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

Posted in Short Story on Sep 27, 2024

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✍️ 85 stories

“Lentil dinner” by Johannes Gustafsson

Submitted to Contest #270

“I wonder why my blood is so red.” I said.“Probably because you eat so many cherries, honey.” Dad said. I could hear his chopping. Ka. ka. ka. ka. Scraaaape. Toss. Ka. ka. ka. ka. Scraaaaape. Toss.“Then why was Nancy’s blood the same color as mine when she scraped her knee the other day?”“She is eating cherries in secret.”We worked silently for a while, waiting to say anything like when you wait for bread to bake.“Why is peeling carrots so hard?” I cried. I always cut myself peeling. Dad said it was a good thing to learn, but I knew that I w...

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“A Temporary Visit” by Rebecca Novak

Submitted to Contest #270

Snow and ice crunched under the tires of the taxi – yes, an old-fashioned taxi – that pulled up the long black driveway to her parent’s house in a rural suburb of Cleveland. Her flight had only been briefly delayed, a minor miracle for January, considering the fifth season of “deep winter” as her Dad would say, that afflicted so many northern midwestern states. Nearly midnight. Lynn crept out of the taxi, retrieved her carry-on luggage, and tiptoed over the slippery bricks leading to the back door, the light kept on for her. Slowly opening t...

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“Last Morning” by Kurtis Bowling

Submitted to Contest #270

I always get excited when the first sliver of sunlight bounces off the metal sink faucet. That’s when I know it’s almost time for breakfast. My folks like to sleep in, sometimes sleep the whole day away and only come out at dark. But not me. I’ve been getting up from my naps earlier and earlier, too excited for the morning to come because I can get a little bit of that delicious food. They’d get real mad at me if they knew I’ve been doing this, but I’ve gotten pretty good at sneaking around the house. I don’t go too far though–that...

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“Made In Heaven” by Tori F

Submitted to Contest #270

You never could understand why, every time I stood in our kitchen, for a good couple months, I cried. Like grief.How could I explain it to you? You, who love me? You who know me, but can’t quite comprehend why this kitchen is precious to me?I love you, too. That’s why.You don’t even like to cook, you say, with that funny smile that shows me you’re concerned.Well, I’ve gotten better about the whole weepy thing. At first, I was really emotional about it all, but it’s been a year, and I don’t cry about the kitchen anymore. That’s why I say it’s...

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“The Perfect Recipe” by Melody Watson

Submitted to Contest #270

“Don’t go without enough sleep, Jess. You have to be tip top tomorrow,” Bruce always gets to the point right off.“Yes, sir. I need to perfect this new sauce. I believe it will enhance Friday’s meal plan. Oh…I know what it needs,” Jessica Parker rushed off to the spice rack.The jars rattled as she searched for the spice, but it was no where to be found. Deciding to look for it around the kitchen, just in case it had been left out.She called to Bruce, “do you know where the nutmeg is? I don’t see it here.”“Sorry, no idea,” came the deep reply....

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“When You Remember Me” by Maria Gancayco

Submitted to Contest #270

“Wyatt, my love,” she said resolutely. “I want a divorce.” Today, Annabell had told him first thing in the morning. This time, Wyatt didn’t even have time to finish preparing Annabell her usual morning coffee. “Wyatt, I mean it. You never listen to me!”“Yes, I understand how you feel, my love.” This time, she had forgotten they had already gotten one. “I want to listen to you. I just wanted you to have breakfast first. I wanted you to be rested.”Usually it would take until the end of the day for Annabell to recall this point in their relatio...

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“Kitchen Mayhem” by Lorra Spitzer

Submitted to Contest #270

As the last light in the Cookie Café was switched off and the door locked, the utensils stirred, each anxious to begin the night's activities. “Psst,” whispered Spoon 1 from deep inside the drawer, “Spatula, is it safe to come out?” “All clear,” replied Spatula, hopping from the utensil holder and flicking on the kitchen light. Cautiously, the spoons, forks, and a pair of butter knives nudged the white wooden drawer until they all slipped out from the darkness. The kitchenware gathered around the marble center counter, preparing to take the ...

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“The Heirloom Recipe” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #270

Jasmine whistled as she walked towards her grandmother’s house, hoisting her backpack a little higher on her shoulder. It had been a brutal semester, and she was ready to be spoiled for a few days. Her grandmother Peggy lived in a cul-de-sac of modest one level houses designed for the elderly. She had moved there a few months ago after being widowed, giving up the large house she had shared with Jasmine’s grandfather.“I love this small house. It takes no time to clean,” she said to Jasmine not long after moving in. “Now I can watch whatever ...

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“Deliverance” by Alexa Intrator

Submitted to Contest #270

DeliveranceIt was 1 a.m. and Della had gotten nowhere. If these walls could speak and tell me what to do….….the professional handyman was coming tomorrow at 9 and she had to decide what to do with this old kitchen floor, with its cracked tiles that had probably been dove-grey. At least it wasn’t linoleum. Her daughter Pia, who ate only organic except when she ate out, had discussed certain rugs and furniture with dangerous chemicals, what were they called? that were toxic for humans and then polluted the environment once they reached the dum...

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“La Mesa de Abuelita” by Dan Coglianese

Submitted to Contest #270

It was past 3am when Lucia awoke to a commotion in the kitchen. She went downstairs, drawn toward the sound of a wooden spoon scraping a pan. “Mateo, it’s after 3. What are you doing?” His dark hair hung in his eyes, and sweat beaded on his forehead. Mateo scraped the pan like he was angry. Drops of Madeira wine dappled the granite countertop next to the stove. Two tenderloin steaks sat on a plate next to a half dozen slices of foie gras on a paper towel. He added a cup of veal stock to the pan and said, “Come, darling. I want you to try t...

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 85 stories

“Lentil dinner” by Johannes Gustafsson

“A Temporary Visit” by Rebecca Novak

“Last Morning” by Kurtis Bowling

“Made In Heaven” by Tori F

“The Perfect Recipe” by Melody Watson

“When You Remember Me” by Maria Gancayco

“Kitchen Mayhem” by Lorra Spitzer

“The Heirloom Recipe” by Bettina Karpathian

“Deliverance” by Alexa Intrator

“La Mesa de Abuelita” by Dan Coglianese

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story in the form of a recipe.

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

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

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

Contest #270

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

341

Contest entries

134

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: