Welcome to Gourmet Edge® Knife Set, Cookware Set – your source for exquisite cutlery and cookware that takes your culinary creations to the next level. Our story begins over 35 years ago, when our founders envisioned a company dedicated to bringing the superb craftsmanship of German knives and cookware to American home cooks.
Our Roots Run Deep
Our company was founded in 1984 by two friends – Carl Schmidt and David Kaufman – who shared a passion for cooking and a appreciation for quality kitchen tools. As avid home cooks, they were frustrated by the lack of durable, precision-engineered cutlery and cookware available in the US at that time. Most products were either cheaply made or exorbitantly priced for professional use. They saw a need for reasonably-priced, high-performing German knives and cookware tailored specifically for enthusiastic home cooks.
Carl and David started importing products from Solingen, Germany – a region world-renowned for cutlery manufacturing. The knives that came from Solingen artisans were crafted from premium materials and held their exceptionally sharp edges through years of regular use. The region’s cookware was equally remarkable, with tri-ply construction that allowed for quick, even heating.
To build their fledgling company, Carl and David reached out to fellow cooking enthusiasts. They sold their first imports out of the trunks of their cars at culinary events and food festivals. As word spread, they graduated to selling at trade shows and then small specialty cookware shops. With their reputation for outstanding German-made knives and cookware growing steadily, they were able to open their first small warehouse and office in Southern California in 1986.
Three Decades of Growth
Over the past 30+ years, Gourmet Edge has expanded exponentially while remaining loyal to our founders’ original vision. We’ve grown from a team of 3 people to over 250 dedicated employees. Our headquarters is still located in Southern California, where we’ve gone from a small warehouse space to operating a 70,000 square foot facility dedicated to importing, quality control, marketing, and direct shipping.
While expanding our team and facilities, we’ve also significantly increased the number of products we offer. What started as a handful of Solingen knife and cookware imports has grown into a comprehensive selection of over 500 different cutlery, cookware, bakeware, and kitchen tool products. From forged chef’s knives to stainless steel cookware sets, kitchen shears to cutting boards, we truly offer fully outfitted kitchens for home cooks.
Even with this astounding growth, we’ve stayed true to our founders’ vision by maintaining extremely high standards for everything we sell under the Gourmet Edge name:
- All products are rigorously tested in our California facility before being approved for sale. We examine edge retention, durability, construction quality, heating conductivity, and ease of use. If a product doesn’t live up to our strict performance benchmarks, it doesn’t make it onto our shelves.
- We partner exclusively with high-end manufacturers who still employ generations-old techniques while also utilizing modern technology. This blend of tradition and innovation results in exceptional products.
- A commitment to premium materials is essential. Our cutlery features trusted stainless steel alloys and high-carbon variations. Our cookware boasts tri-ply, encapsulated base construction for optimum heating.
- Precision craftsmanship is key, from the Forging and tempering process for knives to the milling and polishing of cookware. Skilled artisans invest time and care into every step.
- User-friendly designs cater to home cooks. Ergonomic handles, intuitive controls, ovens and stovetop safe materials – our products are thoughtfully engineered for simplicity and comfort.
While we’ve expanded our catalog dramatically, our dedication to offering quality above all else has remained unchanged since those early trunk-sale days.
The Gourmet Edge Difference
So what exactly sets Gourmet Edge apart in the world of culinary tools? Here are a few key factors:
A Direct Path from Maker to User
We deal directly with manufacturers whenever possible, maintaining strong relationships with generations of artisans. This direct coordination allows us to provide fair pricing that represents the true value of premium German craftsmanship. There are no middlemen or retail markups – we pass significant savings directly along to our customers.
A Commitment to Education and Support
Our team includes dedicated customer service staff, all of whom are cooking enthusiasts themselves. They are ready to answer any and all questions – from advising on which knife is right for different tasks to troubleshooting cookware care. We also have an extensive library of instructional videos and guides that cover topics like honing techniques, deglazing pans, and much more.
The Confidence of Our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Every Gourmet Edge product is backed by our ironclad 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not completely happy with your purchase for any reason, you can return it for a full refund or exchange within 60 days of purchase. With over three decades of experience behind us, we confidently stand behind every high-quality knife, pan, and tool that bears our name.
A Knife Sharpening Service Like No Other
A sharp knife is a safe, efficient knife. We offer an affordable, mail-in sharpening service to keep your blades factory-fresh. For a small flat fee, our in-house knife experts will professionally sharpen and hone your knives to better-than-new condition. You don’t even need to leave home – we’ll provide prepaid shipping materials. Getting your cherished knives sharpened is fast, convenient, and shockingly inexpensive.
Staunch Supporters of Cooking for a Cause
In the spirit of supporting our robust cooking community, Gourmet Edge is a proud sponsor of various culinary-related charitable organizations and events.
- We regularly contribute products and funds to Cook for the Cure, which partners professional chefs with breast cancer foundations to provide nourishing meals for patients undergoing treatment.
- Our team participates annually in Knives for Non-Profits, using our sharpening services to restore the cutlery of soup kitchens and shelters free of charge.
- We are a sponsor of the California Culinary Summer Camp which offers week-long, immersive cooking experiences for disadvantaged youths considering culinary careers.
Giving back through food and cooking is a core part of our company mission. We’re committed to supporting these life-changing organizations.
Join the Gourmet Edge Family
We invite you to become part of the growing Gourmet Edge family and let us equip your kitchen with superior tools worthy of your culinary passions. For over 35 years, we’ve remained focused on our founders’ vision – providing home cooks with high-quality, fairly priced knives, cookware, and accessories imported from the legendary manufacturing region of Solingen, Germany.
We stand behind every product we sell with a 100% satisfaction guarantee because we have full confidence in their performance. Our California-based customer service team is ready to offer advice tailored to you, from product recommendations to cooking tips. To further care for your purchases, we provide an affordable professional sharpening service to keep your cutlery like new.
Becoming a Gourmet Edge customer also connects you with our active cooking community. We regularly give back by contributing to culinary charities and educational initiatives. Together, our shared enthusiasm has allowed a modest trunk-sale operation to grow into the leading destination for German knives and cookware. We remain forever grateful to our customers for making this journey possible.
We invite you to start your Gourmet Edge story today. Browse our diverse catalog of exceptional kitchenware – from forged knives honed to a razor edge to tri-ply encapsulated cookware that distributes heat perfectly. Cookware designed to be treasured and passed down. When you cook and slice with tools from our collection, you’ll immediately feel – and taste – the difference that three decades of passion makes. Welcome to cooking elevated.