The Table..

Difficult, Osmo Top Oil in natural finish is what I would use, it's food safe, microporous, breathable finish which does not crack, peel or flake, sprog proof finish.
https://www.osmouk.com/sitechaptern.cfm?bookid=Products&chapter=82&page=255#TopOil

Would lightly rub down table before applying though, & make table is free of dust.

 

Or a thinned (50/50) clear matt varnish.

Mr. HandyAndy - Really

 

Well done!

 

Bear in mind that water-based ('quick-drying') varnishes have far less yellowing effect on bare timber than oil-based. I think any oil-base varnish will significantly 'yellow' the timber. So I suspect that actual 'oils' ('Danish', linseed etc will also do so).

I think a clear water-based varnish (eg Dulux Diamond Hard) will have the least darkening effect. It'll have some effect, of course, probably like if the timber was wetted. But it won't add any more of that unpleasant (to me at least) yellowing of pine.

Satin finish probably most suitable too.

Very nice sanding job, by the way - it looks very good now

 

Many moons ago I made some open-tread staircases for ma bro using parana pine which had a lovely grain with amazing pink swathes through it. I wanted to keep it looking like that as much as possible and for it not to 'yellow'.

I read in a magazine (pre-Google days...) that a white-pigmented varnish by, I think, Rustins could be an answer, so bought a tin. It only had a hint of white in it, and was clearly designed to counter the yellowing effect.

Didn't really work, tbh, as it didn't enhance the grain at all and even slightly subdued it...

 

Wife works in a Decorating shop, not one of the sheds (15 years experience), and said water based is a must, Dulux Diamond Glaze clear varnish is what she said is the best even though it still will give it a tiny amount of colour. She said do a test underneath the table first!

Table looks lovely

 

As Kool says.

You cannot prevent some darkening - as it it were wet. But water-based's effect will be minimal. And I think you'll actually like it - enhanced grain but with no 'yellow'.