La Grange’s Culinary Craftsman

In this monthly series, local realtor Andrea Schutter Riebeling does a Q & A with local business leaders about what inspires them. This month’s spotlight is on Alton Janelle, The Culinary Craftsman of La Grange.

1.) What is your business?

I’m The Culinary Craftsman and I specialize in customizing chef knives, hand sharpening them, and creating unique and original barware for clients worldwide.

2.) How did you get started?

I’ve been doing knife things since 2014, first as an apprentice under another knifemaker in Wisconsin, where I ran his marketing, branding, and part of his shop. But when his clients started to request me and my aesthetic personally, I decided to go out on my own.

3.) How long have you been in business?

It’s been an exciting four years. I started this solo venture in 2017 in Madison, WI and then moved it to La Grange in 2018 to go at it full-time.

4.) Is it a one-man business and where do you sell your items?

Yes, I’m a one man show. I do it all. From designing and laying out the color combinations and making the product to all the branding, marketing, display designs, photography, sharpening, and packaging.

As far as things for sale, currently, I have a couple of retailers that sell my unique and one of a kind Wine Keys, but I’m planning on expanding to offer up some sweet chef knives soon. In the meantime, you can find my wares in Round Top at The Humble Donkey or in Houston at Courtney Barton’s beautiful store. Otherwise, everything else I make is a custom order.

5.) What is the best selling gift or product that you sell?

Well, when you specialize in custom items, it’s hard to say. A custom knife makes an excellent gift, and many have been. But to be specific on a single item, I’ve handcrafted over 150 variations of Wine Keys to date.

6.) Tell us something unique about your craft.

Everything about my craft is unique. From the materials that I use, to the design, and execution. However, probably my favorite thing about my craft is that I get to apply all of my art and design skills into each and every custom piece I make.

7.) What is your background?

I’ve been an artist my whole life. I attended HSPVA for Visual Arts, and followed that to Milwaukee where I graduated with a BFA in Industrial Design and a minor in Printmaking from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. Prior to opening up shop as The Culinary Craftsman, I was a corporate Product Designer of Home Goods for six years at Lands’ End. I’ve designed everything from beach towels and bedding, to needlepoint stockings, dog clothes, and even a bicycle with Schwinn. If it wasn’t something you wore, chances are I worked on it.

8.) What do you suggest to others who want to venture out and take a leap of action in the future of their career?

Just do it! If it’s something that resonates with you, follow it. Listen to that gut feeling. It’s rarely wrong, and it will most likely put you on the path that you really want to be on.

9.) Do you believe in college, trade school or any training?

Totally! I’ve had an extensive amount of training in visual art and design, but I’m always excited to learn something new. You can never know too much, as the more you know the more you can draw from.

10.) What do you love about Fayette County?

The people. They are fantastic and I can’t get enough for the ways that this community supports the Arts. It’s beautiful.

11.) What makes you laugh?

Everything! I’m a jolly guy.