Meet Kim Fontinell | Owner; Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Fontinell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
After four years of building my brand: starting as a food truck, providing event catering and participating in our local farmers markets, we decided to open a storefront location where we reside in Maryville, TN. I have poured so much of the fine detail each year into the business to represent an image and standard of excellence in everything we do. We knew we could execute our brick and mortar in the same fashion; however, the success of my business moving forward had to happen with me stepping out of the way. I was wearing so many hats in our daily operations, my effort was not sustainable; my role was now best played as Owner and creative Chef for my business and that meant letting go of the need to do everything. So, I hired the right people for our team who could execute our operations with the same standard of excellence; I now had the opportunity to empower our team’s individual gifts and talents into what we do. With me out of my own way, my business can grow to its highest potential! This journey is best when shared.

What should our readers know about your business?
Pasta runs in our family. I am an Italian and grew up in Long Island, New York. As a little girl, my Nanny fueled my spirit and passion for cooking. I have fond memories being in my Nanny’s kitchen in Brooklyn making homemade pasta. My Nanny represents to me the true heart of every Italian. She was a natural hostess with a genuine heart for others and no stranger passed her hungry. Her dinner table overflowed with food and family. She set the example with heart and passion; and for that, I am thankful.

So when it came time for college, I received my teaching degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University and from there I launched my long career in restaurant management including operations, management as well as teaching and training in a corporate setting. During this time I experienced a culinary trip to Italy for full immersion training to experience the cuisine and culture of its people; the trip was a memorable one! And after a full 22 years in the restaurant industry, I was confident in my work experience to successfully start my own business, and it was my trip to Italy that inspired me to hold true to authentic Italian food.

The Italian Apron, Inc. was officially born in March 2019. I developed our brand to bring an authentic taste of Italy to East Tennessee. It is at the heart and soul of who we are to share our love for Italian food and people. Most of what we prepare at The Italian Apron is derived from family recipes. Even today, it is always a challenge to scale a recipe yield and to be consistent in taste as the recipe evolves from serving a large family dinner to mass production for the community.

To start, I launched our business as a food truck and caterer that served the Maryville, Knoxville and surrounding communities of Tennessee providing restaurant quality food including Italian classics like fresh pasta, scratch made sauces, handmade meatballs, and much more. In 2021 we retired the food truck and became regular vendors at the Maryville, Knoxville and Oak Ridge farmers markets all the while continuing event catering as well. In 2022, we became a Certified Woman Owned Enterprise that continues to open doors of opportunity for the business. We grew in July of 2023 with our own storefront La Cucina | The Italian Apron Marketplace that opened in Maryville, TN. We still provide the same great food we started with initially as well as imported Italian ingredients and more. Saturdays we still work farmer’s markets on a regular basis because it gives us the opportunity to continue to connect with the people of our community and share what our business is about.

Our Italian market is unique and new to our area. At La Cucina, our retail space is a part of our pasta room where fresh locally made pasta becomes an experience to all those who visit. Our back of the house kitchen is equipped with all that we need to support event catering and produce our scratch-made sauces, dessert, fillings for handcrafted pasta and ready-to-bake family meals ToGo. We are also proud to offer a homemade fresh gluten-free pasta that is our own recipe.

Over the years, it is still a joy for us to see that we’ve made an impact with our fresh pasta when our customers have that “Ah ha!” moment experiencing the difference fresh pasta makes. With our take-and-bake family meals, there is not a better fit than to be a part of the family table setting just like it is done in Italian culture! Family is important to us; it is essential our business.

In conclusion, giving back to others is an important core value of our company. From one survivor to another, every year The Italian Apron donates a portion of sales to the Stephen’s Cancer Fund at the University of Tennessee Cancer Institute. A way we can give back to the people and community we call home.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Maryville is a great town nestled in the valley of the Great Smoky Mountains. We continue to grow with great local places to eat such as The Peaceful Side Brewery with delicious eats and craft beers offering dining in their taproom and on certain days, entertainment as well. They will open dining on a nice day with an opportunity to socialize and play some corn hole if you wish. Great atmosphere, food and brews.

In season, the Maryville Farmers Market is a great place to visit in Downtown Maryville Saturday mornings where you can connect with local businesses, farmers, bakers and craft vendors. Certain times of the year Downtown Maryville will host a long line of events such as: Uncorked, Friday Night Lights, Summer on Broadway and the Holiday Craft Market. These events include food vendors, shopping and socializing.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Well, I wouldn’t be here today to serve my community if I didn’t have the gifts and talents God gave me! And because God is faithful, I have the most amazing Husband and business partner. He has been my rock! He has never wavered in his unconditional love and belief in me to run my own business. Our young boys are a joyful part of the business, and my retired parents have also been a constant thread of support throughout these four years. I’m so blessed to have this opportunity as a small business owner, but most importantly, have this journey to share with the people I love most – my family!

Website: https://order-theitalianapron.square.site

Instagram: @the_italian_apron

Facebook: @theitalianapron

Image Credits
Channel 8 photo credit: Tina Rhea