Epoxy, West or any other common brand, cannot tolerate high temperaturees. Most of it starts to get soft at about 140°-150°F. Most cedars are too soft for a decent work surface so I'd take that off the program, too. They do use epoxy on certain counter top materials but it's mostly used sparingly to fill joints.
I haven't seen a butchers table for many decades but, if I'm not mistaken, real butcher block is made from hard maple, The blocks are stood on end and the rows are bolted together.

: A friend of mine wants to do a cedar strip counter top in his
: kitchen. He knows that I enjoy this forum for all the useful
: info that is brought here every day so he asked me if I could
: ask a few questions.

: The type of counter is typically called a butcher block counter and
: is made of hardwoods so no sealer is used (i believe) he wants
: to do cedar with pine accent strips 3/4 x 3/4 mounted on a sheet
: of 3/4 ply and then burried in west 105/207.

: Questions... should a layer of cloth be used under the epoxy?
: will the epoxy be toxic if you put food on it after full cure?
: how durable will the epoxy be used like this?
: should a clear coat be used as there will be no direct sunlight but
: still...?

: Any thoughts would be great as this is just a theory and most of
: the problems with it have probably not even been thought of yet.

: Thanks
: Dave