and a wooden butcher block provides a stylish and robust means to protect worktops while hacking into hearty chunks of meat or vegetables. However, in the catering industry wood is genuinely eschewed as it can absorb juices and breed bacteria, making it Who else loves the look of brand new butcher block countertops? The natural wood gives a rich, cozy feel to a kitchen. But I've always wondered how these beauties hold up over time. Among folks who actually installed butcher block counters in their home Who else loves the look of brand new butcher block countertops? The natural wood gives a rich, cozy feel to a kitchen. But I've always wondered how these beauties hold up over time. Among folks who actually installed butcher block counters in their home L.W. McLean. A. Before you decide on a finish for your wood countertop, you've got to decide if you're going to work "on" it, or "in" it. In other words, is this going to be a working surface, like a true butcher block, where you'll do chopping and cutting? .