It’s impossible to create quality products without quality materials, which is why our makers are so considerate about the materials (or ingredients) they use. For example, are they sustainable, durable, high-quality, innovative, organic, renewable, beautiful, functional, time-tested, healthy, delicious, or locally sourced? For this series we asked our Bay Area Made companies to tell us about the materials they use and why. Because materials matter!
JBrody & Co. is a husband and wife owned woodworking business located in the San Francisco East Bay. We specialize in handcrafted furniture, wooden kitchenware, and home decor, focusing on sustainability by using American hardwoods and ensuring that all products are plastic-free.
Joseph Brody learned woodworking at an early age from his grandfather and went on to study under some of the most talented traditional woodworkers of our time before beginning his own family business. We are proud that three generations of knowledge go into every item we produce.
Our utensils are perfect for professional and amateur chefs alike, carved from single pieces of premium American Walnut. Free from harmful chemicals, durable and long lasting, sure to remain a kitchen staple for years to come. Finished with an all-natural oil and wax mixture.
Why Walnut? My wife loves to cook and after trying nearly every variety of wood for our utensils, Walnut passed the dual tests of durability and beauty above and beyond all others. Also, we make furniture out of Walnut, and in the process generate lots of small scrap pieces, so utensils are the perfect way to utilize all this great material instead of it going to waste or being burned and releasing carbon into the atmosphere.
Recently there has been a lot of press around the toxicity of black plastic cookware and how it leeches into the food as you cook, so we’ve seen a greater awareness of returning to natural materials such as wood. When you think about it, it’s strange that people are trying to be healthy and buy organic food at a local farmer’s market. Then they cook all of it with a toxic spatula or spoon! It’s nice to make a product that not only improves the health of our customers, but also is durable and the celebrates the traditional craft we’ve devoted our lives to preserving.
The Lunar Table is our most popular furniture collection. It’s available in solid Walnut or White Oak in a variety of sizes, including custom. It’s a staple for Bay Area interior designers and is suitable for both residential and commercial spaces.
View the JBrody & Co. profile
