After making a career pivot from head chef of Vagabond to construction work, Mikael Valentin was asked to make a cutting board by a friend. What initially started as a single cutting board project eventually became a full-scale business, Baby Tree Woodworks.
Since 2021, Baby Tree Woodworks has been making one-of-a-kind wood cutting boards, serving trays, bread knives and more. Valentin’s culinary background gave him a deep appreciation for quality kitchenware, crafting functional pieces that are beautiful and made to last.
By using different types of lumber and wood grains, Valentin creates a patterned, multi-coloured effect in his pieces. The wood, which includes options like cherry, maple and oak, is often arranged in a tessellated pattern to highlight the lumber’s natural finish and colour. Along with kitchenware, Baby Tree Woodworks also makes home decor items like clipboards, coasters and propagation stations for herb growing.
Depending on the season, Valentin typically makes 15 to 30 cutting boards a week from his garage.
“I named the company after my son, actually, it’s something that I wanted to grow with him,” says Valentin. “It just reminds me that I’m in the garage making these boards because I’m going to create a better future for my son.”
