We would recommend using quartz worksurfaces as these are much more hardwearing and stain resistant and you get a much broader choice of finishes and colours. As quartz is manmade you can easily match tiles and splashbacks and you can also have matching quartz splashbacks as an option. Some quartz surfaces also include a built in anti-bacterial protection. We know Silestone have developed a formula for this.

Another vote for Dekton and Sileston Quartz worktops, use them all the time in our projects as so much more forgiving and low maintenance than granite or marble. Agree that Corian is a good option if you have a large island to prevent visible joins, whilst it has other benefits you do need to be very careful when it comes to heat. Vast range of colours and textures in all types nowadays so the type of material shouldn't limit the effect you want to achieve - be that traditional or contemporary. I am always a big advocate that a worktop is an investment, there is no point spending a large sum on a beautiful quality kitchen and then finishing it off with a worktop that won't stand up to time as well as the rest of the room or cheapen the look - I always recommend to go for the best you can afford.

We are looking for the opinions of Worktop fitters in regards to the best material to work with and fit ?

You may be able to get the maple from here:- silhardwoods however, you'll need a carpenter to biscuit the boards together to make the depth. You can finish with oil, it will sink in to the wood and give a very light sheen. Test all oils on an off cut as all will colour the wood, even the clear ones.