Nice looking kitchen. Lots of special features. I made a bedroom set from hickory and working with it is a learning experience. You have to pay close attention to the grain and sometime route from each side to prevent tear out. Carbide cutters help as HSS cutters will dull too quickly. I found that multiple passes with very light cuts produced less tear out. If I did see any tear out I could climb cut that area and eliminate the tear out on the next pass.

You need a well tuned saw and good feed techniques to prevent burn marks.

I love the smell in the shop after working with hickory all day.