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 For One” by Douglas Goff

Submitted to Contest #162

Another long night, riddled with thoughts and hazy dreams of his indiscretion. Greg sat up slowly in his bed and after a long yawn, reached over and slapped at the off button on the blaring alarm clock, finally silencing it. He had tried the music wakeup function, but had overslept with it on two separate occasions, causing him to be late for work. No, he was that type who needed to be pulled from his slumber with loud, mind-numbing noise.He stretched his arms, reminding him of his aches and pains. It didn't help that he wasn't sleeping very...

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“Bloodline” by Ian Matonti

Submitted to Contest #162

“That’s not what I’m saying at all.” “Then what are you saying?” “We should've stayed near the river.” “What river?” Lightning stretched and cracked above, illuminating the forest glen. Carl stared at his brother. He always did this. Saying things with supreme authority. It infuriated Carl. Thunder boomed. Loud enough to shake the ground. Carl felt it in his chest. Strangely, it calmed him. Knowing there is something more powerful than his brother Avery in the world. “Avery, are we lost?" "Does it matter if we're lost?” ...

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“Better be the Ravioli” by Hallett Sargent

Submitted to Contest #162

The Italian Kitchen has long been a cozy family restaurant both from the perspective of my relatives, who meet there once monthly, and the Greek family that runs the establishment. It is the kind of place where the food warms you from the inside out and what the pasta, sandwiches, pizza, salads, and desserts (leave room for dessert!) cannot quite displace from a rough day, the good company will finish off the task with admirable aplomb. These four walls know exactly what they are about.As I said, this is a family affair. Which means I am not...

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“A Night To Remember ” by Ian T. Smyth

Submitted to Contest #162

Thanksgiving was always Mary’s favourite time of the year. As she prepped the table for everyone’s arrival, she looked out the front window and took note of how beautiful the trees looked; all auburn and yellow. Smiling to herself, she laid the knives and forks down, tucked white napkins under the china plates, and carefully placed wine glasses at every seat. This was also the first Thanksgiving that her son’s girlfriend, Rosanne, would be joining them for. The oven beeped, and Mary took the turkey out. It smelled delici...

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“Fun the Nun.....” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #162

Fun the Nun wiped the mist from her mirror. Yes, wrinkle cream had definitely worked. Who was that old woman staring back at her? Her name was Deborah White, one of the town's church people. She was known in her ladies' circle as the devout one. She always sat in the back pew, singing loudly off key, never doing her knee mails. She couldn't really, she was a sixty plus daily wrap of fat. Her fat cells lingered, gentle, permeating, timeless and eternal. Deborah White knew exactly where her fat had originated. A solo lady, she sometimes hanke...

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“Insanely Fine Cuisine” by Tanya Humphreys

Submitted to Contest #162

Warning: a bit of gore and violenceDuncan Dupree, head chef of La Vie Le Calamar, drummed his fat fingers on his crossed upper arms and surveyed the chefs in training as they prepared Le Grande Repas Quatro, the feast for that evening. His snooty nose in the air, his little piggy eyes lasered onto Pierre as the young man added a dollop of truffle oil to his risotto.Dupree waddled over to the gently bubbling pot and inhaled the steam, dramatically closing his eyes and wafting the steam towards him with one hand, the other hand at the end...

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“Family Gathering” by Isabelle Okala

Submitted to Contest #162

Standing in front of the house I haven’t seen in 5 years, it feels like I never left. The front door is still painted that garish red from when I was a child and the exterior is a faded baby blue with white trim that hasn’t changed since the house was first built. The garden still looks as alive as ever, with hydrangeas, hibiscus trees, roses, and all kinds of bright plants that follow the perimeter of the house. The lawn is green, freshly mowed. Mom always was a little bit anal about how the outside of our house presented to the world, so I...

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“One Bad Apple” by Haru Mada

Submitted to Contest #162

Sensitive content: Mass mortality event Hunger clouded Chloe’s judgment when she took a bite out of a suspiciously brown apple, her dinner for the night. This was the only food in her home since she was too lazy to go grocery shopping earlier that day. The apple was certainly spoiled, but Chloe didn’t notice. She was hungry, so she took another bite. And another! Soon, all that was left was the core. Then, Chloe went to sleep. Chloe woke up the next morning to a rumbling stomach. Even after going to the bathroom, her insides ...

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“The Dinner Guests” by Paula Young

Submitted to Contest #162

The Dinner Guests “My best silverware, Spode china, French crystal goblets, and wine glasses…something was missing. Oh, silly me, the salad forks!” Dinner would be ready soon. Maria liked dishes that could be made ahead and put on hold. Then she could spend time with her guests. The company was the most essential part of any dinner party. Maria hurried upstairs to put the finishing touches on her make-up. Now she was ready. &...

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“Unconditional Love With A Side of Divorce ” by Dash Neultz

Submitted to Contest #162

“I want a divorce”, my husband boldly said as we sat across one another at our oversized dinner table. Moments before, I had just come from the kitchen with two piping hot dinner plates. The luscious, savory aromas whirling through my nose, leaving my mouth watering in anticipation for the first bite. I spent the last two hours creating a masterpiece; homemade chicken parmesan with a side of spaghetti marinara. I loved to cook, and chicken parmesan was not only my favorite, it was my specialty. A flawlessly breaded chicken breast cooked to p...

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“The Shrimp Incident of '92” by David Lastinger

Submitted to Contest #162

The Shrimp Incident of ‘92 It was the spring of 1992 in my third year of Hotel and Restaurant Management school when two other students and I were chosen for a weekend internship at a fancy resort on Lake Powell. Lake Powell is the largest lake in Arizona and is most famous for its Rainbow Bridge. There was no way that I could have known that this would forever change my life. After they had bought us breakfast and introduced us to the various department managers, we started our internship work. It was mostly shadowing the managers to se...

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“The Club” by C P

Submitted to Contest #162

Everybody is here for something. For something they have done or believed to have done. But nobody speaks about it here. ‘T’s just the way it is, inside the club it don’t matter anymore’, says Kaka. They call this a club. It reeks of mold and desiccated pee. But they love it here. Kaka says they’d rather be in this one than any other. ‘Best one’, he says, ‘with a friendly neighborhood. You are lucky. Otherwise, a pretty plump like you is gonna be a feast. They may covet you, alright, but sure as hell, they’ll not ride...

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“A Mother's Love ” by FabWritesStuff -

Submitted to Contest #162

Trigger Warning: Mentions of death and kidnapping On a cold October morning, a car sped up the driveway of 3235 Merryway Lane. It came to a screeching halt and a young woman leapt out and hurried towards the front door of the modest house. Adeline pushed open the door, knowing that it wouldn’t be locked, and called out in a loud voice as she stepped into the foyer. “Mama? Are you alright?” “I’m in here, darling.” A familiar voice called back. Adeline followed her mother’s voice to the living room and was surprised to find her mothe...

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“Tacos for her Birthday” by Samuel Morelos

Submitted to Contest #162

Warning: Contains blood, gore, and suicidal themesBlue sky above, woven like a cloth blanket to not only warm the body, but the mind and heart. It laid its comfort over my soul, spreading over my face to lure out a wide smile. And the sun, shrouded by the wall of high-rises to the right, still ensured that its presence was known by shining its light beyond the edges of the buildings, creating an angelic glow. I’m sure Laila felt the warmth too.She tightened one arm around my chest and pointed ahead. “Papá, it’s right there!”My gaze followed ...

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“Lemon cake” by F.O. Morier

Submitted to Contest #162

"That is the most astonishing thing I've ever heard." Miss Louise said indignantly. -"What?" Jean asked, "Have you never heard of flavoring cakes?" Jean set the aroma tubes down with an annoyed frown. Miss Louise had barged in for the umpteenth time in a fit of curiosity. Jean knew only too well what Miss Louise was fishing for. -"I'm not surprised you're confused, “the curious neighbor said in a patronizing tone. -"Oh?" Jean looked up for a moment, "And how is that?" -"That boy I've seen walking in and out of here with you for two weeks." M...

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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 For One” by Douglas Goff

“Bloodline” by Ian Matonti

“Better be the Ravioli” by Hallett Sargent

“A Night To Remember ” by Ian T. Smyth

“Fun the Nun.....” by Julie Grenness

“Insanely Fine Cuisine” by Tanya Humphreys

“Family Gathering” by Isabelle Okala

“One Bad Apple” by Haru Mada

“The Dinner Guests” by Paula Young

“Unconditional Love With A Side of Divorce ” by Dash Neultz

“The Shrimp Incident of '92” by David Lastinger

“The Club” by C P

“A Mother's Love ” by FabWritesStuff -

“Tacos for her Birthday” by Samuel Morelos

“Lemon cake” by F.O. Morier

🌟 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: