It’s easy to think of food as just another part (albeit a tasty part!) of our daily routine. But by showing us the stories behind what’s on our plate—the people who bring it to us, the culture it represents, the centuries of history behind it—Food Writing reorients our relationship to food, encouraging us to approach each meal with gratitude, curiosity, and wonder.
Thank you to all who entered and showed us the extraordinary stories behind the food we eat each day! See Guest Judge Andrea Nguyen’s winning picks below.
Winner: Potatoes by barelybear (UK)
Like cooking an everyday dish well, composing a compelling narrative about the quotidian can be more challenging than you might imagine. barelybear tackles and surmounts the challenge exceptionally well in “Potatoes.” Strong and nuanced description elevates what could be seen as an arduous and mundane activity—planting potatoes—into an insightful reflection on relationships and connection. What’s the big deal about a potato? It’s neither glamorous nor trendy, yet barelybear packs the piece with a narrative about many journeys—her own, her father’s, and that of her grandparents. There are fine details on growing potatoes combined with personal introspection spanning resistance, ambivalence, longing, and appreciation. Written from a young person’s perspective, “Potatoes” offers insights of a much more mature writer. I root for what barelybear writes next!
Runner up: Prawn Shells by Shayna Leng (Singapore)
In one short story, Shayna Leng takes readers on a coming-of-age, crustacean-filled journey across the globe. Wonky tidbits about shrimp unfold into cultural notes that crack open many doors to understanding the human experience. The words communicate tension, humor, revelation, and loss. However, I wanted more details to flesh things out. Of course, there was the constraint of a word count for this competition, but I encourage Leng to expand this piece into a bigger story and further explore all the themes initiated in the piece. A lot of potential lies ahead for Leng’s future as a writer.
Best Peer Review: A. Penderwick’s (US) review of Plant-Based Meat: A Healthier Alternative or a Blatant Scam?
A helpful review is encouraging and suggests how a writer may strengthen a piece. A. Penderwick does just that with the in-line questions for the writer. Penderwick humbly casts the queries as a “few little points” but they exemplify the kind of objective perspectives that writers need in the polishing phase. One of my editors once framed her prompts as tweaks for going from “purse to handbag.” Writers don’t always have to agree with editors, but editors help writers to consider their words in different light. Every good writer relies on a strong editor (or two!). Penderwick does a solid job for BillyJoeBobTheThird.
Finalists:
Sunday Brunches by Clouds (Singapore)
A Tale of Two Kitchens by BeaReads (UK)
British Blue by Leo Lu (Australia)
Highly Commended:
The Kid’s Table by Mason Dean (US)
Empty Lunch Rooms by aashnapawar (US)
Taco Night by Mena (US)