Charcuterie Board

In a quiet lakeside town where the sunsets seemed to linger just a little longer, Jim Smith spent his days in a workshop filled with the scent of sawdust and stories. One morning, while sipping coffee and watching the mist rise off the water, he spotted a slab of walnut with a streak of deep grain running through it—like a river frozen in wood.

That was the moment he knew he wasn’t just going to make a cutting board. He was going to make something special.

Jim worked slowly, letting the wood guide him. He sanded until the surface felt like silk, then carefully poured a thin vein of blue resin into a natural crack—his signature touch, reminding him of the lake outside. The board’s shape wasn’t standard either; he added soft curves to the ends, giving it both elegance and presence. It wasn’t just a cutting board; it was a conversation starter.

When it was done, Jim placed a glass of bourbon on top, took a deep breath, and smiled. It was perfect—solid, smooth, and uniquely his. That board would go on to host charcuterie spreads, midnight snacks, and quiet moments just like that one—with a drink in hand and a story behind every mark.

(Made by Jim Smith for In The Kitchen Contest)