CHEF CLAUDETTE ZEPEDA

Forging Change: How Messermeister’s Forge Initiative Shapes a Better Future

At Messermeister, our mission is simple yet powerful: to shape the world for the better.

This philosophy led us to create The Forge Initiative, a bold collaboration between Messermeister and visionary chefs who share our passion for innovation and impact. Through this program, we co-create exceptional, one-of-a-kind knives—and give back in a meaningful way. A portion of every sale goes to nonprofit organizations chosen personally by the chefs we work with.

Giving Back Is in Our DNA

Supporting communities beyond the kitchen has always been a cornerstone of who we are. Over the years, we’ve partnered with many nonprofits, but The Forge Initiative takes that commitment to the next level. By combining craftsmanship, creativity, and purpose, we’re able to make knives that do more than just perform beautifully—they help create real, lasting change.

Chef Claudette Zepeda x Messermeister: A Knife That Gives Back

One of our most exciting collaborations is with Chef Claudette Zepeda, whose bold culinary voice and humanitarian heart made her a perfect partner for The Forge Initiative. Claudette selected No Us Without You (NUWY-LA) as her nonprofit of choice.

NUWY-LA is a grassroots organization providing food security to undocumented communities across Los Angeles County—including back-of-house hospitality workers, street vendors, mariachis, and families in marginalized neighborhoods. As of May 2024, they serve over 700 families—about 2,800 people—every quarter, entirely free of charge.

The Knife: Where Craft Meets Compassion

This collaboration brings Chef Claudette’s signature style to life in a beautifully crafted 7” Chef’s Knife. Lightweight and highly versatile, it features a warm Olive wood handle shaped for all-day comfort and control.

Its standout design includes:

• A contoured pommel for a secure grip on any kitchen task

• Our signature 80/20 blade grind, delivering a thin yet rigid edge

• A ballistic clip point for added tip strength

• Swept edge geometry and a cambered handle for fluid movement on the board

• High-performance Nitro-cobalt steel, chosen for superior sharpness and easy edge restoration

Every detail in this knife speaks to both form and function—with a deeper purpose at its core.

Together, We're Forging a Better Future

Through The Forge Initiative, we’re not just making exceptional knives. We’re building a community of chefs and makers dedicated to improving the world, one cut at a time.

Join us—and be part of something bigger.

A Knife That Cuts Deeper

With The Forge Initiative, you’re not just buying a knife—you’re becoming part of a movement. Together with chefs like Claudette Zepeda, we’re crafting tools that empower kitchens and uplift communities.

Shop the collection and learn more at www.messermeister.com.