In the professional kitchen, every second counts. From prep to plate, your team's success depends on the quality of its tools. But what if your kitchen partner offered more than just tools? What if they brought a century of craftsmanship and a full range of services to keep your kitchen running at peak performance?
That partner is Nella. We are the go-to experts for professional knife sharpening.
Our story is a legacy that began in 1901 with a simple knife sharpening service and has since grown into a complete solution for modern catering businesses.
From a Grindstone Barrow to a Nationwide Fleet
The Nella story began in 1901 with our founder, Emilio Nella, in the small Italian village of Carisolo. He left his home and journeyed to London, pushing a grindstone barrow on foot. There, he built a reputation as a master grinder and sharpener. Unlike mass-produced blades, Emilio put his skill and care into every knife, honing each one by hand to a perfect edge. He knew this level of quality would make a true difference in a butcher's shop or a local caterer’s kitchen. You can learn more about our company's journey on our about page.
Generations of the Nella family have passed down this dedication. From Emilio's sons to his grandsons, and now to his great-grandsons and great-great-grandchildren, we maintain the core values of high-quality products, reliable knife sharpening, and good value. Today, we serve over 42,000 customers across the UK, Ireland, and Europe with a fleet of over 100 vehicles.
Our unique history is the foundation for everything we do. Our services continue a century-old promise of excellence.
The ROI of Sharpness: Our Knife Sharpening Service
A dull knife is a liability. It slows down prep, is more dangerous to use, and can even compromise the quality of your ingredients. Our professional knife sharpening service eliminates this risk and turns your knives into valuable assets.
You'll receive a full set of professional Nella knives, colour-coded for food safety, which means you don't need to purchase your own. We then manage a regular rotation schedule; weekly, fortnightly, or monthly to ensure your knives are always razor-sharp. Our expert grinders and sharpeners work in our dedicated factories, hand-sharpening each blade. Our team then washes, sanitises, and quality-checks the knives before returning them to your kitchen.
A truly sharp knife lets a chef work with precision. You can effortlessly fillet delicate fish without tearing it and perfectly slice a tomato without bruising it. This control results in less waste and a more professional presentation. It's the difference between a ragged slice and a perfectly julienned vegetable. By providing consistently sharp knives, we empower your team to focus on the art of cooking, knowing their tools will never hold them back.
From Liability to Asset: Chopping Board Resurfacing
Just like knives, chopping boards experience heavy wear and tear. Over time, deep grooves and scratches can harbour bacteria, becoming a food safety risk. Our innovative chopping board resurfacing service offers a smart, sustainable solution.
We supply a complete set of colour-coded boards, which we collect and replace on a regular schedule. We take the used boards to our facility, where we professionally resurface them to be 'as good as new'. This process extends the life of your boards up to six times, saving you up to 70% compared to buying new ones. You can learn more about our services on our chopping board resurfacing service page. This service helps you stay safe and compliant with hygiene standards. It also reduces waste and lowers your carbon footprint, just like our knife sharpening service.
Beyond Blades: Comprehensive Catering Equipment Service
Our expertise started with knife sharpening, but our commitment to your kitchen's efficiency goes beyond knives and boards. We understand a busy kitchen requires a wide range of reliable equipment. Building on our foundational work in knife sharpening, we now offer a full catering equipment supply and service.
From stick blenders and slicers to bandsaws and mincers, we supply, service, and sharpen a vast range of commercial machinery. By using a single service provider for all your maintenance needs, you eliminate the hassle of dealing with multiple vendors and disjointed service calls. You can learn more about our offerings on our catering equipment service page. Whether you need an emergency repair, a temporary loan machine to keep operations running, or a full preventative maintenance plan, our team is ready to help. We are an authorized partner for a wide range of leading brands, including Mainca, Medoc, Robot Coupe, and more, ensuring you always have access to top-tier equipment and expert support.
Our Commitment to a Sustainable Kitchen
Sustainability is a vital consideration in a business focused on efficiency and cost. Nella takes pride in helping commercial kitchens operate in a more environmentally responsible way. We build our core services on the principles of reuse and reduction.
Our knife sharpening service extends the usable life of high-quality blades, preventing early disposal. Similarly, our chopping board resurfacing program allows boards to be used for up to six times longer than their traditional lifespan. These practices directly reduce the amount of equipment that ends up in landfills. This minimizes your carbon footprint and supports a circular economy. Choosing Nella is a smart business decision that also aligns with your sustainability goals.
Your Partner for Kitchen Excellence
Nella's story is one of tradition and growth, built on an unwavering commitment to the culinary industry. We are a partner dedicated to your kitchen's safety and efficiency, which in turn leads to greater profitability.
By choosing Nella, you get a company that combines a deep legacy of craftsmanship with a modern, comprehensive approach to kitchen management. Are you ready to streamline your operations and experience the full-service advantage of our professional knife sharpening? Contact us today.