Quickest way to seal pine kitchen benchtop

You can use a two-part epoxy or a resin finish, but keep in mind that whatever you use needs to be food safe in the kitchen. Pine is not the most durable of woods and requires some kind of sealant to make it food safe. My concern would be for safety and durability rather than speed.

I did it with my pine floor in 8 hours with clear spray paint. I just kept straying till it was clear and shiny and very much as thick as I wanted. As it wasn't the only bathroom in the house I sat a heater so that it pointed at the floor. Turned on the bathroom fan and LEFT it alone for 8 hours under a heated condition on a warm day anyways.. Heat, ventilation, lots of cans of clear spray paint I had a BEAUTIFUL pine wood floor.. Sorry I don't have pictures anymore.

I have never used five coats on a project but you definitely need the 24 hours in between coats, there is no faster way to cure it

I would use block oil. Same stuff they use to condition chopping blocks. Follow the instructions.

I use at Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane on my projects. Dries within 1 to 2 hours. Lightly sand and recoat when dry. Apply at least three coats on unfinished wood and two coats on surfaces already finished. After final coat, allow 24 hours before normal use. There are other brands out there also, but I am a fan of Minwax.

Thank you. I will see if there is an Australian version of Minwax.