Puzzle Serving Tray

In a sunny little workshop filled with the smell of sawdust and coffee, Leo Martins was working on something new. He loved puzzles and he loved making things for the kitchen, so one day he thought—what if a serving tray could be both?

He sketched out a design where the tray wasn’t just one piece, but many—small wooden sections that fit perfectly together like a jigsaw puzzle. There was a space for crackers, another for cheese, one for fruit, and even a little corner for chocolate (because every tray needs a sweet spot). Each piece had smooth edges and a little notch, so it could lock into the others just right.

After hours of cutting, sanding, and fitting the pieces like a game of Tetris, the tray was finished. Leo gave it to his niece, Maya, who loved hosting backyard picnics with her friends.

At her next picnic, Maya brought out the tray in pieces and started putting it together on the blanket. Her friends gathered around, curious.

"Wait… it’s a puzzle?" one asked.

Maya grinned. "Yep—and when it's done, it holds snacks!"

Everyone joined in, clicking the pieces into place, laughing when they got it wrong, and cheering when it finally fit. When the last piece snapped in, it was like magic—the tray was full, beautiful, and ready to eat from.

From that day on, the puzzle tray wasn’t just a way to serve snacks. It was the start of fun, laughter, and a new little tradition: snack time, puzzle first.

(Made by David Allan for In The Kitchen Contest)