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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#162: Bon Appétit

With National Tofu Day, International Bacon Day, Cheese Pizza Day and World Salami Day (I promise I’m not making these up) coming up in the next 7 days, it’s only fitting that this week's prompts take inspiration from one of our greatest sources of happiness — food.

From being barely nibbled on over a first date, to being wholesomely prepared and wolfed down at a family gathering, or shared between friends meeting for the first time in years, food sits right at the heart of our cultures, relationships, and memories. So, time to dish out your most delicious story — after all, some of the best ones are told over a plate of food!

This week's prompts

Start your story with someone looking at a restaurant menu.

Middle School – 80 stories

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

Adults – 37 stories

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

Adults – 71 stories

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

Adults – 10 stories

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

Middle School – 36 stories

Stories

“To Die For” by Zoë Page

Submitted to Contest #162

Jim’s life relied on cheese. * He woke up this morning like usual, trudged downstairs, made himself a cup of coffee to jet-start his brain, and leant lazily on the counter, sipping slowly. He hummed a perfect beat late to the familiar wake-up call of the Uber Eats advert and dreamily mused to himself about the shopping order that would arrive soon at his doorstep. He’d have the ingredients to chicken alfredo, and he’d tell himself he’d finally make it, until he found himself in the armchair at nine at night having fallen asleep five hours ag...

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“Grilled Cheese Tastes Just the Same” by Ashley Comstock

Submitted to Contest #162

“I’m telling you, Hun, your grilled cheese is the best I’ve ever had!” Paul’s voice sounds syrupy-sweet. “I mean, God! What cheeses are you even using? It couldn’t possibly be just American cheese slices.” I can’t tell if I want to giggle or gag. He’s being too kind about such a simple sandwich. I want to accept the kind words, but I feel like he’s hiding behind niceties. “It’s just American cheese… I used butter to fry it on the pan,” I answered flatly. He continues to rave about this plain grilled cheese. I didn’t even make ...

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“Cheese of Gold to Win My Soul” by Ava Blair

Submitted to Contest #162

"You know what? I'll make you a bet. I can make the best grilled cheese in the world. Win-win for you - at worst you get the best grilled cheese you'll ever eat, and if I lose, you can have my soul." "Deal," said Satan, snapping his fingers to conjure a burning scroll that flamed up into a puff of smoke once I scrawled my name. I hadn't really expected him to accept, and my palms were sweaty as I headed to the bakery-deli to gather supplies while Satan sat at home menacingly tapping his fingers on my kitchen table. Baguette, soft b...

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“The Big Grilled Cheese” by Zach Martz

Submitted to Contest #162

Tony Abbott was having fun telling his story. “So I told her, ‘Rebecca, Sweetheart, I may not be the best man in bed, but I sure as hell can make a yummy grilled cheese sandwich!’ And the look in her eyes suggested that she didn’t believe me. So I put my pants on, turned off the dirty movie and marched to the kitchen to prove her wrong.” Rick Smalls shook his head with a mixture of disgust and glee. “Tony, It’s admirable that you’re willing to own your shortcomings in the sack, but you cannot compete with me in the department of sandwich c...

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“Grilled Cheese Distraction” by Traci Johnson

Submitted to Contest #162

Grilled Cheese Distraction by: Traci L. Johnson "I will bet you twenty bucks, right here and now, that I can make a better grilled cheese sandwich than you!" He paused as he searched my face trying to connect what I had just said to his own prior declaration: He was home from school. I could tell my exclamation had puzzled him, by the confusion in his eyes and he appeared slightly dejected. It was almost as if he felt I had just dismissed his hurt feelings; leaving him feeling totally unvalidated in his emotional...

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“Mel’s Diner” by Anthony Beska

Submitted to Contest #162

Mel’s Diner Carrie lays longways across her couch, feet up on the armrest. After finally finishing her third double in a row in retail Hell, she wanted nothing more than to unwind on the couch. To doze off watching awful cable TV. Her eyelids grew heavy, and her breathing relaxed. She was on the cusp of unconsciousness. “Hey, Mom?” The soft sing-song voice of her daughter rang out, stirring her from her stupor. “Mm?” Carrie hummed as she began to come to, much to her dismay. “What is it, Nikki, baby, I’m trying to sleep.” She rep...

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“A Simple Conversation ” by Emily Grace

Submitted to Contest #162

(TW: Mentions substance abuse, references to suicidal depression, references the best mac and cheese you’ll ever have, and potentially offensive to Christians) …Holy crap, this place sells lobster bisque for five dollars? …Is that good or bad? …Hope they like the tea I ordered. …Hey! Have a seat! How are you; how’s the move?! Great! Awesome…Do you like tea? You do!? That’s nice, I’m glad I got that right. Thanks for comin’, by the way. Sorry I called you at...

