A soft-sided insulated container assembly has a generally box-shaped form. The lid of the box defines a work surface on which to place objects such as foodstuffs and beverages. The work surface may be formed in a substantially rigid molded stiffener member, and may be divided into sub-regions with raised retainers to discourage sliding of objects where not precisely level. It may have an upstanding peripheral retainer. The work surface may be sunken relative to the periphery of the lid assembly.