Certain embodiments provide a method for preparing a biochemical product (e.g., phenol, catechol, or muconic acid, or a salt thereof). For example, such methods include contacting a recombinant host having two or more recombinant pathways with a fermentable carbon source and growing the recombinant cell for a time sufficient to synthesize the product. In certain embodiments, each recombinant pathway: 1) is capable of producing the same final biochemical product; 2) comprises at least one gene encoding a polypeptide; 3) is derived from a different endogenous metabolite as its immediate precursor; and 4) converges to the same final product or the same intermediate metabolite.