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“The Language of FOOD” by Brian Bywater

Submitted to Contest #162

The LANGUAGE of FOOD “Well?’ “You do this every time we go out to dinner, rush, rush, rush. No wonder you get indigestion. I have only just started to read the menu. ” “I cannot wait for the day we find a restaurant with only two items on the menu and one is marked ‘not available tonight’. You are unbelievable, the time you take to decide. Just once make a decision before I die of starvation. I swear it will happen one night Julie.” “What, Mordecai Jenson die of starvation? Have you looked in a mirror lately? You take up twice the ...

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“Super Sushi y Burritos” by ER Castaneda

Submitted to Contest #162

Jim looked at the Mexican-Sushi fusion restaurant menu, sighing. Why did he always allow Marcus to choose the places they would go for dinner during their monthly hangouts? He thought that maybe he should order a large garden salad? That seemed safe enough. “Dude,” said his best friend Marcus, as if reading his mind. “Don’t even think about getting a salad. Why would you even want to order that here when you have the option of getting Mexican food or sushi? This is such a cool place to try. Place just...

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“One Night At Sally's” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #162

Sally's, where the food is the best in town. Where the menus have the most beautiful designs. I'm looking at Sally's menu deciding what to order. The food is so good I don't know what I want. The Bay looks beautiful from my usual table. I smile at the many memories I have at Sally's. I started going to Sally's when I was six with my grandparents. We shared so many happy moments over a good meal. Sally's has been open since the 1940's and survived so much. There is a lot of history at Sally's. So many first dates, birthdays, marriage prop...

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“Angel Maker” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #162

King Richard Rainsbury licks his lips as he scans the menu. “I think I’ll start with the oysters on the half shell with tequila mignonette.” His son, Prince Quentin Rainsbury, a younger version of his father with thick, chestnut brown hair, large, inquisitive black eyes, and a devilish grin, replies, “You always get that. I’ll have the escargot en brioche .” “I like oysters. Why change?” “Change can enlighten, father. So, I’m told.” “More liberal gobbledygook drummed into your head by the Queen.” “She’s just a mother looking out for h...

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“She, He, and the Waiter” by L Boogie

Submitted to Contest #162

Hmmm…the pork knuckle with fries or a salad? She thought to herself. Black and green olives, bell peppers, onions, kale, croutons, and salmon. This salad has a lot going on. “So, I’ve been hitting the gym pretty hard. Trying to get cut up for the summer” he said. This had been a nice spring so far. The air was cool and breezy. It made her hopeful for a summer filled with cocktails on the beach. She wondered what summer cocktails they might have on the menu. “Yeah, I don’t go to the gym to g...

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“Thanksgiving Dinner” by Ric Ottaiano

Submitted to Contest #162

Mike McCall sat alone at the counter of the Denny’s on Sheridan Boulevard, just outside of Boulder, Colorado. He stared at the menu with unfocused eyes. His mind was elsewhere. The drive here had taken almost eight hours in his rented Ford Taurus, even considering two short stops to relieve himself. He now wondered, Should I just eat here, turn back, or keep going? Did I really drive almost 450 miles to spend Thanksgiving Day eating country fried steak and eggs? No, I didn't. He tossed the menu on the counter an...

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“Final Meal” by Sayonee M N

Submitted to Contest #162

[content warning: suicidal tendencies, emotional abuse] I know I have been staring at the menu card for an awfully long time. I know the server is getting antsy, especially considering today is New Year’s Eve. But I don’t want to look up. If I do, I am sure he will see the tears I am trying to hide. The restaurant is buzzing with merriment all around me, and I don’t want to be a Grinch. That’s why I am sitting at the corner booth facing the restaurant wall, all alone. ‘Stop it, Aisha. Get a grip,’ I chided myself as the tears trickled sl...

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“A Meal to Remember” by Nirvana P

Submitted to Contest #162

Andrew stared at the tablet in his hands, skimming through the items on the restaurant menu. “A Jill Burger?” he squinted at it and then looked back up at his wife to see her reaction. “In a place like this? It’s probably a typo. Forget about that now and choose something, I’m starving,” she swatted her hand in the air as if brushing away his comment. “Besides, you ought to eat healthier if you want to keep your cholesterol in check.” Her eyes trailed up and down his body, pausing at his waistline to make a silent comment on his weight...

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$250

Prize money

234

Contest entries

97

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 09, 2022 EST

A winner will be announced soon.

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

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