44 pages 1 hour read

J. Ryan Stradal

Kitchens of the Great Midwest

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015

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Chapters 7-8Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 7 Summary: “Bars”

Pat Prager is a prominent member of a Lutheran church. Now married to Will Prager’s father, she is a devoted mother and wife who, driven by her selfless nature, often sacrifices her own happiness and mental well-being for the sake of her family and others. She is also renowned for her award-winning bars, particularly peanut butter bars, and she attends the church gathering where ladies submit their bars for the county fair selection. Pat, having won the blue ribbon for six consecutive years, encounters a new member, Celeste, who recently moved to the area. Pat, fueled by judgment, scrutinizes Celeste’s wealth, fashion, and mannerisms. Celeste presents her own entry, Mississippi mud bars, and Pat perceives her as a challenge from God, testing her winning streak.

As they head to the fair, Pat expresses disdain for Celeste’s “fat bomb” bars. Ironically, Celeste compliments Pat, calling her a real and genuine person. At the fair, Pat meets Susan, a woman hoping to win a Home Depot gift card with her Resurrection Rolls. Pat, detailed in her background assessments of the judges, initially believes that she won’t win this year due to bias. However, she wins the first prize ribbon, and Celeste celebrates with her.