Write a story where a character’s life completely changes over the course of a meal.

Posted in Adults on Oct 31, 2022

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✍️ 71 stories

“Dinner at Charlie's” by Michał Przywara

Submitted to Contest #162

When I’m done dumping you, I’m going to get trashed on mimosas made from real champagne and a bucket of your tears. That’s what you get for never listening to me. Yes, Miranda, we’re at Charlie’s Kitchen tonight. Yes, Miranda, I made reservations to your stupid favourite restaurant, even though I hate this overpriced garbage trough. It’s pretentious. I even looked that word up to make sure it’s the right word, and it is! Pretentious! What’s that, Miranda? You want to know what the occasion is? “It’s a surprise.” Bitch. Tonight is the night o...

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“Darker Than Red Velvet” by J.C. Lovero

Submitted to Contest #162

“Death by chocolate?” Dimitri asked.I sighed at the phone pressed against my cheek. “I’m afraid so. Activate ‘Quinn-is-a-jerk’ protocol.”“Text me the address.”#“Nice place, love,” Dimitri said. His head swiveled around the restaurant with sparkling eyes. Best friends for years, Dimitri was made for the cover of GQ. About six foot two, handsome in a winsome way, muscular, and tan. Born into money, Dimitri had blond hair that was meticulously cut and carefully combed. He was a striking figure, charismatic but mysterious. He had always bee...

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“The Poison Tree” by Rebecca Miles

Submitted to Contest #162

Trees are wondrous things, from their strong trunks to their delicate leaves. They feed from the sun and feel its warm rays far longer than we humans do, pausing under their broad branches, perhaps to shelter from the rain; perhaps to listen to the rustling of the leaves, another language, just as expressive as our own. Sometimes we try to capture what the tree means to us in words; such things as from little acorns, great oaks grow, perhaps your dad has told you that; or let your roots grow deep so your leaves can dance in the sun is a favo...

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“The Meal with Repercussions” by Hannah Barton

Submitted to Contest #162

It was the meal that would change everything in my life. I remember everything so very clearly, as if it were happening right this very minute. At the time, I thought it was saving my life, I needed sustenance so badly; I needed my thirst to be quenched like nothing I'd ever needed before in my life. Unfortunately, the meal was but a temporary and fleeting happiness, for the sadness and misery it bore lasts a lifetime. I remember my brother seating me at a large, old table. The ornate decorations on it were beautiful, I'm sure, but I was t...

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“Just a Dinner” by Mustang Patty

Submitted to Contest #162

When Richard mentioned going out for dinner on Friday, Leslie was more surprised than excited. Richard rarely made any plans for the two of them. She couldn’t remember the last time that he’d spontaneously suggested anything. Their marriage was in a place her mother warned about the night before the wedding. Mom said that marriage wasn’t a bed of roses, and there would be times when life was stale. But Leslie believed with all her heart that her marriage would be different. But that was fifteen years ago. Life threw them a lot of curve b...

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“Last meal.” by Mel Dingwall

Submitted to Contest #162

Trigger warning: Swearing. Descriptions of violence, death, mention of suicide and the end of the world.I hadn’t even finished my breakfast at the diner when my whole life, the whole world, changed. Sometimes I wonder if I did actually die that day and the past twelve months have been my own personal hell. Especially on days like this. When the screaming goes silent and there’s just that clicking. That incessant, aggravating clicking. I’m not gonna miss that.Man, I would give everything, every last thing I have, to relive one single moment o...

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“Family Dinner” by Theresa Fox Turner

Submitted to Contest #162

"Hey, Mom! What's for dinner?" Beatrice kicked off her shoes, pulled off her backpack, and tossed them towards a corner of the mudroom. She padded through their family room into the kitchen."Mom? I'm home. School was so…" Her words trailed off as she walked into an empty kitchen. Usually, her mother, Sunny, would be there at the large island prepping dinner, or standing at the stove stirring pots that bubbled or sizzled.Beatrice never knew what to expect with her mother's adventurous palate and endless online recipe scrolling. Today the stov...

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“The Gift ” by Cynthia Prokarym (Scott)

Submitted to Contest #162

One more ring and the call would've gone to voice-mail. Perhaps I should've let it go, but it was my boss.I'm her right hand, but also her number one flunky.Being the assistant manager isn't all its cracked up to be, especially at this particular convenience store, but at least I don't have to drive far to work. It's only a half mile from our house. The back and forth there is sometimes unbearably different from my life at home with my wife. Susan is the one who restores my heart when I've lost hope in the world.As I pick up the phone, I bar...

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“The Misery in El Rábano” by Maddie Culwell

Submitted to Contest #162

Luis grabbed the menu the waiter had placed in front of him. His week had been particularly hard and he had been looking forward to this dinner for a long time. He was at his favorite restaurant, El Rábano, the only place in Huntsville where he could get an authentic Mexican dish that wasn’t sold out of a truck or some woman’s apartment. He didn’t get to come to El Rábano often; his wife, Taylor, was from a highly anglicized suburban neighborhood, and she had been raised to believe that Mexican food was the food of poverty. Luis had explain...

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“Tap, Tap, Tapping” by Elliot Moss

Submitted to Contest #162

I sat in the hard chair, my eyes staring straight forward. His nails tap, tap, tapped against the table. That's what I could focus on. The nails. Almond shaped and constantly Tap Tap Tapping. They were long and almost elegant. Almost, if he wasn't a terrifying skeleton of a man. Sweat began to pool against my temple. Cool, sticky sweat that clung to your body and your soul. The room was growing hotter, I swore, but he seemed unphased as his beady eyes fluttered between my eyes and what was in front of me. A platter ...

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“Flavored People” by Jarrel Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #162

tw: dismembered body parts He kept his gun pointed at her even as they sat across from each other at his little wooden table in his little apartment living room. He held his weapon against the table, between his wine glass and a single lit candle centerpiece. “I promise you,” she said, “I won’t tell a soul if you let me go right now. Not the cops. Not my friends. Not even my deaf grandma.” A little old man shuffled toward them holding the handles of a silver serving tray. He transferred in front of each of them a bowl of steaming soup. “Th...

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“Dinner in the Looking Glass.” by Mary McClarey

Submitted to Contest #162

I’m not too impressed when he snaps at the waiter, asking for our order and telling no one in particular, but maybe me, that it has been a long day. He never asked what I wanted, just told the poor man one mussels, one prawn cocktail, two Dover soles and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. Looking right and left without moving my head I see all these gentle diners, all gently conversing, or gently enjoying overhearing other’s conversing. Well dressed, immaculately dressed, but none of them in unseasonably light chiffon. Not like me. My wee dress lo...

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“01001001 ” by Ann Walker

Submitted to Contest #162

There’s no real use for stories or creativity anymore. I suppose my urge to write this down is my last human instinct for self preservation. I want to believe no one wanted this end for our world. I’ve been scrunched up in this small room for hours trying to find the words to describe what has happened last month. My husband and I decided to go out tonight for our twentieth wedding anniversary. We have been fans of this absolutely delicious restaurant, ‘The Nightingale’, since our first date together. Henry and I have witnessed ...

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“Dinner at Carelli's” by Ron Smith

Submitted to Contest #162

It was a Sunday evening, and Noah Barton was shaking like a leaf. He was wondering how he could sound confident on a phone call while his voice had such a quiver to it. But after all these years, he had finally decided he would call up Betsy Davis and ask her for a date. He had had a crush…no…he had ‘loved’ the cute little blonde since sixth grade. And now, it was the spring semester of their senior year. Realizing that time for a high school courtship was running very short, he had mustered enough courage to call an...

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“Frank's Third Gift” by Daniel Rains

Submitted to Contest #162

CW: Violence, descriptions of murder scenes, adult situation (suggested not described), suicide. I plop into my chair behind a plate of Belgian waffles flooded with whipped cream and strawberry. After taking in the sweet aromas, I glance up at the beautiful blond on the other side of the room. Fifteen years of marriage brought the same number of special birthday breakfasts. Like every year, her smile suggests she enjoys giving this gift as much as I enjoy receiving it. Despite my extra-marital activities, I still treasure her more than ...

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Write a story where a character’s life completely changes over the course of a meal.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 71 stories

“Dinner at Charlie's” by Michał Przywara

“Darker Than Red Velvet” by J.C. Lovero

“The Poison Tree” by Rebecca Miles

“The Meal with Repercussions” by Hannah Barton

“Just a Dinner” by Mustang Patty

“Last meal.” by Mel Dingwall

“Family Dinner” by Theresa Fox Turner

“The Gift ” by Cynthia Prokarym (Scott)

“The Misery in El Rábano” by Maddie Culwell

“Tap, Tap, Tapping” by Elliot Moss

“Flavored People” by Jarrel Jefferson

“Dinner in the Looking Glass.” by Mary McClarey

“01001001 ” by Ann Walker

“Dinner at Carelli's” by Ron Smith

“Frank's Third Gift” by Daniel Rains

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with someone looking at a restaurant menu.

Write about a character whose love language is making food for others.

Write a story in which too many cooks spoil the broth — literally or metaphorically.

Start your story with one character trying to convince another that they make the best grilled cheese in the world.

Contest #162

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

234

Contest entries

97

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: