At Thirteen Chefs®, we are passionate about bringing high-quality cutting boards and mineral oil into every home cook’s kitchen. Our story begins in 2013 when our founder, a lifelong cooking enthusiast, was struggling to find a cutting board that could stand up to his meal prep. After testing countless models made of plastic, bamboo, glass, and other materials, he finally landed on wood as the best option for both functionality and aesthetic.

However, even wood boards showed wear and tear with daily use. No matter how carefully he hand washed them, the surfaces would slowly crack and dry out over time. He tried various oils and waxes to nourish the wood, but most just sat on top without penetrating properly. That’s when he discovered food-grade mineral oil – it seeped deeply into the grain to restore moisture while remaining completely safe and invisible. He began treating his boards regularly with mineral oil and was amazed at how it brought them back to life and protected them from further damage.

With this discovery, a light bulb went off. Why not start a business to share high-quality wood cutting boards and mineral oil with other cooking enthusiasts? And so Thirteen Chefs® was born, launching first online in 2015 before expanding into retail locations. Our name pays homage to the 13 original colonies while emphasizing our mission to help every chef succeed in the kitchen.

Our Values

Thirteen Chefs® was founded on a few key principles that still guide us today:

• Quality over quantity – We only use the best materials and craftsmanship in our products, preferring to offer a focused selection of boards rather than a vast array with inconsistent quality.
• Form meets function – Our boards balance utility and beauty, featuring gorgeous wood grains that are also durable and knife-friendly.
• Education – We strive to share knowledge and best practices around cutting board care and kitchen maintenance. An informed chef is a successful chef!
• Customer experience – From our product selection to our customer service, we make decisions based on what will best serve our customers’ cooking needs and lifestyle.
• Sustainability – We source wood and other materials in a responsible, eco-friendly manner. Our mineral oil is even derived from natural plant extracts!

Our Story

After getting Thirteen Chefs® off the ground online, we opened our first brick-and-mortar store in 2017 in Nashville, TN. As a hub for music and food scenes, Nashville was the perfect location to introduce locals to our cutting boards and mineral oil. The response from the community was so positive that we expanded into additional locations throughout Tennessee over the next few years.

In 2021, we launched nationwide shipping to provide our products to home cooks everywhere. It has been incredibly rewarding to see Thirteen Chefs’ boards arrive at customers’ doorsteps from New York to California and all points in between. Our online shop makes it easy to find the perfect board for your needs whether you’re an amateur home chef or seasoned professional.

Throughout our growth, we’ve stayed committed to our hands-on approach. Every wood board is sanded smooth by hand prior to treating with mineral oil and inspecting for quality. We never take shortcuts. This meticulous process allows the natural wood grain patterns and colors to shine through while ensuring the surface feels like silk.

Our line of plastic boards receives the same exacting standards – they are lightweight yet durable, resisting stains and odors even after heavy prep work with meat, fish, and veggies. The textured surfaces provide safe footing for your ingredients during chopping and slicing.

Thirteen Chefs® mineral oil also remains at the core of our business. Sourced from natural extracts, our food-safe formula revitalizes wood surfaces while forming an invisible barrier against moisture and bacteria. A few drops keep boards hygienic and looking like new for years of daily meal prep.

Our Products

Here are some of the customer favorites we proudly offer in our online shop and stores:

Cutting Boards

• Maple wood boards – Known for hardness, resistance to warping, and a light tan color. Stains less than other woods.
• Walnut wood boards – A darker wood with natural anti-bacterial properties. Develops a beautiful patina with use.
• Cherry wood boards – Ages to a rich reddish-brown. Excellent scratch resistance and durability.
• Teak wood boards – Water-resistant and durable. Features an attractive golden-brown color.
• Bamboo boards – Made from highly renewable bamboo stalks. Naturally antimicrobial with low moisture absorption.
• Acacia wood boards – Hardwood with distinctive flowing dark brown grain patterns. Stains and warps minimally.
• Plastic boards – Available in many colors. BPA-free and dishwasher safe. Our textured surfaces prevent slipping.
• Juice grooves/drip pan boards – Keep your work surface neater with built-in grooves or pans that collect liquids.
• Reversible two-tone boards – Use one side for meat and one for veggies to prevent cross-contamination.
• End-grain boards – Made by gluing wood pieces vertically, end-grain construction is ultra gentle on knives.

Mineral Oil

• Thirteen Chefs® Food Grade Mineral Oil – Our signature mineral oil formula, sourced from natural plant extracts. Use regularly to condition and protect wood boards and utensils.
• Board Care Kit – Convenient bundle with oil plus a microfiber cloth for application and beeswax polish to buff boards to a glow.

Other Items

• Olive wood utensils and bowls
• Acacia and teak serving boards perfect for presenting charcuterie, cheese, desserts, and more
• Handcrafted cutting boards featuring beautiful inlaid designs, carved edges, and unique shapes
• Quality kitchen knives and accessories to cover all your chopping, slicing, and carving needs
• Gift sets that pair a cutting board with oil, utensils, spreads, or other treats

Our Commitment

At Thirteen Chefs®, our customers are our top priority. We stand behind every board and bottle of mineral oil we sell with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you aren’t completely happy with your purchase, return it for a full refund – no questions asked.

We also back our quality by providing a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects in our wood and plastic boards. In the unlikely event a board exhibits issues with materials or construction within the first year of ownership, we will replace it free of charge.

Our team is always available by phone, email, or online chat to answer any questions you may have and provide friendly, patient support. We want you to get the most out of using your Thirteen Chefs® board or oil. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

We take pride in sustainable practices throughout our supply chain – from sources that use responsible harvesting for wood to eco-friendly production methods in our workshop. Everything down to our packaging aims to protect the planet for future generations of home cooks.

Giving back is also extremely meaningful to us. A portion of every purchase helps provide cutting boards and kitchen supplies to culinary schools and charities supporting underserved communities. Your order with Thirteen Chefs® supports the next generation of chefs!

The Future

While we’ve accomplished a lot in just a few short years, everyone at Thirteen Chefs® sees this as only the beginning. We will continue expanding our workshop capabilities and retail locations to spread our cutting boards across America. Exciting new board materials and designs are under development, as are additional mineral oil formulas tailored to different uses.

Most importantly, we remain tireless in our mission to provide all kitchen warriors with exceptional tools to feed their passion. A perfectly seasoned cast iron pan starts with a perfectly smooth cutting board, after all. When you shop with us, you become part of the Thirteen Chefs® culinary community – one focused on quality, education, sustainability, and service.

We can’t wait to see what the future holds, and we’re so glad you’re along for the journey with us! Please explore our online shop, stop by one of our stores, or give us a call or chat if you have any questions. Let’s cook together.

Thirteen Chefs® – For the chef in all of us.