Eitan Bernath Takes A Stand On Butter Boards - Exclusive

To butter board or not to butter board is the question that has — for the last couple of weeks — been ferociously consuming the minds of TikTok creators, their followers, and the mainstream media outlets that can't help themselves from covering them. Forbes sternly warned that microbes may grow when butter gets smeared into a cutting board's evil lair (i.e., its cracks and crevices). The Guardian urged readers to whip the butter, not smear it, while tracing the trend's roots to Larousse — a much more cultured origin story than TikTok.

Meanwhile, TikTok creators carry on, unfazed in the face of microscopic health risks, (un)wittingly Larousse-inspired or not. Boards topped with figs, strawberries, honey, and goat cheese? Check. Boards topped with lemon zest and chili crisp? You got it. A board custom-made for Kourtney Kardashian? But of course.

It's worth noting that the woman allegedly responsible for TikTok's momentary obsession with the dish, Justine Doiron, has moved on to things like hot kale. Eitan Bernath — the culinary creator whose hard-won TikTok fame has led to things like making Forbes 30 Under 30, hanging out with Drew Barrymore (as her show's principal culinary creator), meeting the president, and publishing his first cookbook — missed the boat, if you can believe it. When Tasting Table asked him to take a stand on the phenomenon, he was more than happy to oblige. 

Butter board enthusiasts, relax. Eitan Bernath did not abstain from the butter board trend because they are beneath him — he just didn't have the time to do it right.

"I haven't actually tried, and because of my schedule, I occasionally miss trends because ... I can't film a video quick enough," Bernath spilled to Tasting Table in an exclusive interview. "I think I missed the boat with it, so I didn't do a video." 

But Bernath approves of the idea. "I'm personally into it. I love butter. I love butter on bread. I think it's fun," he affirmed. "People that are hating on it are ... No one's saying a butter board's going to replace a cheeseboard. But I'm like, 'Have fun with it.' People have been going with it. Also, if someone's enjoying it, great for them." 

While Bernath may never post his own butter board on TikTok, that doesn't mean he hasn't thought about the twist he'd give the trend. "I have a culinary expert on my team named Olivia, who's my partner in crime in the kitchen, and every week we do concept sessions," he shared. "We had such a good idea. I see a classy, very Jewishy one — a bagel instead of bread, with lox and everything-bagel seasoning and caramelized onions. Oh my god. ... I like that one. I think that's fun." 

You won't find a butter board recipe in Eitan Bernath's new cookbook, but you will find plenty of other gems. "Eitan Eats the World" is available now everywhere books are sold and on EitanEatsTheWorld.com. Keep up with Eitan's latest projects at EitanBernath.com.