A Taste of Home

The Prompt

Food is more than nourishment—it’s a bridge to the past, a connection to heritage, and a keeper of memories. In this challenge, we invite you to share the story of a dish that has shaped your life.

Did it originate from a family tradition? A cherished childhood meal? A cultural recipe passed down for generations? Describe the flavors, textures, and emotions tied to this dish, explaining its significance in your life or history. Your submission must include a full recipe, ensuring readers can experience the dish themselves.

In order for your submission to qualify, it must be:

The Prizes

• Grand Prize: $500
• Second Place: $200
• 15 Runners-Up: $15 each
• 10 Honorable Mentions: Badge

For your story to be eligible, it must be between 1,000 and 2,000 words and adhere to our Community Guidelines.

Stories published on Vocal and entered into the Challenge up until February 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The A Taste of Home Challenge is exclusive to Vocal+ members. To learn more and upgrade to Vocal+, visit https://vocal.media/vocal-plus.

To be eligible to win the grand prize, second place, or runners-up prizes, you must be over the age of 13 and reside in a country where Stripe is available at the time of entry. A complete list of countries where Stripe is available can be found here—winners will need a Stripe account created and connected to receive prizes. Entrants located outside of these countries will not be eligible to win.