A method of chopping or cutting a food item on a cutting board which involves configuring and holding a flexible cutting board in a U-shaped configuration and chopping or cutting a food item in the bottom of the U-shaped configuration. Particles of the food item that would otherwise traject off a flat cutting board are contained between the side walls of the U-shaped configuration of the flexible cutting board and un-chopped and un-cut pieces of the food item fall downward into the bottom of the U-shaped configuration of the flexible cutting board. Also provided is the combination of a flexible cutting board and a cutting board holder that receives and holds a flexible cutting board in the U-shaped configuration.