LikeBtn

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

O - Onion #AtoZChallenge

My A to Z Challenge: Micro fiction, using 300 words or less, inspired by selected words along with a photo for inspiration. The words were chosen in reverse order from this lesson plan page.
(For example, for the letter A it was the 26th word on the list, for Z it was the 1st word on the list)



The onions sizzled on the grill as he attacked them with the spatula, flipping them repeatedly, on auto-pilot having done it hundreds of times. He sighed, watching his long-time employee mixing ingredients. "George, how long have you been working for me?"

The elderly man smiled. "Too long, maybe time to retire."

"Nah, you wouldn't know what to do with yourself, would you?"

George let out a deep laugh. "True dat!"

Another sigh. Might not have a choice soon. Things are so slow and it's the high season. Just not sure how long I can keep the place going."

The place was The Onion Slice, a food truck he'd established while still in college. He'd taken his grandmother's traditional recipes and, in some cases, had added his own twist. Kicky onion rings, cheesy onion flat bread, breaded onion petals, and grilled bacon wraps. But his signature item was caramelized onion pear tarts, a recipe he'd tweaked for three years before putting it on the menu.

Initially business was brisk with most coming during his attendance at local festivals and fairs. But copy cats soon joined in and his pear tarts were now the only item no one had been able to replicate. His accountant had warned him if things didn't pick up in the next month, he would have to close or sell.

His girl friend rushed in the side door, waving a newspaper. "Did you see this?" she screamed.

He wiped his hands. "No. What's up?"

She shook it in his face. "You did it!"

"Did what?" He frowned and reached for the paper.

"You got a rave review for your tarts in the Foodie's Blog today. I've taken six specials orders this morning and there's a line building outside."

He peeked outside and smiled. Maybe his lucked had turned. Stranger things had happened.



23 comments:

  1. Just when I was thinking a caramelized pear tart sounded really good, I noticed the link to the recipe. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you can use it. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.

      Delete
  2. How nice for him. Sometimes good things happen, maybe Guy Fieri will come :)

    Janet’s Smiles

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ah, we can all use a success story today. This one definitely qualifies. Wish I could try one of those pear things.
    http://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I for one would be in that queue I do like onions.

    Thanks again for the visit to my blog. It is much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed it and thank YOU for stopping by, too!

      Delete
  5. Donna,

    I love onions but the wrong kind can really hurt my stomach. There's nothing like the smell of onions cooking up, though. Great flash fiction piece. It's nice meeting. Thanks for dropping by today for my A2Z Little Mermaid art sketch ‘Ollie’!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They do smell good, don't they! I eat more now than I did as a kid, fortunately they don't bother me. Thanks for stopping in!

      Delete
  6. Onions make everything!!! I also am writing on food. https://everyonehasafamilystorytotell.wordpress.com/2019/04/17/2019-o-a-to-z-italian-famiglia-foods-and-memories-only-the-best-pizza-by-dad/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jeanne, thank you for stopping by. All my stories are quite different but due to the way I chose the words, I did end up with several food related tales.

      Delete
  7. That sounds SO good! Onions improve everything, don't they?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello Donna,
    First time on your blog. Enjoyed your tale.
    I would like to taste - breaded onion petals. hehe. But since he got a great review for tarts- would love to give it a try as well. Happy that his luck is turning around and his efforts are bearing fruit - rather onion 😉

    Opportunity Cost

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not sure if you noticed, but there is a link to the recipe at the bottom of the post. Give it a whirl! (and thanks for dropping in)

      Delete
  9. I like how a food blog promotes somebody's restaurant :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Let's hope it truly helps save his business...right? Thanks for dropping by!

      Delete
  10. Why is it the smell of onions cooking gets the taste buds going? Good for him.

    My A-Z of Children's Stories

    ReplyDelete
  11. Food trucks - aren't they the best? And speaking of onions, if you're ever in Norfolk, Virginia, try the cute French restaurant called Green Onion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes they are although pop-up restaurants seem to be gaining more favor. But all is good! Thanks for the tip and thanks for taking time to stop by.

      Delete
  12. Oh boy, a happy ending! I love those... And I love onions...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's always hard to balance the sad/creepy/happy flash fiction. For some reason I end up with a lot of dark tales so glad I could come up with one that ended happily. Thank you for taking time to stop by, read, and comment.

      Delete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.