Elias Cairo

A gentle hunter with a heart of gold, Elias is the sly genius behind all of your favorite charcuterie. Born in Salt Lake City, his passion for meat began at a tender age where he learned how to craft meat by his father’s side. Having trained under Swiss master chef Annegret Schlumpf for 5 years, he later opened Portland’s beloved Olympia Provisions in 2009, an accomplishment that would earn him the reputation as one of the best charcuterie experts in the PNW. He’s been a hunter, provider and friend of the land ever since, the kind of man that reveres every piece of meat he touches. 

Why We Love Elias:

1. He’s a master craftsman.

No shortcuts here. Elias believes that the best kind of meat is handmade, lovingly crafted with time, care and respect for the animal. He’s also the keeper of highly prized salumist secrets, bringing new old-world techniques to the charcuterie game back with him to the states. 

2. He loves to learn.

Elias wants to know it all. From understanding the nuances of how to hunt, butcher and correctly prepare an animal to experimenting with new curing techniques, there’s no area in the culinary world Elias shrinks from. Everything idea is a potential lesson waiting to be explored. It’s a lifelong pursuit of knowledge we can’t help but admire.

3. He’s an avid traveler with riveting tales to tell.

Elias has been just about everywhere. From training in Switzerland to making merry on the Greek Isles and beyond, Elias has led the adventurous kind of life that lends itself to gripping stories. His colorful experiences have uniquely shaped his character as an artisan, making him the kind of guy we’d love to have a pint with.