Cherry is a soft wood unsuitable for use as a counter.

Using a separate butcher block on top of the countertop would be a better solution since wood isn't as durable as solid surfaces.

I think your kitchen sounds beautiful. Cherry is certainly durable as is walnut. Those are used all the time in kitchens. We have had walnut countertops going on five years now and I love them! If you google Jenka scale, it will give you the values of different woods.
We work with cherry and walnut a lot. Pine is a soft wood, but is also a popular material in kitchens.