Friday, May 13, 2011

The Food Network, Upscale Restaurants and Your Kitchen...GIVEAWAY!

     When you think of Central Illinois, do you think of cornfields, rich black soil and a flat landscape? That seems to be our "claim to fame" around this part of the country. I doubt that you think of Bobby Flay, Martha Stewart, Paula Deen or the White House, but there is a connection. Right here in my part of the country is a company that makes products that I know many of my readers have seen numerous times on the Food Network, in high end kitchen stores and in many restaurants and celebrity kitchens across the country. John Boos & Co. is one of the oldest manufacturers of premium quality kitchen equipment and butcher blocks in the United States, and has been in business continuously since 1887.


     A visit to John Boos & Co. is always fun. Their outlet store has great prices and you never know what will be in stock on any given visit. I have tried so hard to figure out a way to put a piece like the one above in my kitchen, and there just isn't a place for it. You may notice that my blog icon has the cake and mug sitting on my large round cutting board...from Boos of course. 


     Founder Conrad Boos harvested Sycamore from wooded areas, processed it at his sawmill, and then brought it to his blacksmith shop for finishing. He put the sycamore tree on three legs to absorb the shock of the smith’s hammer against the anvil. A local butcher saw it and wanted one for his meat market and the rest is history. 


The craftsmanship is wonderful in each and every piece.


     Famous chefs all over the country are now using Boos Butcher Blocks. If you pay attention to the Food Network you will see Rachael Ray, Bobby Flay, Paula Deen, Alton Brown, the Iron Chefs of Iron Chef America, Tyler Florence, Giada de Laurentiis, Mario Batali, and Emeril Lagasse are using them. Martha Stewart, Oprah's chef, Art Smith, and even the White House all have John Boos products in their kitchens as well. An area upscale restaurant not only uses them in their kitchen, the tables were all made by Boos.





     Now for the good part. You can have your own Boos Block. I bought you one! This is not a sponsored Giveaway. This Giveaway is open to all my followers in the U.S. and Canada. Just leave a comment here telling me you are interested in winning. If you happen to live outside of those places, please leave a comment and I will send you a little something too if you happen to win. I would love to send the prize out of the country, but it is just too heavy for the postage. The Giveaway ends May 27th at midnight EST. Good Luck!




I am joining Michael @ Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday
Please take a moment to visit her!

47 comments:

Barbara F. said...

Sue, this is so nice of you! I'd love to be entered! I'd love one of those tables in my kitchen, not sure one will fit :(. (You're my 'neighbor' at Foodie Friday. xo

mountain mama said...

oh, i LOVE giveaways! and...need a new cutting board! :)

thanks, sue!

Mary L said...

Great giveaway!! I enjoy your blog so much! Please put my name in the hat for the cutting board.
Thanks!

Mary L

Lynn said...

What a nice shop to visit with a great history, and such a fun give-away Sue! Thanks for the chance:@)

Red Couch Recipes said...

Growing up as your neighbor, from Wisconsin, I do think of Illinois as rich farmland and green (and back then pesky tollbooths when we went to Chicago:). I have never heard of these. Thanks for the chance to win a great cutting board. Joni

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Great giveaway - every kitchen needs at least one good cutting board!

Lori said...

I have always dreamed of owning a Boos cutting board. Please enter me into the giveaway.

Lori

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

That is so cool Sue....enter me please!
I grew up partly in Central Illinois and your description is right on!
Cindy

Haden News said...

I would love to win this Boos Cutting Board! What a beautiful board! Thanks for a chance at this great give-a-way.

Unknown said...

Awesome giveaway! Please enter me, I could really use this beautiful addition to my kitchen.

Cathy

Gypsy Heart said...

I'm all over this! As old as I am, I've never owned a quality cutting board. :-)

Thanks so much for the opportunity to win!
xo
Pat

Gypsy Heart said...

P.S. LOVE the design and colors of your blog update!!

Anonymous said...

I am definitely interested in winning a Boos Block :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!
theluckyladybug[at]gmail[dot]com

Ricki Treleaven said...

What a generous giveaway. Thanks so much, and I hope I win!!! My cutting board is so small. I could use a larger one!

Linda said...

Those butcher block islands are just beautiful...what a wonderful give away!

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Great Giveaway. Please put my name in the hat. I enjoyed your post and have not heard of Boos before.

Maria said...

Hi Sue!
Oh where have I been?
I just caught up on your latest posts... I love the tote you have pictured in the previous one... I will go visit... it looks very nicely made. I love to sew, but sometimes, it's nice to get a treat!
Oh thank you for the giveaway! The butcher block tables look so wonderful! Chris and I are going to redo our cabinets... I'll go visit this website for some ideas on a "floating island."
Thank you for your visits, Sue. I hope your springtime is going well. I know what you mean about the rain... others have so much worse.
I keep looking at Jason's weather in Austin. It's been consistently in the 80's and sunny. Just a little rain here and there. They could probably use some of ours ;o)
Have a sweet Sunday, Sue!
Happy belated Mother's Day! I love your tablescape for that day!
*xoxo
Maria

Julie@beingRUBY said...

What a thoughtful giveaway Sue.. of course I am too far away to enter.. but good luck to the others!!!

Hope you are having a lovely weekend. ciao xxx Julie

xinex said...

The butcher block looks very sturdy, Sue, and would love to win. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the safety of people in flood areas...Christine

bj said...

Well, how fun is this!! Thanks for telling us a little history on this company.
Would you please put my name in the pot? This is an awesome giveaway and very generous, indeed.

I've been doing my grandmother thing all week and will, into next week. A university graduation today and I. AM. POOPED. :))
XO bj

Deborah said...

Oh how happy I will be when I win this one! Thanks for offering just a wonderful giveaway!

Ramblin' Blonde said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ramblin' Blonde said...

I am interested!! I used to work at Williams-Sonoma and I love this line!

The Fajdich Times said...

Very informative post. I will have to keep my eyes open when watching the cooking shows. I would love to win this awsome giveaway:)

Jenny said...

An OUTLET????

AN OUTLET!!!!!

I am coming to visit.

Put the teakettle on.

Oh heck, forget the teakettle...we'll just go immediately to the store!

I've been drooling over these boards for years (sorry, probably TMI!) and today I find this lovely post!

Gosh, I'd love to win this!

Thanks for the fun chance.

dee dee said...

Sue,
Hmmmmm why I would like to win this fantastic prize.... well after all it is fantastic! This boards are beautiful and from the photos and the celeb indorsements how could one go wrong! Thanks for sharing the behind the scene info with us as well as the opportunity to win your excellent giveaway!
Dee Dee

Alison said...

Oh, what a nice giveaway! Even nicer that you thought of us! I love kitchen stuff (wish I had a bigger kitchen) and would love to add this block to my kitchen counter!

Kathleen said...

They do make excellent products. I would love a chance to win, and thank you!

Monica H said...

What a generous giveaway Sue! Thank you for offering us such a great board. I am now wanting one of those butcher block tables in my kitchen! No it won't fit, but I want it!

La said...

Hi Sue!

This is an amazing giveaway. Be assured, I will be checking out those cutting boards used by celebrity chefs.

Have a great day! La

Flo @ Butterfly Quilting said...

these look wonderful! What a generous give away! Yes, I would love to win this.

Anonymous said...

I want it something fierce,pick-me,pick-me!O' random one don't fell me now!!
Great giveaway!
~JO
LazyonLoblolly

Anonymous said...

What a perfect giveaway! Who can't use such a nice Boos cutting board? i know I sure could use one. :)
Tammy

Unknown said...

I love wooden boards! I would LOVE to win this great gift.

Low Tide High Style said...

What a wonderful giveaway Sue! I've had my eye on a Boo's board for a very long time! What a lovely giveaway, thanks for the chance to win!

Kat :)

Shellbelle said...

What an interesting post, I had no idea the history behind butcher blocks and you know I love learning new things!

Anyway, I'm glad I didn't miss this since you posted it the day I crushed my ankle (and you're right I am going stir crazy!). I would love to be entered in this giveaway! When I moved from CA to FL I gave my son the one my boyfriend had made for me out of guitar woods. It was SO cool and my son really liked it. Now sons don't usually get excited about our kitchen things, so I wanted to leave it with him.

Long story short, haven't found one to replace it yet in the last ten years. All mine were cheap and it shows, lol!

Good luck to everyone!!!!

And hugs to you!

Marigene said...

Gorgeous butcher blocks...yes, I am interested, who wouldn't be!

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh Sue Sweetie...
Please enter my name in this giveaway. You are going to laugh at me, but in 35 years of marriage, I have always wanted a cutting board, and never owned one. I am always cutting on a plate, and how nice it would be to have a real cutting board. I can't tell you the times I have cut my hand slicing onions and tomatoes in my hand. Oh yes I have. I know, I know. Not a good idea, but I do it anyway.

I love the little butcher block table with the green legs, is that not absolutely delightful? Oh Sue, we would have so much shopping together. I can't wait to see what your sweet Daddy is up to now. I know it is going to be GRAND.

Many hugs to you sweet one and SO much love, Sherry

Michelle said...

Very cool! Enjoying your blog. Great prize...thanks for the chance to win!

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

If you could see what I've been using as a cutting board, I'd win on the pity factor alone. Please throw my name into the hat. I'd love to win!

Pondside said...

They are gorgeous! I'd love to enter the giveaway - what a wonderful addition to any kitchen.

magi said...

You really have a gift for finding wonderful things!

Pizza Equipment For Sale

Blondie's Journal said...

I didn't see until today that you were having a giveaway, so here I am! I so need a new cutting board!! Throw my name in the hat!

XO,
Jane

The Charm of Home said...

Sue,
That is a wonderful idea for a giveaway! You are very generous. Boos are fantastic. I live nearby and have bought a few of these for friends, love them.
Sherry

Rettabug said...

Wow, what a wonderful give-away, Sue! I'd never heard of Boos boards before but they look BEAUTIFUL! Thank you for giving us a chance to win the one you bought. That is very generous of you & I would love to be entered. Thanks!

fondly,
Rett

Lyneen said...

How sweet of you to sponsor a wonderful giveaway.... What a great place to SHOP!!!!

You are right I see them on TV... we live in a semi rural area and the stores here just don't carry awesome products like Boos! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

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