Cooking Stories for 4th and 5th Grade Readers

Alex wanted to make breakfast for his friend Jan. He got up early and went to the kitchen. He cracked two eggs into a pan. The eggs sizzled and popped. He put bread in a basket and set out jam. Jan walked in and yawned. "Something smells good," she said. Alex slid the eggs onto a plate. He put the jam next to the bread. Jan sat down and took a bite. "These eggs are perfect," she said. Alex grinned. He poured two glasses of milk. They ate together at the table. The sun came through the window. After breakfast, they washed the dishes side by side. "You should cook more often," Jan said. Alex dried a plate and put it away. "Deal," he said. It was a simple meal, but it tasted like the best one he had ever made.

Alex and her friend Lee were in a baking contest at school. They had to make the best cake. Alex mixed the batter while Lee got the pan ready. "More sugar," Lee said. Alex added a spoonful. They poured the batter into the pan and put it in the heat. The smell of cake filled the room. When it was done, Alex took it out. The top was golden brown. Lee spread icing on it. They cut a small piece to taste. "Wow," Alex said. "That is good." The judges came around. They tasted each cake. When they got to Alex and Lee's cake, the head judge smiled. "This one has the best taste," she said. Alex and Lee won first place. They held up their prize with big grins. "We make a good team," Lee said. Alex nodded. "Same time next year?" she asked. Lee laughed. "Count me in."

Alex loved to cook. Every Sunday she would try a new dish. Her friend Max would come over to taste it. This Sunday, Alex was making a big pot of stew. She chopped up vegetables and dropped them in the pot. She added spice and salt. The stew bubbled on the stove. Max walked in and sniffed the air. "What is it this time?" he asked. "Stew," Alex said. "My own way of making it." Max sat at the table and waited. Alex stirred the pot one last time. She filled two bowls. Max took a spoonful. His face lit up. "This is the best thing you have ever made," he said. Alex was proud. She wrote the steps down in her cook book. It was her best dish yet. Max had three bowls before he was full.