John Boos Reversible Maple Countertop Board GIVEAWAY! ARV:$160 2/25

They say that the kitchen is the heart of any home, and I couldn't agree more. There are plenty of memories to be made in this room. Think about it...Kids helping Mommy make cookies or cupcakes, couples enjoying a quiet evening cooking a romantic meal together, or even just memories of fantastic foods and quality time with family and friends.

Growing up, I didn't really have parents blessed with the ability to cook. (With the exception of my Step-Dad, who is an amazing chef!) So most food-related memories from early childhood were meals from Taco Bell or Dominos Pizza. Until we went to Grandma's house, that is! This was a treat, because she always had something yummy for my brother and I. We loved her homemade lasagna, delicious chicken burgers, and even her ooey-gooey grilled cheese. It was my Grandma, who just happens to be my very best friend, that gave me a love for cooking and for family as well.

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So now that I am a mother, I make sure that meal time is always special. My kitchen is a place of love, laughter, and yes, amazing homemade foods. My oldest son loves to help in the kitchen and can even make a few simple dishes on his own. My toddlers help me mix and stir things, knead batter, and of course, they make wonderful taste testers! They even have an awesome Step2 play kitchen of their own to help hone their culinary skills!

Since I am a self-confessed foodie and I do spend so much time in the kitchen, I realize the importance of having high quality kitchen products. I have a top of the line set of appliances with all the bells and whistles, a commercial grade food processor, and a wonderful set of knives. I also have a lot of specialty small appliances that help make cooking fun.

One thing I have been lacking, however, was a good cutting board. The sad cutting boards I had been using for years were plastic, marred with knife marks, and I always feared that no matter how much I scrubbed, they wouldn't come fully clean. I have also used a bamboo cutting board which was beautiful...I loved it a lot, until one day without warning, it split!

So one evening, I was watching the Food Network with my husband, and I saw a gorgeous cutting board that was thick, beautifully made, and definitely could withstand years of heavy usage. I actually grabbed my remote and rewound live TV so I could see who the maker was. When the board came back into the scene, I hit pause. The logo read "Boos Block". I was very excited about this find, and immediately googled the company.

About John Boos & Co. :

"John Boos & Co. Is the leading manufacturer of butcher block and stainless steel gourmet and Foodservice products in the U.S.A. JB&C is renowned for their famous Boos Blocks® and Cutting Boards. JB&C products are "Made in the U.S.A" of solid and quality North American hardwoods, and are the finest in quality, workmanship and design."

I should also add that this company has been a mainstay in kitchens everywhere since 1887! Now that alone, my friends, is testament to the quality and pride in workmanship John Boos & Co. has. So when I contacted them inquiring about their cutting boards, I was over the moon excited when they happily agreed to send me a board of my own to review. I think I may have even done a happy dance!

My Review :

I received the spectacular and oh-so-versatile Maple Countertop Board - Reversible for my review. When it arrived, I was immediately shocked by the weight of this product. It's HEAVY! But that's a good thing, since I have found that most lighter-weight wooden cutting boards tend to be flimsy and split after prolonged use. The next thing I noticed was that it's breathtaking to look at. I am a firm believer that products for the home should not only be functional, but beautiful as well. This cutting board is made from the highest quality, American Maple, and it's evident at first glance that the folks at John Boos & Co. put a lot of pride into their products.

This board is unique for several reasons. First, I love the size. It fits my countertop perfectly. It even has a lip to help prevent slipping and keep the board in place. As you can see, this lip nestles against the edge of the countertop.

This board is reversible, which means it has 2 sides that are both completely functional. One side has a "Gravy Groove" which is helpful to collect juices, scraps, or anything else you don't want leaking onto your countertops.

Here is a closer look at the Gravy Groove. I know the color looks different here than in the rest of my photos, but that was simply due to the lighting in my kitchen. As you can see, there are no sharp or jagged edges whatsoever. The entire surface is smooth, so there are no worries about splinters or having the board "chip away" during use.

The reverse side is a plain, flat surface. This is uniform all around, so there are no inconsistencies. This is especially helpful when trying to create Julienne cuts, or anything else that requires knife precision. If the board isn't even, your prepared food won't be, either. Another thing to remember is to always use a very sharp knife!

The surface of the board is very generous in size. It allows the cook to chop large amounts of food without having to clear the board off a zillion times during the process. This gets huge brownie points from me, since my old plastic cutting board was small, and I had to constantly scoop food into a bowl before I could chop anything else. It got time consuming and tedious at times.

Here is a better photo showing just how large the board is. These are 4 large apples, and as you can see, there is loads of room left to spare.

In addition to being a wonderful surface for cutting and chopping, this board is also great for making doughs, kneading, and even making fresh pastas or gnocchi. I have made pasta using this a few times, and have even done it in the traditional way, where you take a mound of flour and make a "well" for the egg. If your work surface isn't even, this can be a harrowing task. I had no problems using my Boos Board!

One very important thing to note is that proper maintenance is essential with your Boos Boards. This product is very high-end, and does require a minimal amount of upkeep to keep it looking and performing at its best. This board can cleaned with a mild detergent, but should not be soaked or left in liquids for long periods.

Also, it is very important that this board is oiled every 3-4 weeks using the Boos Board Cream. Don't worry, this is very easy to apply. You can apply by hand or using a rag, and all you need to do is rub it into the board and then wipe away the excess cream. Easy, peasy, right? This will keep it moisturized, and help lock out smells, germs and water. Boos Boards come shipped from the factory with a Boos Block Cream Finish with Beeswax which protects and prolongs the life of your board.

Overall, I am incredibly impressed by John Boos & Co. My board is absolutely amazing! The quality is fantastic, and since Maple has natural antibacterial properties, I don't need to worry as much about germs and bacteria. This board is made to last a lifetime and is quite versatile, allowing me to accomplish many tasks in the kitchen. I love that this board helps me keep my countertops clean and free of germs, so clean-up is a breeze. And on top of that, this board is downright sexy..Yep, I said it. It's sexy. Or maybe I am just odd for getting so excited about kitchen products!

I would definitely recommend Boos Boards to anyone who has a love for food, and would like to experience cooking in a whole new way. I can definitely see why professional chefs rave about John Boos & Co. and use them in their restaurant and home kitchens. These boards are definitely a cut above the rest...Pun totally intended!

How To Connect :

You can check out the awesomeness that is John Boos & Co. on their website.

You can also check them out on Facebook and on YouTube to stay on top of their latest products and promotions!

Win It !

I am thrilled to announce that a lucky reader will receive a Maple Countertop Board - Reversible of their own. How cool is that?!

Simply enter using the easy Rafflecopter form below!

This giveaway is open to US residents 18+ until 11:59PM February 25, 2013. No PO Boxes. Winners will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!

***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

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