Butcher, Baker, Cutting Board Maker

Kitchen and home goods with a purpose

It took a farm boy years of traveling to get back to his roots.

CIA grad and chef Corey Fair grew up on a ranch in Texas. After cooking his way across the country--from California to Florida to Philadelphia--he grew frustrated that he couldn’t find many kitchen and home goods that reflected the agrarian lifestyle of his childhood. Thus, Butcher & Baker was born, to create products that are well crafted, useful, and organic whenever possible.

Our favorites from the line include:

Aprons ($55 to $70): Full and half aprons in materials such as natural linen, hemp and organic cotton protect you sustainably. The double-layer denim apron is as sturdy as it is functional, with a pocket for a thermometer, markers and the like.

Cutting boards ($115 to $195): A North Carolina-based craftsman makes butcher-style maple cutting boards in a variety of finishes. Each board is weighty enough to withstand chopping, slicing and the test of time.

A full line of plateware, silverware and table linens, named Homestead, is planned for the fall, as are a variety of spices and salts. This is one company baking up a lot of good ideas.