Good wood
Lin Babb doesn’t use a pattern to create his curvy cutting boards. The self-taught wood carver lets the wood and its grain determine the shape of his stand-apart work.
The craftsman: Babb started wood carving about the same time he graduated from high school. After earning bachelor's and master's degrees, he taught high school physical education for 36 years. Babb retired in 2001 from teaching. But not from carving.
The company: Linwood Handcrafted is based in Central City, La., near Baton Rouge. Babb's daughter Mattie suggested they go into business together. He would craft the cutting boards. She would develop the business and website. The family-owned company started in November.
The name: The artist/carpenter's middle name is Linwood. But he is called Lin.
The goods: One-of-a-kind, handcrafted cutting boards, cracker trays and serving trays ($75 to $300), depending on the size and shape. Also small spreading knives ($25). The boards take about eight hours to make.
Materials: Walnut, cherry and cypress. Walnut is a customer favorite.
Where to buy: www.linwoodco.com. For a look at Babb's process, watch his video on the site. Also find out how to care for your board.
Art on a platter
New Orleans native Doug Gitter is a passionate collector of contemporary American folk art, especially the colorful memory paintings of the late Clementine Hunter, a descendent of slaves. Gitter so admired Hunter’s work that he was inspired to design and create a collection of hand-painted serving platters and bowls.
The founder: Gitter, president of Gitter Gallery in New Orleans, attended the University of Texas at Austin and Loyola School of Law.
Inspiration: The artwork of Clementine Hunter, the beloved Louisiana artist whose paintings captured everyday life, such as cotton and pecan picking, on Melrose Plantation, where she lived and worked until her death in 1988 at age 101. Gitter wanted to take Hunter's artwork and make it affordable so that others could enjoy a piece of American history.
The goods: The Clementine Hunter ceramic collection ($120 to $180) features 15 pieces, each depicting one of her paintings. Platters and bowls have distinct shapes and a textured surface. They are also food, microwave and dishwasher safe. Also available: Clementine Hunter giclee canvas art ($250 to $300). A portion of each purchase goes to the Hunter estate.
Best-sellers: The Cotton Mural platter ($158), Cotton Picking bowl ($158) and A Day at Melrose Plantation platter ($148).
Other favorites: Pecan Picking plate ($148), Baptism on Cane River platter ($168) and the Cotton Vase ($148). Since each piece is hand-painted, no two are alike.
Big break: Baptism on Cane River platter was chosen as one of Oprah's Favorite Things in 2013.
Where to buy: www.gittergallery.com
Heavy metal
Popular with Southern chefs, campers and home cooks, the cast iron skillet can be used for everything from fried chicken and catfish to cornbread and cobbler. Many of us have the humble, hand-me-down black skillets (I have two that belonged to my mother). But if you don’t, order some new cast-iron cookware from Tennessee-based Lodge Manufacturing Co.
The company: Founded in 1896 by Joseph Lodge as the Blacklock Foundry in South Pittsburg, Tenn. After the foundry burned in 1906, the company was relocated about a mile and renamed Lodge Manufacturing Co. The family-owned-and-operated company is the only manufacturer of foundry-seasoned cast iron cookware in the United States.
The goods: More than 120 pieces of cast iron cookware, including skillets, griddles and Dutch ovens in various sizes, is made of equal parts pig iron and steel.
What's hot: The 12-inch cast iron skillet ($37).
Other favorites: The 10 1/4-inch skillet ($25), the 5-quart Dutch oven ($60) and Pro Grid Iron Reversible Griddle ($75), a favorite with campers and tailgaters.
Where to buy: www.lodgemfg.com
Best of the South
Do you have favorite finds from around the South that you give as gifts, buy for your home or rave about to friends? If so, please send your suggestions to: lljerkins@gmail.com. Also find more Southern-made products, featured in the AJC, at Southernfinds on Facebook or twitter@southernfinds1.
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