Write a story where a meal or dinner goes horribly wrong.

Posted in Thanksgiving on Oct 26, 2022

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✍️ 202 stories

“Slush” by FJC Montenegro

Submitted to Contest #100

I breathe out, the white cigarette smoke indistinguishable from the thick clouds of vapor coming out of people’s lungs into the freezing air of the indifferent streets. I can see it’s warm and cozy inside the café, but I much rather stay out here. I was the one who invited him, but I can’t go in. I would love to tell myself “Come on, Kate. You can do it.” But I’m not sure I can. The little bell over the door jingles as someone enters the café. I stay outside and fill my lungs with warm smoke while my phone vibrates in my pocket. It’s the f...

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“Close Call” by Jerry Nourrie

Submitted to Contest #100

Adam sat at a round wooden table dimly lit by a old glass lantern. He held in both hands, an old leather-bound book with Latin words garnishing the cover. He meticulously went over each word and said it out loud breaking it down to syllables. “Mor-tu-us est. Am-bu-la-re. Mortuus est ambulare,” he practiced reciting. Hovering near Adam by the door, pacing back and forth, was Zach. His huge frame towered over the 6ft. door, making it look tiny in comparison. He had a distinct black viper tattoo wrapping around his body with its head ...

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“A Miniature Reverie ” by Eric D.

Submitted to Contest #100

Robert braced himself for the delicious prepared meal, cooked impeccably by his wife Helen. She was a sauté chef at a high end restaurant in the city which Robert reaped the benefits from as her eager taste-tester. Robert's lack of critical critique was irrelevant as Helen enjoyed watching him rejoice in her many cuisine creations. Today she melded together a home made version of Mongolian beef with brown sticky rice and steamed broccoli. He eagerly sets the table and places the utensils and napkins on the table besides two bowls of foo...

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“Wine and whining” by Reet Miglani

Submitted to Contest #100

I run towards the house, my hair disheveled, my lips swollen as I hurriedly send Ash a messageMessagesYou- ‘Black and white roses for my funeral please, and for the love of everything holy don’t invite Uncle Vernon, he’s a pain in the butt”Ashton- ‘Where would you want me to hold the ceremony? Ooh, and I’m not paying”That little-I gasp unbelievingly, it was HIS fault that I was running late for the annual ‘family meal’! It was this tradition in our family where all the fat uncles who wore obnoxious ties and aunts who wore fake pearls and di...

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“The Homecoming” by Marian Audrey Sureta

Submitted to Contest #100

"Mutya, how many foreign friends are you travelling with?" my now 58-year-old Filipino mother said. I understand her concerns; this will be my first trip home for Christmas with my friends and boyfriend (whom they've never met). I've never looked back on my motherland since earning a scholarship to one of the most renowned universities in the United Kingdom. It’ll be weird since my younger sister's spouse was my ex-boyfriend. “4 persons, including myself,” I said as my phone hung around my neck as I quickly packed, praying we...

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“The Farewell Dinner” by Don Peavy Sr

Submitted to Contest #100

Jonathan Williams, in response to his mother telling him Kristina was calling, got up from his bed and walked into the kitchen where the only telephone was other than the one in his mother’s bedroom. As he took the first step towards the telephone, Jonathan knew exactly what he wanted to tell Kristina Edwards Collins. He would tell her that it is over between them and not to call him anymore. Then he would hang up the receiver before she could work her magic on him. However, ...

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“Dinner Was a Mistake” by Tatiana Olin

Submitted to Contest #100

TW: domestic abuse, violence Some nights, like this night, sitting across from my husband at the small pub-style table at the window of our kitchen feels… wrong. Like it’s really familiar, but it’s almost unreal. Lifting a piece of chicken to my mouth on a fork, I look at him looking at the food. There’s always something wrong with it; there’s always something I mess up. I watch him slowly cut through the chicken and stab the loose piece. Everything he does seems violent, even the smallest of things. Sometimes I feel like I’m always u...

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“Mama The Telephone Man is a Woman” by Meta M Griffin

Submitted to Contest #100

Mama, The Telephone Man is A woman I’m not going to regret what I’ve done—I’m going to regret what I haven’t done. That’s why I go out with the boys every morning; even though many people object. But the telephone company is still like home. I had to go to get a job at the telephone company after I left Wayne and moved back in with Mama and Daddy. Before I went out with the men, I worked at the switchboard and used to listen in on the switchboard when I know Norma isn’t watching. Nope, folks won't believe...

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“The Weapon” by Joan Fiddle-Ferder

Submitted to Contest #100

The Weapon By Joan Fiddle-Ferder I never was one for parties. I would rather put my foot on the thir...

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“ROCK STAR” by Theresa Anna

Submitted to Contest #100

“Have you heard dad’s new album?” Kate smiled stiffly at her brother from across the white granite island as she took a sip of her champagne, her mouth instantly infused with bitterness. “You know I didn’t.” Jason looked at her, bemused. “Why not? It’s your kind of music.” Kate studied him—the boy who considered himself a man now just because he wore cologne and suits instead of lounge pants and jerseys. Just because he’d finally moved out of mom’s and into a north facing high rise. Just because his floor to ceiling bedroom windows showcased...

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“2014 ” by Daphne Porter

Submitted to Contest #100

'Dear Susan, You've been invited to the St. Mary's high school class of '14 reunion dinner. It would be great if you could come.' What a scumbag reunion, I scuffed. They should rename it the "reunion of backstabbing and phoney friendship." I'm not sure why they still want to see their backstabbing faces; of course, many individuals will turn up merely to brag; I wouldn't even go to such a meal. St. Mary's High School was a school in the western part of Ghana that was known for producing great people who would eventually help society de...

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“THE SUPPER” by Ogechukwu Anyaso

Submitted to Contest #100

It was a cool evening in the city of Jerusalem, it was the night of the Jewish Passover. Families were putting together meals for the feast, inviting friends or drinking together.“Arella please go check if your sister Gevira is back from the market” Hedya shouted from the kitchen as she kneaded bread dough. A little girl of ten walked into the kitchen pulling the hem of her dress“Mama, she hasn’t returned yet” Arella replied softly. Hedya groaned silently and pounded into the dough with more energy.“Your sister knows what today is and she de...

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“Picky Eating ” by Grace Wright

Submitted to Contest #100

I’d never been partial to any foods other than ham. Perhaps a slice of toast occasionally, but my discriminating and fairly restrictive palette would never settle for anything other than the full-bodied saltiness of processed goods. For the ripe age of six, I understood this was not unusual as such although rather backward for someone who adores eating. There was not a family Christmas that went by without my Nanna having to prepare a separate meal merely because of my overdemanding preferences, or a Primary school disco, in which I’d hand o...

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“Whatever happened to Aunt Ada” by Veronika Jordan

Submitted to Contest #100

July 2019 ‘So you had just started telling me Stan, whatever happened to Aunt Ada? She seemed so fit for 93.’ ‘She was. Good strong bones with plenty of meat still on them. You know how old people often get really skinny. Lose all muscle tone. But not Ada. She went to Pilates twice a week, right up until she was almost ninety. And she played tennis at Wimbledon when she was in her twenties. Hockey too. Taught PE at the local convent school. Received an MBE for services to sport after she retired.’ ‘Wow, she sounds like a remarkable lady,’ Je...

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“Cook it if you got it. ” by Chuck Dudley

Submitted to Contest #100

Jack was never the popular kid at school, but this year he promised himself to do whatever it took to get the girl of his high-school dreams. Lauren, Jack has been fascinated over Lauren since he was in the 2nd grade. But of course Lauren never really noticed Jack. He didn't play sports, he wasn't on the debate team, he never really did anything to stand out. But this year was going to be different and he knew before they went off to collage he would have to make his move soon. Jack was the quite type who stayed to himself and Laure...

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Write a story where a meal or dinner goes horribly wrong.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 202 stories

“Slush” by FJC Montenegro

“Close Call” by Jerry Nourrie

“A Miniature Reverie ” by Eric D.

“Wine and whining” by Reet Miglani

“The Homecoming” by Marian Audrey Sureta

“The Farewell Dinner” by Don Peavy Sr

“Dinner Was a Mistake” by Tatiana Olin

“Mama The Telephone Man is a Woman” by Meta M Griffin

“The Weapon” by Joan Fiddle-Ferder

“ROCK STAR” by Theresa Anna

“2014 ” by Daphne Porter

“THE SUPPER” by Ogechukwu Anyaso

“Picky Eating ” by Grace Wright

“Whatever happened to Aunt Ada” by Veronika Jordan

“Cook it if you got it. ” by Chuck Dudley

🌟 Similar prompts

Start or end your story with two characters sitting down for a meal.

Write about a group of strangers — or people who know each other, but may as well be strangers — eating together.

Write about a character preparing a meal for somebody else.

Write a story that involves a secret or magic ingredient.

Contest #100

Enter our weekly contest!

$50

Prize money

893

Contest entries

0

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: