Menu

Prompts

Contests

Stories

Blog

Menu

✕

CONNECT

Editing Design Marketing Publicity Ghostwriting Websites

BLOG

Success Stories

APPS

TOOLS

Book Promotion Sites Book Review Blogs Booktube Channel Guide Book Title Generator Character Name Generator Independent Publishers Literary Agents Literary Magazines Pen Name Generator Plot Generator Publishers Directory Short Story Ideas Writing Contests Writing Exercises Writing Scholarships

ABOUT

About Reedsy Terms Privacy

CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#270: The Perfect Recipe

Writing can often feel like trying to follow the perfect recipe: with the right inciting incident, you can push your character out of their status quo or comfort zone, and if you sprinkle some challenges in there, you get character development. Then, you turn the heat up until you reach a boiling point — maybe you even toss in a third-act crisis — and just before it spills over, you add the finishing touches and plate it up.

But sometimes, no matter how carefully you stick to a recipe, things don’t turn out as planned. That’s when, like any great chef, you realize it’s better to forgo exact steps and simply season to taste.

This week’s prompts take inspiration from the world of food, so grab your aprons and preheat your ovens — let’s get cooking!

This week's prompts

Write a story in the form of a recipe.

Short Story – 82 stories

Start or end your story with two people discussing an important matter over a meal.

Dramatic – 60 stories

Write a story inspired by the saying “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”

Angst – 59 stories

Set your story in a kitchen, either early in the day or late at night.

Short Story – 82 stories

Write a story about someone searching for a missing ingredient, literally or metaphorically.

Dramatic – 53 stories

Stories

“Perfect Beautiful Rainbow Sandals ” by Laurie Jordan

Submitted to Contest #270

((Content Warning: Death of a Child)) There is the ghost of an eight-year-old girl who lives in my attic. Not everyone who is haunted knows who haunts them and why. But I do. Dear reader - let me tell you. I know. And she is most certainly upset with me. My ghost has blond ponytails and wears a pink Hello Kitty shirt. She has little jean shorts that go up to her bellybutton. Her fingernail polish is neon colored and chipping away, and her skinny, broken matchstick legs – toes pointing in different directions – are period punctuated with ...

Read story

“Deep River” by Bailey Kennedy

Submitted to Contest #270

Carter rang down to the from desk to ask the valet to pull their car up while Georgia got dressed and put on her makeup. Today was not a day to skimp out on her business look. While it was a casual trip she needed to appear the strong, professional woman for her meeting with Ben Jamison. She double checked that she had the letter, the key and the journals with her, and he laptop just in case. Finally she was ready to go and she felt that twist of butterflies flitting around her stomach the way the did before every big moment in her life.&nbs...

Read story

“The Missing Ingredient” by Alexa Pei

Submitted to Contest #270

Maria loved to be in the kitchen. The small space was always filled with the sound of something: the sizzling of onions hitting hot oil, the bubbling of sauces simmering, and the occasional clatter of a spoon against a dish. Today, though, the room felt different. The chopping of vegetables was slower, her movements more careful as she prepared rice with chicken, a dish she had made countless times before. But something wasn’t right. The recipe lay on the counter, fragile and worn from years of use. It was her grandmother’s recipe, written i...

Read story

“The Secret of the Kimsberries” by Mary Silinski

Submitted to Contest #270

Dinner with the queen was an everyday occurrence, but today something felt off. I knew it from her smile. My aunt never smiled at me. Not even when I occasionally completed her stupid princess tasks correctly. But here she was, sitting across from me, thin lips turned upwards with some sort of satisfaction. Irritation won out patience. “Why are you staring at me like that?” A cool mask of feigned innocence. “Like what, darling?” I rolled my eyes. “Like you know something I don’t.” The diamonds dangling from her ears danced as she chuckled. “...

Read story

“Inspirational Ingredients ” by Jacob Kiser

Submitted to Contest #270

Not to long ago did I realize I was missing a major part of my life. Most of you probably don’t even realize you’re missing it either this was the same for me. It took me literally missing one thing to realize the what I was actually letting pass me by. Alright I am going to attempt to write about this experience just because I feel it is such an obvious discovery that is easily over looked. Honestly I am in a creative field but this writing thing is not for me so I don’t know how to start this so I’m just going to start. Well I was in the k...

Read story

“Black Mould” by Mya Davidson

Submitted to Contest #270

The flurries dance around me amidst the frosted fury. Some people don’t like the cold. But in it, I thrive. My feet glide against the ground, the blades cutting through the solid ice. The melted corners of the rink ooze like blood out from the cracks. The snow falling like ash. I skate through the beauty and smile up at the pale clouds and scarcity of the sun. I've always preferred grey to gold anyway. I hear screams that sound like children's laughter… The screams turn into the sound of my alarm, disrupting my slumber. As they return, I whi...

Read story

“Recipe for a Life Unlived” by Sophia Thorne

Submitted to Contest #270

Recipe for a Life Unlived Ingredients: - 1 cup of dreams (fresh, preferably from childhood)- 2 tablespoons of fear (can substitute anxiety if necessary)- 3 heaping teaspoons of self-doubt (finely ground)- A pinch of missed opportunities- 4 generous scoops of routine (well-worn, habitual)- ½ cup of regret (aged, ideally)- 1 tablespoon of social expectations (crushed into a fine powder)- A dash of longing (optional, but recommended)- 2 cups of time (use sparingly, as it evaporates quickly)- A sprinkle of “what ifs” (for garnish) ---Preparation...

Read story

“A Recipe for Disaster” by Caty Lewis

Submitted to Contest #270

Recipe for Disaster Magazinepreviously Recipe for Disaster BlogVolume 1 (with any luck Volume Last)January 24, 2724HOW TO DESTROY THE WORLDBy AnonymousHave you ever wished to see the world burn? Then this article is for you! Inside is a recipe that brings about the end of the world, 94% GUARANTEED success rate! You will be perfectly satisfied with the outcome of this one-of-a-kind recipe!If you do not seek to destroy the world please stop reading this and reflect on your life. Important to note before continuing; going to therapy can lower t...

Read story

“Peace Offering” by Ruth Nowotny

Submitted to Contest #270

One day, you’ll wake up more stressed than you should be. You will wake up next to him and immediately notice how the skin around your eyes is stretched. Dry and swollen. You go to the window in front of the sink, bathrobe wrapping tight around your hips. You will feel the craving for touch and warmth, your body rejecting the gauzy cloth. The light from the faint morning will spill through the glass, and you will think of how you often found your mother in this exact position. Alone in the kitchen with all the lights off. You miss her and th...

Read story

“Gazpacho Vendetti” by Levi Michael

Submitted to Contest #270

Gazpacho Vendetti⇣jump to recipe ❍ 0 comments Everything you need to know, to create the ultimate, most meaningfulmeal you will ever serve — in three hours or more! In the unforgiving summer heat of Spain, a cool respite can be found in this refreshing dish, full of rich, sweet flavor you can savor long after. As with any dish, the traditions and techniques of the old world will always lead to superior cuisine. Taking short-cuts can get the job done, and even often lead to succulent outcomes. But to ensure the most satisfy...

Read story

“Fresh Start” by Amanda Stogsdill

Submitted to Contest #270

Fresh Start By Amanda Stogsdill Mandy's stomach was in Butterfly City as she boarded the bus the first day of school. Why did we have to move anyway? She knew the answer; Mom switched jobs, (she now baked at the cafe, which offered better pay than her previous one) and unexpectedly sold their house and moved to a new city towards the end of summer. Life would still be tough for a while. Glumly, Mandy slumped down in a middle seat, and stared out the window. The only bright spot was her Mom was going to teach her how to bake a pie. "Mandy, we...

