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It depends on the type of use you plan for your butcher-block top and the look you want.

If it is a statement piece and not intended for high use, almost any finish would work. General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Topcoat is a good choice. If you intend to prep or chop food General Finishes Butcher Block Oil should be applied.

It would depend on whether you plan to use the furniture outside or under the protection of a roof. Theoretically, both water and oil-based products could be used.

For example, you could "antique" wicker with thinned Gel Stain to pop up the color depth on an aging piece of natural wicker. However, Gel Stain is not exterior-rated and is very thick, making it cumbersome to apply and wipe off on a highly textured surface such as wicker.

GF has two products that would work well.

For non-professional finishers, we recommend using General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Topcoat.

You can reduce the glossiness of a sheen several ways.

1. Apply a flatter sheen over a glossier sheen, such as Satin over Semi-gloss. Be sure to observe proper dry times. If you are applying over an existing finish, be sure to prep sand and clean first. 
2. If using General Finishes Arm-R-Seal, you can intermix Satin and Semi-Gloss to create a sheen that will softly mute the glossiness.
3. Another option is to rub the surface down with 0000 steel wool and orange oil or any similar lubricant such as Butcher Block Oil.

MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) is tricky because there are several grades of MDF and the quality varies.

If you cannot determine the quality of the MDF, play it safe and use best practices. The concern is with the edges and ends. The core of MDF is compressed sawdust, glue and resins so when you apply paint to those areas it soaks right up.