Before you get to cooking up family recipes this holiday season, pay a visit to Ambrosi Brothers Cutlery Company.
Well-known to chefs and restaurateurs, many professional kitchens around the metro rely on the business to maintain their tools of the trade, but home cooks are more than welcome, too. Whether your knives are in need of some TLC or you’re on the hunt for a gift, the shop can help with its sharpening services and top-notch cookware.
Founded in 1959 by brothers Jesse and Marco Ambrosi, the family-owned business began modestly, first sharpening blades out of a truck and later operating out of Jesse’s home workshop. The first storefront was at 15th and Main, but in 1991, the business moved to its current Midtown locale (3023 Main St., KCMO). Today, the tradition continues under the ownership of Jesse’s son, Alfred, with help from his daughter and son-in-law MaryAnn and Spencer Lutes.
Sharpening services are available for drop-off, but for a small additional fee ($2 per knife), they’ll sharpen while you wait. (The shop sharpens around 1,500 blades each day.) On a recent visit, I was in and out within 10 minutes.
Behind the counter, you’ll find professional quality cutlery, largely imported from Germany, Switzerland and Japan. The shop stocks everything from small boning knives to large multipurpose chef’s knives, as well as other cookware like retro-inspired Smeg stand mixers, stainless steel pasta makers, meat grinders and more. To learn more, check out abcutlery.com.
