Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Machado.
Andrew, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well blacksmithing is something that I always wanted to do since I was a child. I was always tinking and making stuff in my backyard. Just never gave it thought that I could make a career out of it. So instead I took on the Culinary Arts and worked my way to becoming chef. Many years later I ended up becoming a sous chef at several local restaurants in the Orlando area. Two of them being The Crooked Spoon in Clermont and Turners in downtown Leesburg. Even becoming chef at Wave Asian Bistro and Sushi in Mount Dora. One day over those years I realized I was buying handmade chef knives so obviously people were still doing this as a career. So I slowly started collecting the tools needed to make them myself. Then the pandemic happened, and after being over worked during it I lost my passion for cooking. During this though I was slowly gaining a passion for blacksmithing. Shortly after making my first knife in August of 2020 I quit my chef job and dove head first into blacksmithing. With the full support of my wife I was able to pursue this passion and make a business from it. That’s how VikingChef Forge was born. Since then I’ve made chef knives for chefs all over the world! I’ve also been featured in Blade Magazine. After my first year of blacksmithing I even started working the local Florida renaissance faires including Lady of the Lakes in Tavares.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenges was mainly getting your name out there. Doing shows and not selling a single thing. It can really make you depressed but you have to keep pushing.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Blacksmith that specializes in making kitchen knives. One thing that makes me stand out among other makers is my blade shapes. I don’t follow the traditional look that you would normally see in a chef knife. My profiles stand out among other knives and you can point them out. They are not what I like to call “cookie cut” like some other makers do.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My biggest supporter is my wife Desiree Machado. She’s been supporting me since day one of this journey. Couldn’t have gotten this far without her. Also my kids of course. They are my biggest motivation to do anything in life. Can’t forget my best friend Angel Medina. We formed a bond over blacksmithing and he’s always given me advice on my journey. And of course my clients, they are the reason I can even keep doing this. Seeing the smile on their faces makes it all worth it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vikingchef_forge
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14Pb8muzhqm/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vikingchef_forge
