Tag: food

The Language of Menus

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Restaurants around the world offer different menus with unique and distinctive names for their listed dishes, which can be perplexing most of the time.

We often wonder if they have their own language that they use to name and describe their food.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about how restaurants come up with the food descriptions on their menus that make their dishes seem “appealing, tasty, or poetic”.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2024/ep-240125

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “haute cuisine” mean? “Many of the words used to describe gourmet food – that’s food which is higher-quality and more sophisticated than usual – are French, coming from a country with a long tradition of high-level cooking called haute cuisine.” Construct your own sentence using this phrase.
  2. Do you know the meaning of “turn (someone) off“? “Some diners like the French names, but it turns other diners off.” Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. How about the word “not available to everyone“? “Caroline thinks French makes her cooking sound too posh, too fashionable, expensive and not available to everyone.” Use this idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the confusing menu selection?
  2. What steps do you typically take to make sure you don’t regret your menu selections? What are the usual questions you ask if you are confused about the name or description of a certain dish?
  3. Do you think the language used to describe food affect our psychology? Explain your insights.
  4. What are your thoughts on this, “There’s a tendency to not use French because it sounds pretentious.“? Would it turn you off as a diner? Why or why not?
  5. Could you share a funny or embarrassing experience with menu selection? What’s the moral lesson you learned from that experience?

Eat Well at a Buffet

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you’ve ever found yourself faced with an extensive spread of delectable dishes at a buffet, you know that navigating through the multitude of options can be both exciting and overwhelming.

From making smart choices to managing portion sizes and exploring new flavors, this comprehensive guide will provide you with valuable tips and strategies to help guarantee a good experience eating at an all-you-can-eat restaurant.

Read the article to acquire some knowledge and techniques to indulge in a delightful buffet experience like a true connoisseur.

https://delishably.com/dining-out/How-to-Eat-a-Buffet

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “gulp down” mean? “If you are gulping down quarts of soft drinks and piling up french fries on your plate, and starting on your third serving of chili, you might be abusing the buffet experience.” Use the phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “to push something aside” mean? “If one particular thing tastes a little “off” or is not what you thought it was, it is reasonable to push it aside.” Make a sentence using the expression.
  3. What is the meaning of the expression “to die for”? “While buffet desserts are to die for, the fat and sugar calories can be staggering.”  Use the expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, why is it recommended to start with lighter options such as salads, fruits, or soups at a buffet?
  2. Explain the suggested approach for managing portion sizes at a buffet?
  3. What is your opinion on the suggestion to arrive at a buffet with an empty stomach? Do you think it enhances the dining experience? Why or why not?
  4. In your opinion, is it important to try different cuisines and dishes you haven’t had before at a buffet? Why or why not?

The Hidden Life of Buffets

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Buffets have boomed a lot these past few years. Many people like going to buffets because they can eat as much as they want. Buffets are popular because they offer a lot of different types of food to choose from, in addition to unlimited servings.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to learn more about buffets.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2023/ep-230112

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “knock your socks off” mean, “They need to ‘wow’ the guests, or knock their socks off“? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  2. What does “vicious circle” mean, “It’s a very vicious circle“? Use this in a sentence.
  3. What does “get your money’s worth” mean, “If you’re paying $100, $200 a head for a buffet, you’re gonna pile it up high and take the most expensive things you can, and get your money’s worth.” Use this in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the hidden life of buffets?
  2. According to the article, what is the main problem with buffets?
  3. Do you think buffets will still be popular in the future given concerns about food waste and sustainability? Why or why not?
  4. Are buffets common in your country? Why or why not?
  5. What is your opinion on buffets?

New York City Bans Foie Gras

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Foie gras is a special food made of duck’s liver. However, this delicacy is not without controversy attached to it. The thing is, the way foie gras is made is rather agonizing for the ducks. Hence, some cities are deciding to outlaw this food product.

New York City is one city that has also voted to ban the sale and production of foie gras by 2022.  It has long been considered a French delicacy, but for animal rights activists, they are concerned about the cruelty inherent in its production process. The demand is still there and it continues to be served at many restaurants in New York. Reactions have been mixed and emotional but activists hope this new ban will put an end to its consumption.

