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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

“A Night at the Grasshopper Spot” by Zach Martz

Submitted to Contest #162

“Bartender, this menu has way too much crap on it. What kind of joint is this?” “Sorry about that.” The young barkeep took the menu from the customer, and wiped it with a damp rag. “There. That should be pretty clean by now.” The door opened and in walked Wayne Picard and Christopher Maddox, who gazed around the smallish wood-lined tavern before taking a seat at the bar located only a few feet from the entrance. The bar was long enough that the patrons seated nearest to them were three stools away. Wayne appreciated the fact that the pla...

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“Taco Tuesday” by Jaclyn Ferrer

Submitted to Contest #162

"Your waiter will be with you in just a bit!" Announced the tall brunette hostess just before she sauntered back toward the front of the restaurant, her high ponytail swishing back and forth as she walked. Claire didn't know why she even bothered with looking at the menu. She came here at least once every other week and always got the same thing. If Claire was anything, she was a creature of habit. She did the same chores on the same day every week, and followed the same daily schedule. She woke up at 7:00 in the morning and we...

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“Dinner for Miles ” by Scott Dutkus

Submitted to Contest #162

Miles turned the menu over and rubbed the edges twice with his gnarled hands, trying to see if he could find more options or if additional pages were stuck together. Then he looked around the table to see if he missed a part, or if a family member took a page, and finally around the room for a Specials Board. Unfortunately, the menu consisted of a front page with appetizers, soups, and main entrees followed by a back page with desserts and drinks and no Specials Board appeared, no matter how much he willed it. Nothing on the m...

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“The Menu Of Memories” by Kev Neylon

Submitted to Contest #162

Matt had been a few minutes early. He hated being late. He had been shown straight to the booked table. And now he was waiting for Louise to arrive. Matt would be surprised if she was on time; she was usually ‘fashionably’ late. It was a trait that had used to wind him up, but as time went by, he let it go more. And he had picked up the habit of giving Louise a time fifteen minutes before the actual time they were due to be anywhere. As he waited for Louise to arrive, Matt picked up the menu. More for something to do to fill the time in, ...

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“Around The World In A Menu” by Joseph L Floyd

Submitted to Contest #162

Simon Bentley waited for his long-time friend, Brent Baker, to arrive for their weekly lunch meeting. He continued to study the menu, waiting for his friend to be seated. This was a new establishment, and both men were eager to try something fresh. Finally, Brent arrives, and the waiter pours water and asks if they want something to drink and an appetizer. Simon looks over his menu and says, "I see you have wine from Spain." "Ah, you also have Gazpacho." "Yes, we have cuisine from all over the world." "I am sure we will accommodate your pa...

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“Pretentious” by Lucia Whitely

Submitted to Contest #162

The leather-bound menu card was starting to show signs of my sweaty fingerprints. My knuckles were slowly going white from the exertion of trying to sit still and not run around crying, 'FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.' My friend watched me anxiously. I did not want to let her down as I had so many times before, embarrassing her in public with my actions or words. I felt beads of sweat pouring down my face like I was standing in a lukewarm tepid shower and knew that it was any second before my make-up was going to mingle with that perspiration. I neede...

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“Chicken Parmesan” by Audrey Harmon

Submitted to Contest #162

Our tender chicken breasts are coated with grated Parmesan, the menu reads. “Sam? Do you know what you’re getting?” And Italian breadcrumbs. And– “Sam?” I look up at the familiar brown eyes which hold an unfamiliar expression. My mother’s lips jut forward. “What are you ordering?” My focus is all over the place, and I haven’t been able to read past one item. “The um..” Baked in our marinara sauce, topped with three Italian cheeses and– God this description kind of goes on forever. “Chicken,” I finally sa...

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“Alla Two” by M.E. Kirby

Submitted to Contest #162

Pesto alla Genovese. Pesto alla Geno…vese. Alla! Pesto. Genovese. Genoooveeese. The Italian vowels took twirls in Meg’s head as she scanned down the glossy menu of Mama Caruso. It was a quaint restaurant, the ones packed on weekends but not necessarily the weekdays. Also, her favorite place to go after a trying day at work. Reading over the words for a fourth time, the only meals Meg could decipher were “margherita pizza” and “lasagne”. Sighing, she let the menu fall out of her hands and catch her face instead. A breeze from ...

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“Forgetful” by Katherine Marley

Submitted to Contest #162

The diner was quieter that day. A few booths were occupied by families and couples that were minding the silence and conversing softly, but other than that it was empty. It wasn’t often that we had so few customers, especially on a Sunday morning, when diners tend to be at their busiest. Although I was especially appreciative, and frankly, in desperate need of the tips I often received from larger crowds, the quiet was a nice change of pace every now and then. I had lost interest in the bland conversations held in the kitc...

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“ALL THE THINGS YOU DON'T SAY” by Isabelle Faraci

Submitted to Contest #162

Did I want pepperoni or supreme? Or there’s always chicken bacon ranch. I always like that one, but I had it last time. And last time I said I would try something new, something different. Or at least just in a different rotation amongst the ones I know I like.“$2 bucks a slice or $11.50 a pie” read the sign hanging above the register.Was this menu sign always so worn down and pale? The checkered floor so scuffed and stained? The fluorescent lights so bright? This place used to feel so familiar.Taking a deep inhale, the aromas of the battere...

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“Home” by Luka Noel

Submitted to Contest #162

When I wake up he is already knocking on my door because he promised he would before leaving for work. He always wakes me up asking if I'd like a coffee despite having already started making it. 2 sugars with milk. I don’t like milk in my coffee but I won't tell him that. He feels guilty about waking me up, despite it being me who asked, so he buys a doughnut from the petrol station. It’s my favourite so I won’t say anything to him. He feels guilty about a lot of things. When I arrive in the country I get the train straight to my hom...

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“A Chef's Show of Love” by Madison McClure

Submitted to Contest #162

Ryan Erickson had quietly glowing, copper-penny eyes and soft, curling, coal-black hair with only a strand or two of silver at his temples. He was about 35 years old, lightly built and hovering just above the six foot mark. His face was thin, but his jaw was finely chiseled and completed with a handsome cleft chin. He had a good-natured manner, and he had a very sweet, very warm, dimpled smile which instantly melted the heart of the beholder. He was very patient and fairly reserved; he worked hard, and was good at his job. The first impressi...

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“Love in Small Pieces” by Nauro Rezende Jr

Submitted to Contest #162

Born at the beginning of the past century from a borderline poor family, she did not have too much education. Maybe just the elementary degree. Enough to read and write. Like so many born in that situation, her working life started early, helping the family to sell anything they could, fruits, food, and services. When she was younger, she spent her time over and old, new at that time, sewing machine, making dresses, blouses, and slacks for those who could pay for them.Married to a communist woodworker made artisan at old age, they build...

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“What's for dessert?” by Kimberly Bruné

Submitted to Contest #162

Kirsten and I met at culinary school and, right after discovering that we were both deaf, started spending every day together. It felt nice to finally have someone around you who understood everything you were going through. But that was just the cherry on top. It felt like nothing I ever felt before to help someone else feel understood. After a year I had someone explain that this feeling was love. Something I had never felt before because I had felt no connection similar to Kirsten’s. I confessed my love to her that night over so...

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“Dropped Dumplings” by John McNiel

Submitted to Contest #162

Jack drove up to the house. He checked the address twice against the directions, then noticed Thomas’s car down the street. Smiling, he got out and approached the door. Ian opened it as he knocked.“You found it!”“I found the store too,” Jack said, opening his pack. “I got the pretzels, pizza, and soda right here.”Ian grinned; and a girl's voice called out to them to shut the door, or else the cats might escape, and they quickly came inside. In the other room was a large table, and Ian introduced Jack to the others.Thomas was Jack’s best frie...

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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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