love of food. Brachie brings over 20 years of experience in the food industry, while Chaya has a background in food and nutrition management. Cooking and hosting have always been a big part of both of our lives.
About six years ago, we began working together more regularly, preparing meals and spreads for events at our synagogue and for various nonprofit and community gatherings. What started as helping out and volunteering quickly became something people began requesting again and again.
For a few years we talked about the idea of turning it into a small business — mostly as a fun side project. But over time we started noticing a real demand in the Kansas City community for high-quality kosher catering and thoughtfully prepared meals. After hearing the same question over and over — “Do you cater?” — we realized it might be time to take the leap.
In August of 2025 we officially launched Graze by Brachie & Chaya. Our goal from the beginning has been simple: Every menu, grazing board, and event we create is thoughtfully curated using high-quality, kosher ingredients and styled with care—balancing flavor, presentation, and ease.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the unique challenges of building a business in a close-knit community is that many of our clients are people we know personally or are referred to us by friends and community members. In many ways that’s something we’re incredibly grateful for, because it shows the level of trust people have in us and in our food.
At the same time, it can make certain aspects of running a business — like setting pricing and establishing clear expectations — a little more complex. When you’re working with friends or friends-of-friends, you want to be thoughtful and fair while also making sure the business is sustainable and reflects the amount of work, planning, and quality that goes into each event.
Over time we’ve learned that clear communication and transparency are really important. It’s helped us create a structure that allows us to serve our community while still running a professional business. In the end, the community support has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey, and it’s something we don’t take for granted.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Our work really centers around helping people celebrate and host with ease. We offer full-service catering and event planning, as well as Shabbat take-out meals that families can enjoy without the stress of cooking and preparing everything themselves.
We work on a wide range of events — like preparing kosher meals for someone visiting Kansas City for business to bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings and everything in between — and we help with everything from menu planning to setup so hosts can focus on their guests.
One of the things we’re especially known for, and one of our favorite things to create, are our grazing boards. They’re beautifully arranged spreads filled with a variety of curated items that are designed to be both visually stunning and delicious. Grazing boards have become a signature part of what we do because they create a centerpiece for gatherings and allow people to enjoy food in a relaxed, social way.
At the heart of it all, we’re passionate about creating high-quality kosher food that feels both beautiful and delicious — the kind of food that turns a meal into a memorable gathering.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to us is the sense of community behind everything we do. Many of our clients are friends, neighbors, or people who were referred to us by someone in the community, and that level of trust means the world to us.
Equally important is that the food we serve is genuinely delicious. Kansas City doesn’t have the same kosher restaurant scene as larger cities, so we want everyone—those who keep kosher and non-kosher diner alike—to feel like they’re getting a truly special experience. Our goal is to create food that’s just as exciting, flavorful, and high quality as what you would find in bigger food markets — dare we say, sometimes even better.
We’ve had the privilege of catering everything from Shabbos take-out orders to holiday parties, serving kosher and non-kosher clients alike. No matter the occasion, we care deeply about using high-quality ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and careful presentation to make every meal feel abundant, special, and memorable.
At the end of the day, food has always been about bringing people together. Being able to contribute to people’s tables, celebrations, and community gatherings is something we’re truly grateful for — and we want everyone, no matter their background, to feel welcome to share in it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grazekc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grazekc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/GRAZE-KC/61579957858082/
