If you’ve ever been down to the Saturday Summer Farmer’s Market at Pepper Place, then you understand the magic that exists there. Hundreds of farmers and local craftsmen gather once a week to peddle their wares for all to see. There are fresh veggies, hand crafted knickknacks, and a plethora of random items available for purchase.

Earlier this week, I had the good fortune of a sit down with Justin Brown and Brian Green, the two guys behind a newly formed company, named interestingly enough, Brown and Green. Brown and Green is a product and furniture design company, which is the culmination of two architectural minds focusing their love for cooking, eating, drinking and design into the products they create. Their current offering at the Market consists of elegant hand made end grain cutting boards, but will eventually feature a full line of hand made furniture and kitchen accessories.

You’ve got to actually lay your hands on these cutting boards to truly appreciate them. Only after you pick one up can you fully appreciate the amount of thought and expert craftsmanship that has been dedicated to each piece. Brian & Justin go out of their way to select only the best local hard woods for use in these boards, and let me tell you, their meticulous selection process has made all the difference.

The product they’ve created will last a lifetime. These cutting boards will be the item in your kitchen that your children and grandchildren always remember, much like that well seasoned corn bread pan my grandmother has been using for ages.  Unlike a large number of cutting boards, these cutting boards are “end grain” which means the board is “self healing’, easy on your cutlery, and naturally resistant of bacteria growth. Boards like these have been trusted by chefs, butchers, and household cooks for centuries.

If you find yourself with a little bit of spare time this on a Saturday morning, come down to the Pepper Place Farmers market and meet the men behind Brown and Green. As you talk to them, you’ll notice the same thing I noticed: these guys are crazy about the product they’ve created and they love what they do. If you feel so inclined, you could walk away with your very own Brown and Green cutting board. Their boards are priced between $50 and $250 for the pieces they have on display, however, they’re also game to create custom sizes and even whole counter tops! Even if you’re just in the browsing mood come check out what they have to offer. Like I said, you’ve got to put your hands on these things to see what I mean.

We’ll see you at the market!

Justin Brown and Brian Green are old college buddies who, through a stroke of good luck, now have the chance to work together. They both graduated from the University of Tennessee with degrees in Architecture and Design. They’ve worked all over the country, but they both agree, “there’s no where like the South”.

-AS