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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

“Something’s Off About Mary” by Kate Ross

Submitted to Contest #162

The child came from nowhere it seemed. One moment Frank was alone, watching an ancient can of baked beans heat over the campfire, and the next the girl was there, standing at the tree line. Frank jolted to his feet when he saw her, his rifle in hand before he even really thought to pick it up. The next moment and his weapon was shouldered and aimed at the young girl, who did not seem particularly bothered by his doing so. She stood stock still, and Frank wondered how long she had been there that way, watching him.“What are you doing, gi...

2 comments 2
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“The Last Technical Truth” by Iona Cottle

Submitted to Contest #162

[Content Warning- Death] “You know, I make the meanest grilled cheese in the world.” Flicking a few more switches, Marcie checked out the cabin window. “Well, in the universe, I suppose.” A light dimmed on the panel in front of her. Thinking, she thought. “You have told me this before,” a flat voice said. “I know. I’m just not sure you believe me.” Another dim. Memory recall? “I do not have any way to make an objective judgment on your statement.” Ah, no. Snarky. “You don’t have to make a judgment. You could just trust me, you...

1 comment 1
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“CAF- The Italian Job” by Monu Singh

Submitted to Contest #162

The waiter at Gusto 101 stood waiting, staring at me as I flipped through the menu several times, stopping at the Cacio e Pepe each time. I wouldn't mind one of their grilled entrees served with escarole, cannellini, beans, and a lemony, garlicky salmoriglio sauce. The restaurant offers one of the finest Italian classics, yet each dish seems out of reach, looking at the price tags next to them.  "Rob, don't you dare order a big meal. We are all starving here." Sam was reading my mind watching me from the neighboring building, seated w...

10 comments 10
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“The Singing Tree” by Jenna Hudson

Submitted to Contest #162

Nestled deep in the heart of the woods was a cedar tree. The cedar was not just any tree, of course. For if this were an ordinary tree, it would not fill the air with the most beautiful song in the purple minutes of twilight. Traders and merchants and royals and peasants came from far and wide, from kingdoms all across the realm, to be graced by its sweet singing. The singing tree was a beacon of light amongst a sullen forest. Even its branches, green as a lifetime of dewy spring morns, outshone those of every tree in the woods. Its trunk...

3 comments 3
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“The Eatin' Table” by Travis "John Bill" Peek

Submitted to Contest #162

 She had never had a dining room or for that matter, never been in a dining room. A dining room would never have suited Louise in the first place. Her people were common people, but each one precious in Louise’s eyes.Her large-footed, dark-stained, oak table sat in the middle of her kitchen. A store bought, brass, light fixture suspended from the ceiling, draped her table in light. Tall, ladder back, wooden chairs strong enough to hold a grown man, but gentle enough for a child to climb into, girded her table. The table, Louise’s table,...

3 comments 3
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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 ...

4 comments 4
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“Newborn” by AnneMarie Miles

Submitted to Contest #162

Trigger warning: This story uses strong and/or offensive language, and describes violence. “It’s impolite to talk with your mouth full. Didn’t anybody teach you that?” Erik said, smirking at his companion. Kirk was holding his meal’s elbow in one hand and their wrist in the other when he looked up. His eyes were like flames, ravenous and burning a glistening gold. His deep crimson chin filleted upwards as he smiled amusingly. “That’s a rule I left behind in a past life. But for your sake, I’ll repeat myself. What I said was, why do you a...

19 comments 19
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“Feast” by Samuel Shields

Submitted to Contest #162

The stranger eats like an animal. He tears into the day's bread before I've set it properly on the table, fingers prying apart the hard crust to make way for the porous, soft insides. He eats like he's dying. We're a simple family, it's simple food. A thick porridge of grain with shaved, dried meat and pinches of cheese, topped with fresh herbs plucked from the garden.The porridge stains his mustache, flakes get stuck in the stubble on his cheeks. "Travel takes it out of you." He says. "You gotta fast for days, dependin' on the when." He dri...

0 comments 0
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“The Escape” by Melissa Taylor

Submitted to Contest #162

"If we ever get out of here, do you know what I want? A grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup." Moira had her eyes closed, envisioning warm gooey melty cheese. "WHEN we get out of here, I will make that for you. I make the BEST grilled cheese." Shane said. "It's not your everyday grilled cheese." "What makes yours so special?" Moira asked. "First off, I use three different kinds of cheese: cheddar, gruyere and muenster. I grill the bread in garlic butter with rosemary. It's divine if I do say so myself."  "That sou...

2 comments 2
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“Empty Heart and Full Stomach” by Sarah Martyn

Submitted to Contest #162

Warning: mention of eating disordersWhen most of your identity hinges on if you are liked by people (at least most people), you’ll dedicate a lot of your life to achieving that. Even the recurring failure of that goal won’t stop you, but you get tempted to quit trying. Nobody would ever care as much for you as you do for them.I’m not asking for much. I am new here, and would be content with a few close friends, and for every person who gets on with me to at least enjoy my company when I invite them over. I don’t need fifty constant companion...

2 comments 2
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“My Grandmother's Love Language” by Antara Srikanth

Submitted to Contest #162

Love is one of the purest forms of human emotions. There are different ways of expressing love; however, the most creative is through food. So many beautiful memories are created over food. The art of making food as per someone’s taste requires not only skills but also time and patience.  In India, mealtime is family time. It begins with the ritual of praying to the almighty, where we thank him for providing the food on the table. In most households, preparing the meal for the family falls on the mothers or the grandmothers. They take...

2 comments 2
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“A La Carte” by Ross Dyter

Submitted to Contest #162

The menu hit the table with a soft thud. “It’s all in there, I’ve done everything you asked.” His knuckles whitened as he gripped the edges of the table. He leaned in his blue eyes locked onto hers. “Now leave me, and my family, alone.” “I…” “I don’t want to hear it Sarah, it’s over.” He pulled his phone from his jacket pocket, “I’ve got your photo, if I ever hear from you again, I’m handing it all over.” He let go of the table and wiped his hands on his blue jeans. Straightening up he ran his fingers through...

8 comments 8
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“The Food Critic” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #162

            He sat at a small, wooden table near the front window of the bistro. The sunlight reflected off the effervescence in his sparkling water, creating a prism of color cast along the white tablecloth as he scanned the menu items for l'appétit, a quaint French restaurant near the outskirts of town.             Charles Heatherington was considered to be one of the most sought-after food critics in the region. His word was consi...

4 comments 4
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“Stuffed” by John Barron

Submitted to Contest #162

David tapped on the door with the back of his hand. Doorbells were so impersonal. They also left fingerprints For a moment he wasn’t sure if anyone had heard. He inspected his ID tag briefly. He considered knocking again and toyed with the idea of moving on. Then inside, he noticed a shape shifting in and out of focus through the textured glass of the door panel. David straightened himself and put on his most sincere smile. The door cautiously opened an inch or two. A pair of horn-rimmed spectacles attached to the face of a woman with long h...

2 comments 2
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“Meal Plan” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #162

“Get out. Get out of my house,” she spoke the order in a neutral, nearly conversational fashion, surprising even herself.The man shrugged on his coat, finished the last gulp of his wine and contemplated her glare. He turned to leave. As he grabbed the door knob, he shot back,”I’ll call you tomorrow, then, okay?”“Whatever,” she stated as she closed the door after him.She poured herself another glass of wine before checking the oven. Gosh, it smelled so good! What's wrong with that guy? She had made this over-the-top dinner for him, to ce...

8 comments 8
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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.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

Prompts | Big Blue Hand | 2024-11

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