With more space, Cutting Edge Classroom finds new home
That search took them to 150 N. Martinwood Road, Suite 402, in West Knoxville.
“I liked being in Farragut – we’re going to miss that spot – but moving into a large space and being closer to the city, I think, is going to open up some opportunities to get people from Bearden, Knoxville — and still cater to the Farragut folks,” said Chef John Alunni, co-owner of The Cutting Edge Classroom with his wife, Jaana. “We’re more centralized.”
Additionally, he said the business is a little closer to Kingston Pike and easier to find.
The husband-and-wife team moved into their new classroom location in November.
“We just went out, my wife and I, just pounding the pavement. I think we saw a sign; we came in and we called the landlord,” he said. “We love it.
“This is 3,000 square feet,” the chef added. “We were in 1,200 (square feet).”
The additional space allows the couple to have two classrooms, compared to the one classroom in the Herron Road location.
“One of the classrooms seats 28,” Alunni said. “The other seats 60.”
The space also allows them to provide a retail space, where they sell many of the cooking utensils and “gadgets” used in the classrooms, as well as T-shirts and other gift items, he added.
The Cutting Edge Classroom, started by John and Jaana in 2016, offers a variety of classes taught by professional chefs for students of all ages and skill levels.
He said the classes provide fun and an opportunity to meet new people with similar interests.
“The food is great,” Alunni added. “(The classes) are exciting and interactive, chef-taught — all the instructors are chefs — a safe environment and (students can) learn new skills.”
Classes range from baking bread and pastries to making pasta and sushi.
Alunni himself has many years of experience as an executive chef and as an instructor for culinary programs at the University of Tennessee and Pellissippi State Community College. “We do date nights, baking classes, kids’ classes, cooking clubs for adults, private groups and virtual classes,” he said.
The Cutting Edge also offers corporate team-building opportunities including office groups events, birthdays, holidays — and it caters to sports teams, scouts, church groups, women’s groups and wedding rehearsal groups.
Classes meet from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. “We don’t take a day off,” he noted. “Weekends are our busiest times.” To book a class, visit www.thecuttingedgeclassroom.com
“We supply everything,” Alunni said. “If they want a team-building or a private group event, they call.”
For more information, call 865-335-9370 or e-mail jalunni@gmail.com