Read the article and be able to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.treehugger.com/new-york-city-bans-foie-gras-4856359

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever eaten/tried foie gras before? If you have, how do you find this French delicacy? If you haven’t, would you like to give it a try? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think about banning its sale and production?
  3. What would be the positive and negative effects of banning it?

Traditional English Breakfast

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In Britain, the traditional English breakfast is a national institution. It has been enjoyed for so many years by people from all walks of life. It is served in luxury hotels, guest houses, country inns, B&B’s, guest houses, restaurants, and cafes. Even when traveling abroad, it can be found on the menu. It certainly is a meal that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Read the article to learn more about the traditional English breakfast and be able to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/Traditional-English-Breakfast/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever had traditional English breakfast before?What do you think about it?
  2. How would you compare the traditional English breakfast to that of your country? What is a typical breakfast in your country and what does it consist of?
  3. What do you usually have for breakfast and how important is it for you?
  4. Do you think it is important to keep a traditional meal such as this as is? Why or why not?
  5. What was the most bizarre breakfast food you’ve ever had and why did you think it was unusual?

School Lunches from Around the World

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Lunchtime at school is a very important part of a kid’s day. It provides them with enough energy to learn and be active.

Many schools provide students with access to meals. When choosing what to eat for lunch, making a healthy choice is really important.

Let’s watch the video to see what school lunches around the world are like.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do kids in your country usually eat for lunch at their schools?
  2. What was your school lunches like when you were a kid?
  3. Do you think school lunches should be provided by the government? Explain.
  4. What are things to consider for school kids’ lunches/snacks?
  5. In your opinion, which country has the best school lunch? Why do you think so?

Attempt At Faux Chicken Tenders

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Over the years, consumer demand for chicken has skyrocketed. Although this may sound like a good thing for the economy, poultry farmers are facing production and supply issues. On the other hand, another demand has also been growing–the demand for plant-based products.

Beyond Meat is a producer of plant-based meat substitutes and that includes faux chicken tenders. They unveiled their first-ever vegan tenders 10 years ago. Now, they are attempting to release a much better version of the first one.

Click the link and know more about what Beyond Meat is up to.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chloesorvino/2021/07/08/a-decade-later-beyond-meat-reveals-its-second-attempt-at-faux-chicken-tenders/?sh=7b97cfcd1dc7

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you heard about Beyond Meat or any other brands that sell plant-based meat substitutes?
  2. What is your opinion about plant-based meat substitutes?
  3. What are some benefits/dangers of consuming them instead of real meat?

The Food Delivery Revolution

B2 –  Upper Intermediate


When you do not feel like spending time slaving away in the kitchen, there is a quick way to have food ready on your dining table from 30 minutes to an hour just by waiting in the comfort of your own home.


Nowadays, it is so easy to find any dish you crave for at online restaurants. A few clicks and your dinner is on its way to you!

Listen to the podcast to know more about how food deliveries have changed our food culture.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200611

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the food delivery revolution? Is this happening in your country too?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of food deliveries?
  3. Talk about some of your food delivery experiences.
  4. What other changes in your food culture have you noticed in the past 10 years?
  5. What is your most preferred dining experience?

The Best Home-Cooked Meals

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many will surely agree that nothing beats a home-cooked meal, especially one that’s prepared with love. Whether it’s kneading dough or licking excess icing off our fingers, or peeling vegetables or stirring a pot of soup, most of us have memories of either watching or helping out our family in the kitchen. Recipes handed down through the generations also serve as opportunities to bond and enjoy each other’s company.

In the video below, grandchildren from the four corners of the world praise their favorite cooks and the dishes they do best.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the premise of the video that grandmothers make the best home-cooked meals?
  2. What are your favorite kitchen memories spent with family? What dishes did you prepare and eat together?
  3. What recipes have been handed down to your generation by your elders like precious family heirlooms?

What it Takes To Make a Wedding Cake

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the highlights of a wedding reception is the cake. Wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes. Some are simple and unassuming, while others have numerous tiers and can amount to hundreds (or thousands) of dollars. But no matter the cost, the wedding cake symbolizes the same things: prosperity, fertility, and good luck for the couple who eats it.

In the video below, take a look at how one of the most well-known cake artists makes this wonderful piece of pastry.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the video about? Explain it in your own words.

2. What is your opinion about wedding cakes? Do you prefer simple cakes or lavish ones?

3. Tell us about your own/dream wedding.