The winning pieces from our recent food writing competition left our mouths watering—transporting us around the world to explore everything from the croissants of France, to the warm hearth of an Appalachian kitchen where traditions are made amongst family and friends. Check out the winners and finalists below, along with Guest Judge Sally Sampson’s commentary! Thank you to everyone who entered.
WINNERS
Winner: Heaven on Earth by darling_bean
Darling_bean invites you in from the start. “No,” she writes, “You have to roll it like a jelly roll- you can’t fold it up like that, the cheese will ooze out, my mom says.” You are immediately right there in the kitchen with her, hearing her mom, smelling the dough, seeing the future gooey cheese, wanting to eat pepperoni rolls yourself (in spite of not being a pepperoni fan). Her piece melds her sense of place in her family, instructions for assembling, and even for eating this “quick,” “cheap,” “simple,” traditional Appalachian roll. Please send the recipe.
Runner up: French Gas Station by Yellow Sweater
It’s been so many years since I’ve had a croissant that I can’t even think that far back, but now, after reading this piece, all I can think of is searching for the best one I can get my hands on. This author has some standard preconceptions about France and croissants, and I love how she is delighted and surprised by being wrong in finding the best croissant in the least expected spot.
Best Peer Review: The Reds Aren’t Culture, reviewed by immigrant
Immigrant’s review of “The Reds Aren’t Culture” is the most productive and helpful of reviews, giving lots and lots of positive feedback “I love the descriptions,” “I really like the beginning,” but perhaps more importantly, critiquing what could be done better: “In the second-to-last paragraph you wrote ‘apart’ when I think you meant ‘a part.,’” 'You switch between a more formal style and the frequent use of second-person…" All writers want to write better, and including these constructive yet encouraging comments are just the thing to help any writer achieve this goal.
FINALISTS
1. Ruminations on October 19 By magpies in may
2. Green Apples By KTShep
3. With A Side Of Spring Onions By ArcticBear
Peer Review Finalists:
1. Pan de Sal, reviewed by WhoTalksLikeMe
2. Tantalizing Our Mental Food Taste Buds…, reviewed by Eblinn
3. Saturdays are for peace…, reviewed by darling_bean
Highly Commended:
- How I Learned to Embrace My Mother’s Gardening Mania by samardhanani
- Mother spots by Eblinn
- Me, Mom & Mandazi by Aileen Wilson
- Lola: A Tale Of Death And Chicken Soup by meisohmahchee
- A FEUD OF FLAVOURS by debosmita.ghosh
- Heaven on a plate by Alice key
