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

“Fish and Chips” by Pene Worth

Submitted to Contest #162

Fish and Chips My life took a U turn at the tender age of six. A memory of alarm, followed by change. Punctuated by crispy battered deep fried fish. I know my early years were comfortable, but I recall a sense of claustrophobia. I was smothered in love. My every need was met, every desire catered for. Momma was my world, and I was hers. I was too young then to see what I can from an adult perspective. I did not run freely with the other kids in the park, or go on playdates. We never had visitors, we never visited any other friends ...

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“I Won The Battle” by Valerie Preston

Submitted to Contest #162

She was pale and still thin. Her soft skin looked translucent in the dim lightning and she signed deeply as she bent her head to look at the menu. “Bruschetta” she said out loud “now that sounds good. It says two pieces and I wonder how big they are? How about the soup? The bowl could be a large one? I don’t have to have a starter. Let’s see what the mains are?” PASTA jumped out at her from the page. ‘No way’ she thought. ‘I could have the fish, which would be light, with the salad. I’ll ask how big the serves are’. “Excuse me” she said to a...

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“It started with a taste of TORTELLNI” by Jessica Stringile

Submitted to Contest #162

For as long as she could remember, a touch, a smell, a feel, a sound, the senses always brought her back to her roots and transported her to another world, a world she felt happiest and at her best. Angelica never thought she would feel this way just from a simple look of HIM, a simple taste was all she needed to feel happiness thriving through her veins, it was truly an amazing feeling and she needed it, she wanted it. Like any other day, Angelica went to work and did what she does best TEACH. Loving what she does, lunch time came along and...

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“The Vanishing ” by Andrea Doig

Submitted to Contest #162

“And then, pale and defeated, he suddenly looked up and swept his gaze over the congregation. Through the waves of shock, he found me – the calm in his storm. Our eyes locked and then his lit up with recognition and renewed determination.”Sitting in our favourite lunch venue, I take a sip of my bitterly strong cappuccino and melt further into my comfortable seat. This is no ordinary restaurant - it is the backdrop of the theatre of my life and has always been a reliable source of comfort and solace - even on my darkest days.This was als...

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“Sam Tings Family Restaurant” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #162

Sam Ting’s Family Restaurant I told my daughter I didn’t want to cause any awkward moments at the family Christmas dinner so I’d booked a week in Hawaii for the holidays. It’s better to be lonely in Waikiki than in my newly rented, snow-bound bachelor apartment in Denver. During the drive to International Airport, Haley and I avoided discussing the looming divorce. I wanted to explain what was going on, but how could I? Ever since she and my son, Jack, Jr. went off to college their mom, Darlene, and I had been just two people with nothing...

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“Vitalité Des Saveurs” by Karen C

Submitted to Contest #162

Sean and Andrea Carmine stepped from the comfort of the warm limousine out into the frigid December air.They were a handsome couple, both in their thirties. She wore a form-fitting burgundy dress and three-inch stiletto heels; he was attired in a modern-fit dark charcoal suit with a shawl lapel.As they walked quickly from the dark street to the restaurant, arm in arm, Sean glanced at his wife. Her brown hair was perfectly smooth, coiffed into an elegant twist at the crown of her head. The multi-strand black diamond necklace lay stark on her ...

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“The Decision” by Janni Roberts

Submitted to Contest #162

The Decision Anna walked to the back of the cafe and sat down in the last booth. She wasn’t sure why she chose that booth. Maybe she thought she was going to need privacy or maybe she just wanted a clear view of the entrance doors so that she could prepare herself. She wasn’t sure but the last booth made her feel a little safer. Within a minute, Sally showed up at her table with a pot of hot coffee in her hand. Sally looked middle-aged and tired. Her bleach blonde hair was sitting on the top of her head in a messy bun. She had a full fa...

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“And Then There Was One” by Lorilyn Roberts

Submitted to Contest #162

When Elon began college his freshman year, Friedrich Nietzsche was one of his heroes. In fact, at one time, Elon thought Nietzsche was a genius—until he read what he said about free will. Elon reached a crisis point as a philosophy student when he couldn’t accept the beliefs of those he once admired. The 20-year-old believed that humans were free to make choices. He did not think that everything he accomplished in life was the result of some ethereal force that might be capricious or fickle. “Free will must exist,” Elon argued with his ...

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“Holofernes” by Brittany W.

Submitted to Contest #162

[Contains strong language.] When Michael finds Jude, she is cloaked in red from head to toe. Not in clothing—she wears what was pure white negligee, edged in chantilly lace—but in something more visceral. Red cakes nearly her entire body, stopping at an almost clean break at her ankles. There is a smudge on her right foot and on her left, a thin, single line trickling toward the bridge. He focuses on that line, that lonesome, dark red tributary, as he lowers her into the tub. The water blossoms into petals of pink. Michael’...

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“Make-Up” by Caroline Warui

Submitted to Contest #162

She seemed to waft in, like the exotic perfume that enveloped her, alerting us to her presence even before she got into the room.Dainty steps.... dainty steps.....The wait staff leapt to attention guiding her through an arc to an inner secluded space, where minutes ago they had declined to seat us.Large earrings dangled under a honey-blonde asymmetrical bob, as she arranged herself delicately onto the seat held out to her. Her burgundy lips pursed while she regarded the hovering waiter, reading the specials of the day, then with french-tippe...

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“Caught Marinara Handed ” by Charity Jones

Submitted to Contest #162

I never really liked spaghetti, or meatballs for that matter. Spaghetti and meatballs, it’s just such a cliché combination. Then again, I am a cliché guy-I wear a suit to work and I come home to an empty apartment. The type of guy who can barely speak to women unless it’s Jill from Advertising because she reminds him of mom-but that's besides the point. The point is work had consumed me so much that I had yet again failed to take care of myself and so here I was facing all my least favorite clichés. How does one perfect the art of sp...

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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

“Fish and Chips” by Pene Worth

“I Won The Battle” by Valerie Preston

“It started with a taste of TORTELLNI” by Jessica Stringile

“The Vanishing ” by Andrea Doig

“Sam Tings Family Restaurant” by Webb Johnson

“Vitalité Des Saveurs” by Karen C

“The Decision” by Janni Roberts

“And Then There Was One” by Lorilyn Roberts

“Holofernes” by Brittany W.

“Make-Up” by Caroline Warui

“Caught Marinara Handed ” by Charity Jones

🌟 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: