Reply by Waldschrat

For the front you can use what ever wood you like, or even veneered panels… it really does not matter. But if you are worried about smells from different spices and such soaking into the wood then, use Beech. Its used often in things related with food storage here because somehow it has a natural resistance to taking on odors.

as well, but not related to the wood question:

These kind of cabinets are common here because of the small kitchen sizes and normally they are built, when not out of solid wood, of veneered press board and with wire or metal shelving pieces to hold everything… you could probably even order the insides and hardware from IKEA, if you wanted to get cheaper, this might even be easier because they probably have a display model on the floor somewhere. whereas by Häfele, you have to have the catalog, and a lot of people do not have one sitting at home.

-- Nicholas, Cabinet/Furniture Maker, Blue Hill, Maine