FOOD FOR ALL

We proudly present our own special selection of the best cookbook titles now on
offer.
Ask anyone to think 1)………. a famous TV cook and writer, and it's frequently
Delia Smith's name that comes to 2)………. . Her recipes 3)……… from all over
the world - each marked by her enthusiasm for good food, plus her straightforward
appreciation of 4)………. the average cook can do in the 5)………. kitchen. The
book that established her reputation is Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course,
which 6)…….. now become the kitchen reference book for the modern housewife
along with simple, but expert, guidance on all aspects of 7)………. and more
advanced cookery. Delia mixes her advice with hundreds of superb recipes that are
8)………. but boring. Recently revised, it's more than ever the book that answers
the question: "If I could only have one cookbook, which 9)………. it be?"
It 10)………. Raymond Blanc just 15 years to move from amateur, untrained
chef to chef/owner of the most 11)………. French restaurant in Britain. Now to
accompany his first TV series, Blanc Mange, comes the 12)………. of the same
name. Raymond wants to teach 13)………. all to be better cooks by demonstrating
how and 14)………. certain ingredients react in 15)………. ways. Good cooking is
easy, in his view, when you really understand what's 16)………. on in the pan.
Over 80 amazing recipes 17)………. exactly what he means. It's a very practical
cookbook, 18)………. is not above explaining why certain dishes can go 19)
……….. and introducing some basic food chemistry to clarify the points made.
Monsieur Blanc loves to 20)…………. and entertain, and as this book proves, he's
very good at it.
 EYE- CATCHING TABLETOP
Think of the most striking restaurant tabletops you have ever 1)……….., and what
is it they all seem to have in 2) ………..? More than likely, it is one or two unique
items, perhaps a wrought-iron candelabra or colourfully coordinated 3)…………
holders that add a dash of spice to an otherwise typical setting. Such unique pieces
are often 4)………… as brilliant and rare, cute and fun, odd, curious, unusual or
weird, but they never 5)………… to make a lasting impression.
6)………… the plates, silver and glassware, these exceptional objects of “art”
are the ones guests 7) ………… quite expect to see on a table but are always
pleasantly surprised and delighted when they 8) ………... They are the
conversational centerpieces that punctuate the statement a restaurant makes and
help deliver an 9)………… dining experience that is part theater, part “eat”-
entertainment. These are the tabletop items guests go out of their way to purchase
10)………… pilfer. And they are singular elements of design that can take a place
setting beyond simply pretty 11)……….. pretty spectacular.
12)……….. 4 years ago, Chef Gary Clauson at the 92-room Hotel Bel-Air, LA,
stumbled upon 13)………… unique find in the window of a local antique shore – a
miniature, cast-iron replica of a wood 14)………… stove. 15)……….. the turn of
the 16)………., these models served as portable examples for travelling stove
salesmen, each one carefully crafted to 17)………… the subtle differences 18)
………… designs. Today, these vestiges of dining days 19)………… by are used
to serve dipped fruit to VIP guests at the 160-20)………… Hotel Bel-Air
Restaurant.
ROAMERS
In 1989 a young intrepid Australian was travelling around Europe and found
himself at his British hostel after closing time - at 10 in the morning. Whilst most
of us might take it as an opportunity to find a cosy bed and breakfast or at least a
dry bench in a railway station, Matt Lassiter spotted a business opportunity.
Knowing that he was not alone and that thousands of backpacking youngsters were
wondering the world with heavy bags and fat wallets, Lassiter came up with a plan
to start his own hostels that made young visitors feel at home whenever they
arrived. “I realized there was not so much a gap in the backpackers’ market, but
rather a canyon!”
A couple of years later, Lassiter formed his own company which he called
Roamers. His intention was to focus on creating hostels which would provide
accommodation for the dynamic youth tourism market. “The average backpacker
around 18-21, is likely to be highly educated, often taking time off between school
and university and usually has quite a lot of money to spend and these are the
people Roamers sets out to attract,” says Lasiter.
Today, Roamers operates in more than 20 countries, has 70 hostels and
provides1.5 million bed nights each year. Lassiter says that each hostel is like a
kindly aunt or uncle looking after young people. Backpackers like that and their
parents like it even more, not because Roamers is a fun environment, but because
Roamers offers a safe and secure form of accommodation.
A typical hostel has showers and toilets on each floor, a “chill out” room with
television, food, bar and drinks facilities, a laundry room and internet access with
free e-mail usage. Lassiter was very aware that his young, bright customers would
all be familiar with the internet and that it would play an important part in
marketing his company.
Part of Lassiter’s success is knowing that backpackers want to feel like
explorers. “We have to be very careful how we market our products – it must be
their decision and not seen as a package holiday – we make them think they are
independent.” The Roamers technique is to offer pre-booked, two or four-day
tours, a couple of nights recovering from jet-lag. A welcome pack, clean sheets –
no sleeping bags – and a free call home. The formula is certainly working, which
just goes to show that Lassiter’s instincts are exactly right for the growing holiday
market.

QUESTIONS
1. How did Matt Lassiter react to the British hostel closing in the morning?
A.He looked for alternative accommodation.
B. It put him off traveling in Europe.
C. It gave him an idea for the future.
2. What did Lassiter think would help young travelers?
A.to be less spoilt financially by their parents.
B. to find more welcoming accommodation
C. to be more aware of looking after their money.
3. Roamers hostels are designed for young people who
A.are studying part-time.
B. have freedom and leisure.
C. are living on a small budget.
4. Why are parents in favour of Roamers?
A. They can pay extra for secure arrangements.
B. They approve of the entertainment on offer.
C. They don’t worry about their children’s safety
5. Lassiter’s use of the internet
A. shows good business sense.
B. saves him time and money.
C. attracts business partners.