In June 2024 we launched our new sister business, The Sharpening Shop! Together with our partners, master-sharpener Ayanori Suzuki and master-branders GYMNASIUM Studio. Together with local Mexican food phenoms Metl and a fantastic Sake selection by Sake in Motion, we celebrated the launch with crisp rice wines, spicy stuffed corn shells, and face-lifts for dull knives.

Ayanori Suzuki of The Sharpening Shop

While-you-wait sharpening station

Ayanori-San had just moved to Barcelona a few months prior to the opening of The Sharpening Shop. He has spent the past decade sharpening knives at the famous Stockholm sharpening company, Clean-Cut, and before that was learning from his grandfather in Japan. During the lunch club event he was sharpening knives on the spot with people watching over to see how it's done. 

Sussi from Sake in Motion

Behind the bar was Sake sommelier Sussi Villarico, one of the first people we met in Barcelona, when she was still hosting wonderful sake-paired private dinners under the brand of Cooking in Motion in Poblenou. One of just a few people in Spain who are experts in this fascinating drink, she now has her own import company, Sake in Motion, and supplies some of the best restaurants in Spain with exceptional Sakes of great variety. For this event, she was pouring fizzy-fresh-citrusy Sake cocktails as well as crisp, clean straight Sake. 

Enoki mushroom Taco by Metl

Juan Pescador and Oriana Abueta Unda, founders of Metl, were behind the pass. Juan was a student in our first ever knife making class and Ori and him welcomed us to Poblenou when we moved here. They were running a catering business for many years while working other jobs until finally, in 2024, they made the transition and opened their first restaurant in Poblenou, exploring the cuisine of their homelands and serving umami, acid, and spice-packed food with their signature smiles (btw Metl is soon to open another location in Barcelona). 

Goodies by Metl and Florentine Kitchen Knives

Galia, Ran (i.e GYMNASIUM Studio) and little Mona flew in from London and graced us with their presence. GYMNASIUM Studio have been branding Florentine Kitchen Knives since it’s inception in 2012. They opened their London studio a few years back after working for some of the most well-known and respected designers and brands. 

Tomer and Juan