Ah, just realised there were more posts than I thought when I wrote this so it's irrelevant. Can't seem to delete it though, but have managed to edit by putting this para in. Oh well.
I use briwax to get a pleasing lustre on turned items that are not going to be handled much but its very soft. I have used microcrystalline wax applied over briwax for things that get a bit more handling but wouldn't recommend it for a kitchen worktop.
My beech worktops were oiled when I put them in, then again after a week, then a month then left for a few years before sanding back and repeating. They don't like standing water, I get odd stains where wet things have stood for a while, like a damp bottomed bowl overnight. I've used acrylic varnishes on other things like coffee tables with good results.
It's a trade off. Oil is less durable but dead easy to apply and to fix, but were I to do the kitchen now I would probably go with one of the modern satin finishes mentioned above.
We stayed in a holiday cottage a year ago which had really high gloss finish on wooden worktops. Might have been epoxy. It's a matter of personal taste but after the initial "wow" it was just too much shine and reflection for me.