Read story

“Mouth Execution ” by Lexi Tuenter

Submitted to Contest #270

She watched the spots of creamy sauce spread out like a disease across the table. Each time he lifted his fork another splodge was added to the complex pattern. How could he still be eating? “Did you hear what I said?” She asked. His mouth moved rapidly, chomping and chewing the soft pasta in an unnecessarily vigorous manner. Like a rabbit on steroids. The seconds ticked by slowly as he continued to chew the same mouthful. It was inconceivable. Just swallow the goddamn bite already. She sat cross legged at the table as her foo...

Read story

“Waking” by BOFT V

Submitted to Contest #270

My grandmother’s brother died a few days ago. I only knew his name, Allen, on the day the wake was to take place. I didn’t really care for it when my parents told me to attend for them. It felt like a nice change of pace. Reminders of death tended to humble me. I don’t know if it’s an odd thing to think about, given I still have three-fourths of my life ahead of me. Even then, I already consider myself old. Is this what a quarter-life crisis is? My death to come unannounced, at a time beyond my foresight, under circumstances I may or may not...

Read story

“False Icons for Dinner” by Yin Boo

Submitted to Contest #270

You are Dace Keller, a paragon of manhood. Because every man that’s ever been, for as long as you’ve known, has wanted to become Dace Keller. You are the model man, which all men that are not Dace Keller aspire to be. You are handsome, and witty. An uncontestable icon of masculinity. You look dashing in a suit and tie, and never trip on your sentences. You keep your nebulously blonde-brown hair at a short trim, maintaining just enough beard growth to still be considered well-groomed but also slightly rugged. You’re lean, and saharan bro...

Read story

“A Taste of Discontent” by Nikki Gamer

Submitted to Contest #270

Emma stabbed at her goopy mashed potatoes, eyeing the pot roast with disdain. Typical. Chris was so stuck in his ways. And here he goes again, launching into yet another story about that work friend."Emma, are you even listening?" Chris's accusation cut as sharp as the knife beside her plate. She couldn't help but think about Jules. Jules's teeth were the most beautiful she'd ever seen—alabaster white and shaped like pearls on a necklace. And Jules's face—perfectly-plumped lips and skin so smooth it looked photoshopped. Botox is not cheap. E...

Read story

Load more stories

$250

Prize money

336

Contest entries

133

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Oct 04, 2024 EST

Won by Jay Wayne 🏆

Title: Add Vodka to Taste

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!

Explore more writing prompt ideas:

Adults Writing Prompts ⭢

Adventure Writing Prompts ⭢

Angst Writing Prompts ⭢

Character Writing Prompts ⭢

Christmas Writing Prompts ⭢

Dark Writing Prompts ⭢

Dialogue Writing Prompts ⭢

Dramatic Writing Prompts ⭢

Dystopian Writing Prompts ⭢

Fall Writing Prompts ⭢

Fantasy Writing Prompts ⭢

Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Fluff Writing Prompts ⭢

Funny Writing Prompts ⭢

Halloween Writing Prompts ⭢

High School Writing Prompts ⭢

Historical Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Holiday Writing Prompts ⭢

Horror Writing Prompts ⭢

Kids Writing Prompts ⭢

Middle School Writing Prompts ⭢

Mystery Writing Prompts ⭢

Narrative Writing Prompts ⭢

Nonfiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Novel Writing Prompts ⭢

Poetry Writing Prompts ⭢

Romance Writing Prompts ⭢

Sad Writing Prompts ⭢

Science Fiction Writing Prompts ⭢

Short Story Writing Prompts ⭢

Spring Writing Prompts ⭢

Summer Writing Prompts ⭢

Teens Writing Prompts ⭢

Thanksgiving Writing Prompts ⭢

Thriller and Suspense Writing Prompts ⭢

Valentine's Day Writing Prompts ⭢

Vampire Writing Prompts ⭢

Winter Writing Prompts ⭢