For Suhair Najjar, being ‘on board’ is more than a phrase—it’s her way of life.
As owner of The Fig & Zaytoun, a luxury grazing and charcuterie company, she transforms food into art, treating every board as a blank canvas for culinary creativity. And her path has evolved as seamlessly as the flavors she now so carefully pairs and plates.
With her workload lightened during the pandemic, Najjar—a speech pathologist and mom of three—found herself with untapped energy and a restless drive to create.
“I was antsy and always loved to cook,” she said. “I wanted to be a chef, but my father said no…so I went to college.”
At first, she began preparing charcuterie boards for family and friends, who were bowled over by the aesthetics as well as the taste. But when a friend asked her to cater her daughter’s Cinderella-themed Sweet 16, draped in blue and white, she elevated her craft to enchanting new heights.
At that moment, Najjar realized she wasn’t just arranging food—she was curating experiences. Her boards don’t sit quietly on the sidelines; they become part of the aesthetic, commanding attention as the centerpiece of any gathering. Each display is designed to spark conversation and set the tone, elevating events beyond a simple spread into something memorable. It’s this ability to blend beauty with taste that continues to set The Fig & Zaytoun apart.
“I said let me try it for my friend and if it comes out beautiful I’ll launch my business that night,” she recalled.
The timing was perfect, and through word-of-mouth and social media, her business soared. But for this thriving entrepreneur, the true reward is found in the creative process—a journey as fulfilling as the final creation.
“It’s funny because your parents always tell you to not play with your food and here I am doing just that,” she said. “But it’s what I’m passionate about. For me, it’s a creative outlet.”
That creativity rarely switches off. In fact, ideas often strike in those restless moments before sleep.
"'I need to melt this brie with these jams,'" she joked. “My brain is always going.”
Leading up to her venture, she put in considerable field work to test-drive her combinations. This involved immersing herself in the New York cheese scene, such as Murray’s in Greenwich Village, but she credits her first true love of fromage to a trip to France for a wedding anniversary.
“We went from Paris to the South of France and had so much cheese there–all these combinations that I [had] never tried here,” she said. “I came home with a different taste in my mouth.”
Like mother, like daughters—her nine- and seven-year-old have developed advanced palates and often name-drop cheeses in their requests of Manchego or Gouda. The jury is still out on their eight-month-old sibling..
An all-around people-person deeply entrenched in her culture, Najjar draws from her Palestinian roots and plays on the cultural and religious significances of figs and olives.
“Zaytoun is Arabic for olives, plus it’s easy to pronounce,” she added.
Always the purveyor of freshness, Najjar laughs at the scramble to find fresh figs in New Jersey…but it’s all worth it.
Her philosophy is to be ready to take her boards—and her business—wherever the journey leads. She sets up shop in private homes, event venues, and even has provided catering for a Congressional delegation. No board or occasion is ever left unturned: corporate parties, grand openings, bridal expos, anniversaries, and more.
For now, prioritizing work-family balance, she limits her services to weekends with all hands on deck and support from her loved ones.
“My husband and brother will help load and unload,” she explained. “And I’m blessed to have amazing friends.”
As a role model for her daughters, she is happy to assign them small tasks as well. “They think Mommy’s a boss and maybe they can think about owning their own business.”
With family at the core—Najjar, one of eight siblings, comes from a lineage where entrepreneurship runs deep. Beyond pouring her heart into her art, she channels her talents into meaningful causes. Recently, she hosted workshops for underprivileged students at Passaic County Community College, celebrating their accomplishments at the close of summer classes.
“We try to keep it a full circle thing, so that food incorporates culture. We want to bring it to the mainstream.”
What’s next for this momtrepreneur and speech pathologist? With the bar set high, she’s carved out her niche—and perhaps even her calling—in the luxury events space.
And the journey doesn’t stop there—today, she’s focused on networking and pushing her creative boundaries.
“I have to put myself out there and push myself creatively,” she revealed. “It may just be food for people, but for me it’s an art.”
Najjar’s artistry proves that food is more than nourishment—it’s an experience. At The Fig & Zaytoun, every board transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, turning gatherings into unforgettable celebrations of taste and beauty.
To take your next event to the next level, visit @thefigandzaytounnj on Instagram or email: suhair@thefigandzaytoun.com.
Suhair Najjar, owner of The Fig & Zaytoun, transforms grazing into art. Blending beauty, taste, and culture, her custom boards become unforgettable centerpieces that become the topic of conversation at every event. From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, Najjar proves food is more than nourishment—it’s an elevated experience.
“I have to put myself out there and push myself creatively. It may just be food for people, but for me it’s an art.”