I first began to prep vegetables and meat on my grandmother's chopping board 30 years ago, and since then I've been using that same board every day. It must be about 80 years old by now. Grandma's type of board used to be standard in most kitchens and was simply known as a 'chopping board' or other such generic name.
In 2012 I set about producing this type of board once again at joinery works Timmerfabriek Visser in Zaandam. I machined and assembled my first series of DamPlanks with the help of this company's technology and equipment. Meanwhile the third series is in production. I machine the timber in Zaandam and have the components assembled with the help of Alphen-aan-den-Rijn detention centre facilities. I finish off every DamPlank myself by hand, giving each a final sanding before sealing it with several coats of grapeseed oil.
The features that distinguish the DamPlank from other chopping boards are its three vertical sidepieces and its trapezium form.
The advantages of this design are:
The trapezium shape of the DamPlank gives you the space you need to chop your veg and slide it all off in one go. The grip slots make it simple to carry your DamPlank with coffee, tea, lunch or wine plus accompaniments to your table, garden or balcony. The DamPlank doubles up as a serving tray and a slicing surface for cheese, fruit, sausage or cake. It's ideal for breakfast in bed, lunch on a road trip, or a picnic.
Pallarès Solsona knives are made in Catalonia, Spain. They are razor-sharp and superbly comfortable to handle.
I chose the name DamPlank because - like any dam - it prevents its contents from spilling, keeps them under control. But also because it was my Amsterdam Grandma's original chopping board, and I was keen to give one to each of my Amsterdam children when they finally left home. But boards like these were nowhere to be found.
Now they are!
The DamPlank is available online from the web shop on this website as well as either online or over the counter at the
webshop of this website.
I regularly set up a stall with DamPlanks and Pallares Solsona kitchen knives at street or regional
markets.
And you can follow DamPlank on
Facebook and Instagram damplank_amsterdam