MEALS. COOKING.

FOOD
the food agrees/disagrees пища полезна (вредна)
meal прием пищи
meal-time время приема пищи to feed (fed, fed) on питаться
eater едок to help oneself to угощаться
diner [dan] обедающий
hearty eater человек, любящий поесть light легкий
breakfast завтрак substantial плотный
at breakfast за завтраком tasty вкусный
for breakfast на завтрак delicious прелестный
brunch второй завтрак
lunch обед to be ready
dinner to be cooked
dinner hour перерыв на обед to be served
dinner party званый обед to be (feel) hungry быть голодным
dinner time время обеда to be thirsty испытывать жажду
at dinner to be as hungry as a hunter
for dinner to eat (ate, eaten) well
afternoon tea вечерний чай to drink (drank, drunk) пить
supper ужин to drink to пить за ….
course [k:s] блюдо to have a drink выпить
for the first course на второе to propose a toast предложить тост
second course третье блюдо to have breakfast, lunch, etc.
dessert [dz:t] десерт to take smth for dinner
for dessert to cook готовить
refreshments закуска to break for lunch прерваться на обед
snack, bite легкая закуска to go out for lunch обедать в ресторане, в гостях
to have a snack (bite)
to be particular about meals to be at breakfast, at dinner, etc.
to keep to meal times (hours) to dine out обедать в гостях
to come home for lunch to set (lay) the table for dinner накрывать стол
to put lunch off until a more convenient time to be used to a simple diet
to miss a meal to keep to a strict diet
to prefer smth more substantial to serve smb smth for dinner
to come for a chat while having tea to treat smb to smth угощать
to differ from country to country to make a real holiday dinner
to draw up the menu to see what provisions are needed
diet пища, стол, диета to manage everything on one’s own
article of diet предмет питания to help smb with cooking
simple diet простой стол to help make dinner
strict строгая диета to be willing to give smb a helping hand
to be on a diet to decide on smth for the first course
to keep to a diet придерживаться диеты to make (serve, offer) vegetables for the second course
to try one’s hand at making smth
menu меню, еда to try one’s skill in making smth
menu-card карточка блюд, меню to give the secret of cooking in one lesson
on the menu в меню
scanty скудная еда manner of cooking
to be greatly interested in cooking
food to be keen on cooking
foodstuff пищевой продукт to take pride in the traditional cooking
helping порция, кусок пищи to keep up the standards of traditional cookery
another helping еще одна порция to borrow ideas from the cookery book
highly seasoned острая to be poor at cooking
flavoured [flevd]с приправами to make some food into a horrible sloppy mess
to get stewed beef out of a tin
nourishing [nr] питательная
to flavour the dish with
tasteless безвкусная
to disguise the natural flavour of the dish by covering it with
tasty вкусная
paprika
delicious очень вкусная
to add a dash of smth to bring out the flavour
edible (eatable) съедобная
to have patience to cook smth
unflavoured пресная
to gain experience in cooking
to be sure to make a good cook
to cook food
to taste food
 flake pie слоеный пирожок
taking in guests mince pie пирожок с мясом
to ask (invite) smb to dinner
to invite smb for a cup of tea pudding [pud] пудинг
to be expecting guests plum с изюмом
to arrange the dishes (plates) on the table nicely roll булочка
to lay the table for tea ring roll бублик
to lay the table with things required during the meal rusk сухарь
to put table-napkins on the table scone коржик, лепешка
to treat smb to smth sponge бисквит
to offer smb coffee tart открытый фруктовый пирог
to give smb a treat toast поджаренный хлеб
to help oneself to some more salad buttered toast
to have another helping of smth
to do with another bun cereals and groats злаки и крупы
to refuse to have another piece of tart barley ячмень
to praise the dish pearl barley перловая крупа
to thank the host and the hostess for the treat peeled barley ячневая
to have no appetite left buckwheat гречиха
to have some appetite left cereal [srl] хлебный злак
to clear the table corn хлеба (амер. кукуруза)
to wash the dishes cornflakes кукурузные хлопья
grain зерно
bread and confectionery хлебные и кондитерские grits овсяная мука грубого помола
изделия groats крупа
biscuit [bskt] печенье maize маис, кукуруза
bread хлеб millet пшено
bread and butter хлеб с маслом oats овес
breadcrumbs хлебные крошки oatmeal овсянка
a loaf (pl. loaves) of bread батон, буханка porridge овсяная каша
a piece of bread кусок rice рис
a slice of bread тонкий кусок semolina [semli:n] манная крупа
wheat [wi:t] пшеница
brown из непросеянной муки
white белый meat and meat dishes мясные блюда
rye [rai] ржаной back rasher [r] корейка
stale черствый bacon бекон
new (fresh) свежий bacon and eggs яичница с беконом
fat bacon жирный
to bake bread печь lean bacon постный
to raise bread ставить на дрожжах beef говядина
beefsteak бифштекс
bun сдобная булочка horse-beef конина
cake торт, пирожное tender beef нежная говядина
recipe [resp] for a cake рецепт изготовления торта tough [tf] жесткая
birthday именинный chop отбивная котлета
wedding свадебный cutlet рубленая котлета
cheese ватрушка ham окорок, ветчина
kidney почки
dough [dou] тесто liver печенка
doughnut пышка, пончик force meat мясной фарш
rich сдобное a bit of meat кусок мяса
leavened [levnd] на дрожжах boiled
unleavened пресное chilled мороженое мясо
to knead [ni:d] the dough месить fat
dumpling клецка overdone пережаренное
flour [flau] мука underdone недожаренное
to sieve flour просеивать муку roasted жаркое
gingerbread имбирный пряник grilled жареное на рашпоре
macaroni макароны stewed тушеное
noodle лапша succulent [skjulnt] сочное
pancake блин, оладья to carve meat резать мясо за столом
paste сдобное тесто to chop meat рубить
pastry слойка to mince meat пропускать через мясорубку
pie пирог
mutton баранина herring селедка
mutton chop lobster омар
pork свинина lobster salad
cold pork буженина mackerel [mkrl] скумбрия
roast beef ростбиф oyster [st] устрица
sausage [ss] колбаса, сосиска perch окунь
boiled pike щука
smoked копченая plaice камбала
smoked ribs грудинка salmon [smn] лосось
stomach [stmk] желудок humpbacked salmon горбуша
tongue язык Siberian salmon кета
veal телятина smoked salmon
sardine [sa:di:n] сардина
sheat fish сом
shrimp креветка
poultry and game sprat килька, шпрот
chicken цыпленок, курица salted sprats кильки
chicken broth куриный бульон sturgeon [st:n] осетр
roast chicken жареный цыпленок trout форель
duck утка turbot палтус
egg яйцо zander судак
white of an egg яичный белок
yolk [jouk] of an egg желток dairy produce and fats молочные продукты и жиры
egg powder яичный порошок butter сливочное масло
egg shell скорлупа boiled топленое
omelette to butter bread намазывать хлеб маслом
fried to melt butter растапливать масло
hard-boiled вкрутую cheese сыр
new-laid свежеснесенное cheese pairing, rind корка сыра
scrambled яичница-болтунья cheese sandwich бутерброд с сыром
soft-boiled всмятку processed плавленый
bad (rotten) тухлое strong острый
to break an egg to pare cheese снимать корку с сыра
to whip an egg взбивать cream сливки
to shell an egg почистить scalded пастеризованные
game дичь curds творог
goose (pl. geese) гусь lard топленое свиное сало
hazel-grouse рябчик margarine [ma:ri:n] маргарин
partridge куропатка
milk молоко
pheasant [feznt] фазан new парное
rabbit кролик skim снятое
turkey индейка whole цельное
sour milk простокваша
fish and fish dishes sour cream сметана
bream лещ
carp карп
caviare [kva:] икра
red кетовая
soft зернистая
cod треска
cod liver тресковая печень
crab краб
crawfish (crayfish) рак
eel угорь
fish
dried вяленая
fried жареная
jellied заливная
salt соленая
smoked копченая
stuffed фаршированная
tinned рыбные консервы
in oil в масле
in tomato в томатном соусе
fish scale чешуя
vegetables and vegetable dishes ripe спелый
asparagus [sprgs] спаржа tinned фруктовые консервы
beans бобы, фасоль gooseberry крыжовник
beet (beetroot) свекла grapes виноград
cabbage капуста a bunch of grapes кисть
cabbage head кочан lemon лимон
to chop cabbage шинковать lemon squash лимонный сок с содовой
carrots морковь a slice of lemon ломтик лимона
cauliflower [klflau] цветная капуста lime мелкий лимон
cauliflower dressed with breadcrumbs в сухарях mushroom гриб
cucumber [kju:kmb] огурец skin of a mushroom кожура
fresh-salted малосольные dried сушеные
pickled соленые, маринованные grilled жареные
egg-plant баклажан pickled маринованные
garlic чеснок melon [meln] дыня
greens свежие овощи nut орех
lettuce [lets] салат olive [lv] маслина
marrow кабачок orange апельсин
onion лук blood-orange королек
parsley петрушка orange juice
peas горох orange peel корка
green peas зеленый горошек peach персик
pepper перец peanut земляной орех
stuffed фаршированный pear [pe] груша
potatoes картофель pine-apple ананас
boiled вареный plum слива
chipped жареный тонкими ломтиками pomegranate [pmrnt] гранат
fried prune чернослив
mashed potatoes пюре quince [kwns] айва
new молодой raisin(s) изюм
baked in their jackets испеченный в мундире seedless без косточек
to peel чистить raspberry [ra:zbr] малина
pumpkin тыква stone косточка
radish [rd] редис strawberry клубника, земляника
sauerkraut [saukraut] кислая капуста tangerine [tnri:n] мандарин
tomatoes помидоры walnut грецкий орех
tomato sauce томатный соус water melon арбуз
spinach [spn] шпинат
turnip репа seasoning and spices приправы и специи
to pare (peel) vegetables чистить овощи acid [sd] кислый
bitter горький
fruit, berries, mushrooms and nuts cinammon [snmn] корица
almond [a:mnd] миндаль dressing подливка, приправа
apple яблоко to make a dressing приготовить приправу
apple skin кожура ginger [n] имбирь
apple sauce соус gravy мясная подливка
apricot абрикос horse raddish хрен
banana [bna:n] банан mustard горчица
berry ягода oil растительное масло
cherry вишня olive оливковое
sweet cherry черешня sunflower подсолнечное
chestnut каштан pepper перец
cranberry клюква salad cream майонез
currant смородина mayonnaise [menez] майонез
black черная salt соль
red salty соленый
white soda
date финик a pinch of soda
fig инжир sour [sau] кислый, прокисший
fruit фрукт sugar [ug] сахар
dried сухофрукт
a lump of sugar кусок
juice сок
broken loaf колотый
juicy, mellow, succulant сочный
castor сахарный песок
preserved консервированные
granulated крупный сахарный песок new
powdered (icing sugar) сахарная пудра old (matured) выдержанное
sweet сладкий portwine портвейн
vanilla [vnl] ваниль red
vinegar [vng] уксус sweet
seasoned with vinegar с приправой из уксуса table
yeast [ji:st] дрожжи a wine list карточка вин

confectionery сладости plate and cutlery столовая посуда

chocolate [klt] шоколад bottle [btl] бутылка
a bar of chocolate плитка шоколада to uncork a bottle откупорить бутылку
a box of chocolates bowl [boul] чаша для бульона, миска
milk молочный bread-board доска для хлеба
nut с орехами butter-dish масленка
bitter горький china фарфоровые изделия
ice-cream мороженое coffee-pot кофейник
ice-cream sandwich мороженое в вафлях crockery посуда
jam джем, варенье cup чашка
a jar of jam банка варенья cutlery ножи и вилки
honey [hn] мед decanter графин
marmalade [ma:mled] повидло a dinner set обеденный сервиз
dish блюдо, тарелка
sweets конфеты
egg-cup
fork вилка
beverages, soft and strong drinks напитки, фруктовые
glass стакан, бокал, рюмка
воды и крепкие напитки
to fill the glass
beer [b] пиво
to pour into a glass наливать в стакан
dark
wine glass рюмка, бокал
light
goblet бокал
lager [la:g] светлое пиво jug кувшин
a mug of beer кружка knife
a pint [pant] of beer пинта carving knife длинный нож для резки мяса
brandy a handle of a knife ручка ножа
cognac [kunjk] коньяк ladle половник
cocktail milk-jug молочник
cocoa [koukou] какао mug
coffee mustard-pot горчичница
coffee beans зерна pepper-box перечница
light (white) с молоком plate
strong dessert
black dinner
iced кофе глясе plateful полная тарелка
to grind (ground, ground) coffee молоть soup глубокая
to make coffee варить plate-basket корзинка для вилок, ножей
to take coffee salt-cellar солонка
lemonade [lemned] лимонад sauce-boat соусник
sherry херес saucer [s:s] блюдце
tea spoon ложка
blend of tea сорт чая dessert
strong tea
weak sugar-basin [besn] сахарница
to have (take) tea sugar-tongs [tz] щипцы для сахара
to make tea tea-kettle
to stir [st:] tea мешать ложечкой tea-pot
the tea draws настаивается tea-set чайный сервиз
water tray поднос
a glass of water
drinking water
fresh
mineral
soda
whisky
a drop of whisky глоток
wine
dry
 Proverbs and sayings
Cast no greedy eye at another man’s pie.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.
The taste of the pudding lies in its eating.
Drunkness reveals what soberness conceals.
To jump out of the frying pan into the fire.
Eat at pleasure, drink with measure.
Every cook praises his own broth.
Hungry bellies have no ears.
A watched pot never boils.
Great boast, small roast.
Tastes differ.
He that would eat the fruit must climb the tree.
Appetite comes with eating.
The grapes are sour.
Dry bread at home is better than roast meat abroad.
A spoon is dear when lunch time is near.
Better a small fish than an empty dish. = Half a loaf is better than none.
Man shall not live by bread alone.
Call me a pot but heat me not.
The first pancake is always lumpy.
As you brew so must you drink.
A hungry man is an angry man.
Hungry bellies have no ears.
The rotten apple injures its neighbours.

Stage A
Approaching the Topic
Read, intone and learn by heart the following text:
Meals in Britain
A traditional English breakfast is a very big meal – sausages, bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms…
But nowadays many people just have cereal with milk and sugar, or toast with marmalade, jam, or honey.
Marmalade and jam are not the same! Marmalade is made from oranges and jam is made from other fruit.
The traditional breakfast drink is tea, which people have with cold milk. Some people have coffee, often
instant coffee, which is made with just hot water. Many visitors to Britain find coffee disgusting.
For many people lunch is a quick meal. In cities there are a lot of sandwich bars, where office
workers can choose the kind of bread they want – brown, white, or a roll – and then all sorts of salad and
meat or fish to go in the sandwich. Pubs often serve good, cheap food, both hot and cold. School-children
can have a hot meal at school, but many just take a snack from home – a sandwich, a drink, some fruit, and
perhaps some crisps.
“Tea” means two things. It is a drink and meal! Some people have afternoon tea, with sandwiches,
cakes, and, of course, a cup of tea. Cream teas are popular. You have scones (a kind of cake) with cream
and jam.
The evening meal is the main meal of the day for many people. They usually have it quite early,
between 6.00 and 8.00, and often the whole family eats together.
On Sundays many families have a traditional lunch. They have roast meat, either beef, lamb, chicken,
or pork, with potatoes, vegetables, and gravy. Gravy is a sauce made from the meat juices.
The British like food from other countries, too, especially Italian, French, Chinese, and Indian.
People often get take-away meals – you buy the food at the restaurant and then bring it home to eat. Eating
in Britain is quite international!

Reading Skills
 Read the following text, retell it in the name of a person who has been on a visit to England. Let the
students ask you questions and make comments on the subject of English cuisine and meals.
An Englishman’s Meals
The usual meals in England are breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner or, in ordinary households, breakfast,
dinner, tea and supper. Breakfast is generally a bigger meal than they have on the Continent.
In the morning an Englishman has his favourite breakfast of cornflakes with milk and sugar or
porridge followed by fried bacon and eggs. A boiled egg is eaten with a small spoon with some salt. With it
he will have either bread and butter or toast and butter. Some marmalade might be spread on the toast and
butter. Perhaps some fruit will also be eaten. For a change you can have cold ham, or perhaps fish, some
coffee and a roll.
But whether he in fact gets such a meal depends on the state of his housekeeping budget.
Breakfast is often a quick meal, because the father of the family has to get away to his work, the
children have to go to school, and the mother has her housework to do.
At midday people have their meals at home. Those who live alone or who cannot get home during
the day from their work sometimes have meals in restaurants. Factory workers usually eat in their canteens.
The main meal of the day is called dinner. Dinner is eaten either in the middle of the day or in the
evening. If it is eaten in the evening (about 7 o’clock), the midday meal is called lunch (about one o’clock).
If dinner is in the middle of the day, the evening meal is called supper.
The usual midday meal consists of two courses – a meat course accompanied by plenty of vegetables.
After it comes sweet pudding or some stewed fruit.
Most Englishmen like what they call good plain food. Usually they have beefsteaks, chops, roast beef
and fried fish and chips.
They are not overfond of soup, remarking that it fills them without leaving sufficient room for the
more important meat course.
You can hardly call afternoon tea a meal. This may mean a cup of tea and a cake taken in the sitting-
room or at work. For the leisured classes it is a social occasion when people often come in for a chat over
their cup of tea. But some people like to have the so-called “high tea” which is quite a substantial meal. They
have it between five and six o’clock. In a well-to-do family it will consist of ham, tongue and tomatoes and
salad, or kipper, or tinned salmon, or sausage, with strong tea, bread and butter, then stewed fruit, or a tin of
pears, apricot or pineapple with cream and custard, and pastries or a bun.
The evening meal, as we have said already, goes under various names: tea, “high tea”, dinner or
supper depending upon its size and also the social standing of those eating it.
In some English homes the midday meal is the chief one of the day while in the evening they have a
much simpler supper – an omelette, or sausages, sometimes bacon and eggs, or whatever they can afford.
Ask all possible questions on the underlined sentences in the text.

Develop your scanning habits. Read and mark in memory the information to search about:
Traditional British Cooking
High tea is a purely British institution. Though foods for high tea and supper are mostly
interchangeable, it is more the custom to have something cold for high tea and something hot for supper.
The turkey compared with the hen is a new resident in Britain. Contrary to common belief it is not
the oldest British Christmas bird; the goose is much more traditional. America can claim the turkey for her
own where it is a “must” for Thanksgiving Day in November. The best turkeys come from Norfolk and due
to modern rearing methods are available all the year round.
Hare and venison (оленина) are the best known of game meats in Britain. Venison is the culinary
name for all breeds of the deer and the free ranging forest deer from Scotland are considered the choicest.
Veal is not typically traditional British meat: it was never popular among working people in the
country. In fact it was rather suspect, what was wrong with the calf that had to be killed?
What we call roast meat today is really baked meat; roasting was done in front of the open fire with
roasting jack and screen. Roasted meat should be cooked in an oven tin or a hot oven, so that it comes into
contact with dry heat on all sides to get the characteristic brown “crust” (корочка). To a housewife meat is
the thing and a vegetable course is a “hit-or-miss affair” (a dish which comes to table from time to time).
Self-control questions:
 1. Is high tea a purely British institution? 2. What is meant by high tea in Britain? 3. Are food courses
mainly interchangeable? 4. What is customary to have for high tea and supper? 5. What is the oldest
Christmas bird in Britain? 6. What bird is more traditional for a Christmas table? 7. When do the British
serve turkeys? 8. Do the British get the bird all the year round? 9. Name the best game meat used in Britain?
10. What breed of the deer is considered the choicest? 11. Why isn’t veal popular in Britain? 12. How is
roasted meat prepared? 13. How does a housewife look upon meat and vegetable courses?

Read the text below and answer comprehension questions on it:

Eating out
In most countries, East or West, eating out has now become very popular. A lot of eating places
ranging from high-class restaurants to factory canteens cater for all tastes at various prices. Thus small, often
self-service restaurants, cafes or snack-bars serve quite cheap food while traditional restaurants are famous
for high quality (and expensive) cooking.
Normally a meal in a restaurant takes time. Usually you tell the waiter what you want for the first
two courses: he will take your order for dessert and coffee later. When paying the bill it is customary to tip
waiters, however, in most restaurants a service charge is nowadays added to avoid individual tipping. But if
the waiter has been very helpful some people like to give a small tip.
If you want to have a quick lunch you may decide on a snack-bar, a café or even your office vending
machine where you can get sandwiches and other snacks.
Every country has its own popular places which traditionally specialize in certain dishes. For
example, kebab grills, fried chicken are quite common in the Arab world. There are also hamburger
restaurants in most places in the East nowadays which specialize in cheap meals. Very popular indeed are
take-away places serving fried (grilled) chicken. In Baghdad, for instance, you go to a take-away restaurant
or a small shop, give your order which is cooked while you wait and packed in plastic bags for you to take
away. You are sure to enjoy the chicken, hot and juicy, seasoned and garnished with pickled onions,
cucumbers, garlic and whatnot.
Staying at a hotel eases the matter considerably. At the hotel restaurant you are offered European
cuisine along with specially prepared dishes, various hors d’oeuvres, wines and soft drinks.
First-class five star hotels treat their guests to “Swedish Board” which gives you a quick and
delicious meal. Other services such as Coffee Shops are also commonly available.
Notes:
A lot of eating places ranging from high-class restaurants to factory canteens cater for all tastes –
Многочисленные кафе, столовые, рестораны, от рядовых до первоклассных, предлагают блюда на
любой вкус.
it is customary to tip waiters – принято платить официанту чаевые
you may decide on – вы можете остановить выбор на …
“Swedish Board” – шведский стол
coffee shop – небольшой ресторан, специализирующийся на приготовлении сладостей, легкой
закуски, завтраков.
are … commonly available – встречаются повсюду.

Comprehension questions:
1. What places would you choose if you feel like eating out?
2. What eating places usually serve cheap and quick food?
3. Is tipping customary in restaurants nowadays?
4. Will you go to a restaurant if you want a quick meal?
5. What are traditional dishes peculiar for the Arab world countries?
6. What restaurants specialize in cheap and quick meals?
7. Why are hamburger restaurants popular all over the world?
8. Why are take-away restaurants so popular today?
9. How do hotel restaurants cater for their guests?
 Read the text about Russian meals and compare them with British using words in degrees of
comparison. Which cuisine do you like more? Why?
Meals in Russia
The Russian custom of having meals varies from family to family but we generally eat three meals a
day. They are breakfast, dinner and supper. Some people also have late afternoon tea.
Breakfast generally comes before eight o’clock in the morning, as most people start for work and the
children must leave for school. Some Russian families have a light continental breakfast. But most of the
families make breakfast quite a big meal of the day. It usually includes some kind of porridge, fried eggs or
sausages and vegetables followed by coffee or tea.
Dinner is the main and the biggest meal of the day. Russians generally eat somewhere between one
or two o’clock. The working people eat dinner away from home as a rule. Every factory and office has a
dining-room or some kind of cafeteria. They generally plan some meat for dinner or fish for a change. In
addition to the meat dish Russian dinner always includes some soup, potatoes or rice as garnish. They finish
dinner with coffee, tea, milk or juice.
Supper is the third meal of the day and the lightest one. It comes somewhere between seven and nine
o’clock in the evening. It consists of some sandwiches, fruit or biscuits and tea or hot milk.

Remember the following formulas of etiquette concerning table manners. Do you often observe them
at table? Under what circumstances don’t you keep these rules? Tell your partner the new information you
learnt from the text.
Table Manners
1) Sit straight and close to the table. Don’t put your elbows on the table. Don’t cross your legs or spread
them all over the place under the table.
2) Never lean across the table or over your neighbours to get something out of your reach. Just say:
“Please, pass the bread.” or “Would you mind passing the bread, please?”
3) Your hand is quite correct for getting a slice of bread for yourself, because it is you who is going to eat
it.
4) When eating one should produce as little noise or sound as possible. It is decidedly bad manners to
speak with your mouth full.
5) At a small party do not start eating until all are served. At a large party it is not necessary to wait for all.
The hostess gives a signal to her guest saying: “Start eating, please.”
6) Do not empty your glass too quickly – it will be promptly refilled and you will find that you have drunk
more than you intended.
7) There is no rule about eating everything on your plate to indicate that you have had enough, place knife
and fork together not criss-cross.
8) Don’t hold your spoon in your fist. The fork should be held in your left hand, the knife in your right.
9) It is wrong first to cut all the meal you have got on your plate in small pieces and then eat it. Cut off a
slice at a time, eat it, then cut off another, holding your knife in the right hand and your fork in the left.
10) If you have chicken, you should cut off and eat as much as possible by using your knife and fork; the
remaining part eat by holding the piece in your hand by the end of the bone.
11) Fish dishes are generally eaten without using a knife. Anything that is soft enough to be comfortably
eaten with spoon or fork is eaten without using a knife.
12) Never cool your food by blowing at it. Just wait a bit, there’s no hurry.
13) Don’t put your tea in your saucer. Don’t leave your spoon in the glass while drinking, put it on your
saucer.
14) While eating stewed fruit one should take the stones from his mouth on his spoon and place them on his
own saucer.
15) Choosing a meal in a foreign country can be a problem sometimes because dishes are called unknown
names. Do not guess – ask the waiter to help you.

Brush up the knowledge of the etiquette at table by answering the questions:

1. What is the correct way to sit at table?
2. Should you use a fork or a knife for taking a slice of bread from the bread-plate?
3. What is the correct way of using a spoon, a fork and a knife?
 4. How must one eat meat and fish?
5. What are the dishes for which a knife should not be used?
6. What is the right way to eat chicken?
7. What should one do with the stones while eating stewed fruit?
8. What is the appropriate place for a spoon after stirring tea?
9. How should one eat a cake?
10. What should you say to refuse a second helping?
11. What should you say if you like or dislike the dish?

Conversation Practice

Dramatize the following dialogues in class and build up yours on the suggested topics, use marked
words and word combinations:
1. The Smiths at Breakfast
Mrs. Smith: Shall I put some more sugar on your porridge, John?
John: No more, Mum, thank you. I’d like some butter instead.
Mrs. S: Ann, please bring some more milk from the kitchen.
Mr. Smith: Why aren’t you eating anything, Kitty? You are so slow. Look, Ann is already finishing her
porridge.
Kitty: I don’t like porridge. I’m just thirsty. Give me some tea and cakes, Mum.
Mrs. S: Now, be a good girl, Kitty. Have some more porridge. We’re going to have bacon and eggs, and then
you will get your tea with toast and marmalade.
Mr. S: Will you please give me a little more porridge, dear?
Mrs. S: just a moment. (Mrs. Smith passes him his plate.) What about bacon and eggs? Will you have
some?
Mr. S: Yes, I’ll have some, please. And then a cup of strong tea. I’m afraid, I must leave in a quarter of an
hour or so.

1. At the Canteen
Ann: I think it’s high time to have a bite. I’m hungry.
Bob: So am I. I see you are ready to go down to the canteen. I’m just finishing this article. Will you wait
a minute please?
A: Yes, hurry up, then.
B: Is there anything to your taste on the menu?
A: Oh, yes, all kinds of things. Let’s have some soup, clear soup, perhaps?
B: I don’t think I’ll have any soup today. I’d like some salad to begin with.
A: Will you have mixed salad, chops and mashed potatoes?
B: With pleasure. What do you say to a bottle of beer?
A: No beer, thanks. I prefer a glass of mineral water or just a cup of tea.
B: All right. Tea then. Will you pass me the mustard, please?
A: Here you are. As for me, I never take mustard or pepper.
B: You don’t say so!
A: Look! The waitress is already bringing our tea.
B: We want neither ham nor sausage, do we?
A: No, ham as well as sausage is out of the question. I’d like some fruit, apples or oranges.
B: Yes, but you forget about the meeting of our English club. We must leave at once to be in time for the
beginning of the discussion.
A: Right you are. Come along! Let’s pay for the dinner and be off.

2. At the Restaurant
Fred: Let’s go in here. The restaurants aren’t very crowded in the daytime on weekdays, and I like a
change from the cafeteria now and then. Here’s a table.
Kate: Let’s see what’s on the menu. I’ll have tomato soup, and stewed meat with mashed potatoes and
peas.
F: And I’ll take broth and steak with vegetables.
Waiter: How do you want the steak – rare, medium or well done?
F: Well done, please, and will you please bring a bottle of water?
W: Certainly.
K: Tomato soup is my favourite. It’s delicious. I hope you like your soup too.
F: I’m not enjoying it at all. It tastes awful. Ah, here comes the meat. That stew smells lovely, Kate. I
almost wish that I had ordered it too.
K: But don’t you like your steak? It looks lovely.
F: Oh, yes. I do! It’s very tender.
W: Would you like some fruit?
K: Oh, could we have some coffee, please?
W: Black or white?
F: Black, please, and two cakes. As we are in a hurry could you have the bill ready?
W: The two together?
F: Yes, thank you.

***
Waiter: What would you like for dinner?
Mr. Clark: We’d like two steaks.
W: Would you like any vegetables?
Mr. C: Yes, some peas and roast potatoes.
Mrs. C: I’d like some chips, please.
W: Would you like anything to start with?
Mr. C: Yes, salad for us.
Mrs. C: I don’t want any salad. I’d prefer some tomato juice.
W: And you , Miss?
Mary: I’d like grapefruit first and then roast beef and some pudding. Have you got any cauliflower?
W: Sorry, we haven’t got any today.
M: Oh, I want some carrots then. I don’t want any potatoes. I usually eat a small dinner. I’m slimming.
W: (addressing the boy) What would you like?
Bob: A lobster and some boiled potatoes and some French beans.
W: Would you like any wine?
Bob: Yes, red wine.
Mr. C: (laughing) A glass of milk for him, please.
W: Yes, sir.
***
Waiter: Good afternoon, sir. You have a reservation?
Mr. Morley: Yes, the name is Morley. I booked a table by telephone.
W: Are you by yourself, sir?
Mr. M: Oh, yes.
W: Would you mind this table by the window?
Mr. M: Not at all.
W: Here’s the menu, sir. What would you like to start with?
Mr. M: I think I’ll have the oxtail soup.
W: Yes, sir. And what would you like to follow? I’d recommend the roast beef.
Mr. M: That sounds very nice. I’d like it well done, please.
W: Certainly, sir. What vegetables would you like with it? Cauliflower, spinach, or French beans?
Mr. M: Cauliflower with a cheese sauce.
W: What would you like for dessert, sir?
Mr. M: Oh, no dessert. Just coffee, please. And will you please bring me the bill at once?
W: Of course, sir.
***
There’s Nothing Like Roast Saddle of Mutton
Mr. Cawley: Waiter!
W: Yes, sir. What will you order?
Mr. C: Will you please bring me the bill of fare?
W: Excuse me. Here it is.
Mr. C: Oh, you have quite a long list of dishes. Well, what would you recommend for the first course?
W: You mean soups? I think there’s nothing like chicken soup with pies. It’s our cook’s favourite job.
Mr. C: Indeed? All right then chicken soup. And choosing a grill, what would you offer?
W: If you want to have a marvellous meal, order roast saddle of mutton. You’ll enjoy it, I assure you.
Well, what about the sweet, sir? A cup of coffee, cakes, apple juice, drinks?
Mr. C: Just bring me a glass of juice for a start.
***
Alan: Will you show us the bill of fare?
W: Here you are, sir. And this is the wine list.
A: Well, you may remove it as we are not going to take any drink. We’re driving, you know. We mean
to have a snack and that’s all. Have you got lobsters?
W: I’m sorry, sir, but they are not on the menu.
A: And what about salmon?
W: We have run out of it.
A: What a nuisance! Well, what is that famous food you treat your customers to?
W: Chicken broth is our speciality, sir.

3. At Supper
Mrs. A: Well, let’s get supper ready.
John: What are we having for supper?
Mrs. A: Fish.
J: And chips?
Mrs. A: No, just boiled potatoes and lettuce. I’m afraid I haven’t time for chips.
J: Oh, Mum, let’s have chips.
Mrs. A: I said I hadn’t time, didn’t I?
Mary: I’ll make the chips if you like.
Mrs. A: All right, but get on with it. And John, you’d better set the table, will you?
J: Okay, Mum.
(During supper)
Mr. A: Pass me the tomato sauce, will you, John?
J: Here you are, Dad.
Mr. A: Thanks.
Mrs. A: Another piece of fish, John?
J: Yes, please a small one and another helping of chips if I may.
Mrs. A: Yes, of course. There’s plenty left. Help yourself to some lettuce, Mary, it’s good for you.
Mary: No, thank you, Mummy, you gave me such a large helping.
Mrs. A: A bit of cheese then?
Mary: Yes, please, and I could do with a piece of that nice brown bread.
Mrs. A: Here you are, dear.

4. English Cooking
Brenda: Do you miss home cooking a lot or are you getting used to English food, Olga?
Olga: Oh, Oh, there are quite a lot of dishes I miss badly. Our food is different from yours. But I must
say English food is much better than I thought it was going to be.
B: Really? What are your favourite English dishes?
O: First of all I think your dairy products are so fresh and your meat is usually so tender …
B: Yes, but what English dishes do you particularly like? Or don’t you like any of them?
O: Well, I’m a little tired of your fish and chips, and roast beef and Yorkshire pudding is only good
when properly cooked at home. I don’t like the way you cook your vegetables either, and …
B: So you don’t really like any of our food, do you?
O: Oh no, I didn’t say that.
B: Well?
O: I’m very fond of the steak and kidney pudding and I like your apple pies….
B: It’s very nice of you to say so.
O: And I think your cooked breakfasts are simply marvellous.
B: Glad you like them.

5. In a Tea-shop
John: Hello, Mary. I’m glad you were able to come.
Mary: Hello, John. I’m afraid I’m rather late. Have you been waiting long?
J: Oh, no, only a few minutes. Let’s sit over there by the window, shall we?
M: Okay.
J: Here’s an empty table. Now let me help you with your coat.
M: Thank you, John.
J: Now then, which do you prefer: tea or coffee?
M: I think I’d like tea, please.
J: Waitress! Can we have a pot of tea for two, please?
W: Yes, sir. And what would you like to eat?
M: I’d like bread and butter, a cheese sandwich and some cake.
J: So would I. Have you got any of your special chocolate cakes today?
W: Yes, we have. I’ll bring you some. Anything else?
Mary and John: No, thank you.
W: Tea for two, bread and butter and cheese sandwich and chocolate cakes.
J: That’s right.
W: Thank you.
 6. In a Café
Alison: Have we time for another coffee?
Richard: I think so.
A: Shall I give you some?
R: Yes, please.
A: Do you take sugar?
R: No, thank you.
A: Will you have a cigarette?
R: In a moment.
A: Have you paid the bill?
R: Not yet.
A: Shouldn’t we be going now?
R: All right.
A: Shall we take a taxi?
R: If you like.
7. At Table
Nick: I say, mum, I’m terribly hungry. I haven’t had a thing all day. I could do with a snack.
Mother: Why, you’re just in time for dinner.
N: No soup for me. I’d rather have beef steak.
M: Are you quite sure you wouldn’t like some soup? It tastes all right.
N: There’s nothing like steak and chips. I’ll go and wash my hands.
M: How’s the steak? I’m afraid it’s underdone.
N: Oh, it’s just to my liking. I don’t like meat overdone. May I have another helping of chips?
M: Yes, certainly. Hand me your plate, please, and help yourself to the salad. Just to see how it tastes.
N: Oh, it’s delicious.
M: Shall I put some mustard on your steak?
N: No, thanks, I don’t care for mustard. I’d rather take a spoonful of sauce. Pass me the sauce, please.
M: Here you are. What will you have: tea or coffee?
N: A cup of tea.
M: Any milk? Shall I put butter on your bread?
N: No, thanks. I can’t see the sugar-basin.
M: It’s behind the bread-plate. Have a better look.
N: I’m afraid it’s the salt-cellar.
M: So it is. In a hurry I must have left it in the dresser.
N: It’s all right. I’ll get it myself.
M: Help yourself to the cake. There’s nothing else to follow.
N: Mmm. I’ve had a delicious meal, mum. Thanks a lot.

6. Western-Style Food
Bill and Jane are a young couple from New Zealand. They were staying in the same hotel as the Taylors; in
fact they were neighbours, as they occupied the next cottage. They had arrived a week before the Taylors and knew a
restaurant which served good food. They suggested going there for a meal, so the four of them went there that evening
for dinner. Although they hadn’t reserved a table, they managed to get in. there was a long menu with several western-
style dishes and a wine list with some local and some imported wines. Bill was fond of the local wine and persuaded
the Taylors to try it.
Bill: What would you like to drink? Have you tried maki?
Mrs. T: Er, no. What’s maki?
B: The local wine. It’s made from mangoes – they drink it with every course.
Mrs. T: Is it very strong?
B: Quite strong, but you can add water if you like.
Mr. T: Let’s try it. Shall we order a couple of bottles? May I fill your glass?
J: Thank you.
Mrs. T: I think I’ll start with the soup.
B: Actually, you finish with the soup here.
Mrs. T: Really?
Mr. T: I think I’ll have the steak. (to the waiter) I’d like it well done, please.
Waiter: Right, sir.
Jane: The curry sauce is worth trying.
Mrs. T: Sorry, I can’t eat mussels (мидии). It makes me ill. I think I’d rather have the chicken pie .
 Speak of the breakfast you had, making use of some vocabulary items from the list.
Give reasons for approval and disapproval:
an inviting-looking dish a sickly-looking, gluey mess
juicy it had a queer salty taste
really first-class a horrible sloppy mass
there’s none like it watery and tasteless
to give the satisfaction undrinkable coffee
to the eye and tongue uneatable cabbage
tender, melting in the mouth as tough as old boots
well-flavoured food with no particular flavour
a special delicacy underdone/overdone
a real thing plain food
lovely coffee soggy
tempting things disgusting
mouth-watering selection of half-baked
creamy cakes and delicious pastries hastily prepared
marvellously satisfying unpleasantly cold and damp
quite decent actually burnt
delicate sandwiches sodden vegetables
a perfect cup of tea untidy badly made

Stage B
Vocabulary Practice
I.
Fill in prepositions if necessary:
a.
1. Pass … me the salt, please. 2. Pass the salt … me. 3. Give the bread … me. 4. He is going to come … half
an hour. 5. They have breakfast … 8 o’clock … the morning. 6. What do you see … the picture? 7. Have some fruit. -
… pleasure. 8. Help yourself … some fruit, please. 9. I prefer an apple … ice-cream. 10. The children are ready …
breakfast. They are waiting … their father. 11. As … me I prefer a piece … cake … sweets. 12. Let’s have some
herring to begin … . 13. What do you say … an ice-cream? 14. A waitress is coming … our table. 15. The pudding is
… your taste, I hope. 16. I’m fond … vegetables and fruit. 17. We must pay … the bill now. 18. Eating sweets now is
… … the question. 19. In the park Bob treated us … an ice-cream each. 20. I know your mother is suffering from liver
trouble and keeps … a strict diet. 21. He came down … breakfast though he did not feel well. 22. At noon all workers
have a break … lunch. 23. … dessert they served plum pudding. 24. Mutton usually disagrees … me. 25. Mr.
Pickwick raised his glass … the well-being and happiness of the bride and bridegroom.
b.
There is no dinner … home today. So, let us dine … . – Where shall we go? – I recommend you to visit the
café … the corner … the street. They have a good choice … things there. Here we are. Let us sit … the table … the
door. What would you like to have … dinner? – Roast chicken … the main course, vegetables … garnish and some
fruit … dessert. – Good. And what shall we do … dinner? Shall we go … the cinema? – No, there is a good film …
TV. Let’s go … home.
c.
Tom and Nick are going … the canteen to have dinner. It is only half … one but there are many people … the
canteen already. Some … them are reading newspapers, others are eating their dinner. The friends always enjoy …
their meals there.
They go … a small round table … the window, take a menu-card … the next table and begin to read it. Tom
doesn’t want to have any soup today. He is going to take some roast beef and vegetables. Nick takes some cabbage
soup … himself, some fried fish and potatoes. He goes over … the buffet and soon comes back … some tomato and
cucumber salad. Then a waitress comes … … their table and brings them the soup, meat and fish. She also brings
some mustard, pepper and salt and puts a knife, fork, spoon … the table … front … each person.
Nick wants to have some ice-cream … dessert but as it is not ready yet, he takes a piece … cake and a glass …
tea. Tom orders some fruit as he always prefers fruit … cakes and ice-cream.
The boys are usually satisfied … their meals … the canteen. So they finish their dessert and pay the waitress
… the dinner. Then they put … their coats and go … … the street.
 II.
Insert articles where necessary:
a.
1. Dinner isn’t ready yet. You’ll have to wait … little. 2. You were invited to … dinner at … Johnsons’. How
did you find … dinner? What did you do after … dinner? 3. Children, wash your hands before … breakfast. 4. What
breakfast did you have in … morning: … light or heavy one? 5. I like to have … light supper. 6. What did you have
for … lunch? Was … lunch substantial? Did you have … soup for … first course? How did you find … soup? 7.
Would you like … white or … brown bread? - … piece of brown bread, please. – How do you find … bread? – Thank
you, it tastes good. 8. do you like to talk at … table? – No, I prefer to listen to … latest news at … table. 9. Before …
breakfast Michael entered Julia’s room: “The boys have gone off to play golf. They asked if they need come back to
… lunch.” 10. She was not out to give the mother … perfect Sunday night supper. 11. She picked at … delicious
breakfast Doreen had prepared for her. 12. I don’t care for … late dinner. 13. At … breakfast Alison looked very
gloomy. 14. … dinner lasted a long while and was great fun. 15. We sat crosslegged one on each end of the bed and
shared … big turkey dinner from the big tray between us. 16. Eva had been especially silent during … dinner. 17. You
don’t think you swallowed a fish bone at … tea? 18. As soon as he was dressed he sat to … light French breakfast. 18.
I’m afraid I have to cancel … dinner tonight. 19. He and the captain sat a long time over … lunch. 20. I’m going to
find a place for … lunch. 21. She arranged … little breakfast for herself. 22. It was during the first part of … dinner
that he was very quiet. 23. We were having … excellent dinner cooked by Mary Mills. 24. “I haven’t noticed that …
dinner is any different from usual,” he said. 25. Carrie had prepared … good dinner at the flat but was in a solemn and
reflective mood. 26. It was two o’clock in the afternoon and Harold was still home at … lunch.
b.
English Tea
… trouble with … tea is that originally it was quite … good drink.
So … group of … most eminent British scientists put their heads together, and made … complicated
biological experiment to find … way of spoiling it.
To … eternal glory of … British science their labour bore … fruit. They suggested that if you don’t drink it
clear, or with … lemon or … rum and sugar, but pour … few drops of … cold milk into it, and no sugar at all, the
desired object is achieved. Once this refreshing, aromatic, oriental beverage was successfully transformed into …
colourless and tasteless gargling-water, it suddenly became … national drink of … Great Britain and … Ireland – still
retaining … high-sounding title of … tea.
There are … occasions when you must not refuse … cup of … tea, otherwise you are judged … exotic and
barbarous bird without … hope of ever being able to take your place in … civilized society.
If you are invited to … English home at five o’clock in … morning you get … cup of … tea. It is either
brought by … heartily smiling hostess or … almost malevolently silent maid.
Then you have … tea for … breakfast; then you have … tea at eleven o’clock in … morning; then after …
lunch; then you have … tea for … tea; then after … supper; and again at eleven o’clock at … night.
You definitely must not follow my example. I sleep at five o’clock in … morning; I have … coffee for …
breakfast; I drink … innumerable cups of … black coffee during … day; I have … most unorthodox and exotic teas
even at … tea-time.
… the other day, for instance – I just mention it as … terrifying example to show you how low some people
can sink – I wanted … cup of … coffee and … piece of … cheese for … tea. It was … exceptionally hot day and my
wife made some cold coffee and put it in … refrigerator, where it froze and became one solid block. On … other hand,
she left … cheese on … kitchen table, where it melted. So I had … piece of … coffee and … glass of … cheese.
c.
Meals in England
It might be useful to you to know what sort of meals English people have and how they behave at … table, for
… people of one country behave rather differently from those of … other. … old proverb says, “When in Rome, do as
… Romans do” and this is … good advice.
In many English homes four meals are served: they are … breakfast, … lunch, … tea, and … dinner. These
are … meals that are served in … homes of … well-to-do people.
… breakfast may be served any time from seven to nine. It consists of … porridge (made of … oats or …
barley, … milk, … sugar or … salt), bacon and eggs, … buttered toast or … bread-and-butter with … marmalade.
Instead of … bacon and eggs, … fish may be served. Either … tea or … coffee is drunk at … breakfast.
… lunch comes at about one o’clock. It generally consists of … cold meat, … potatoes and … salad made of
… lettuce, … cucumber, … tomatoes, … carrots, … beetroot, etc. On … table are … pepper, … salt, … mustard and
sometimes … vinegar. After that there is … bread or … biscuits and … cheese. Most people drink … water at lunch
time, some drink … beer or … wine.
 … afternoon tea, taken between four and five is … most informal meal of … day. If you are … friend of …
family you may drop in for … tea without … invitation. Very often it is not served at … table; … members of …
family and … visitors take … tea in … sitting-room. By the way do not help yourself to … cake first; … bread-and-
butter first, then … cake if there is any. Another piece of … advice: do not put more than one piece of … bread or …
cake on your plate at … same time.
… dinner is … most substantial meal of … day and is … very formal meal. Many people even wear special
clothes for … dinner, so if you are asked out to … dinner you must find out whether you are expected to wear …
dinner suit. … dinner is generally served about half past seven. … head of … family sits at one end of … table, his
wife sits at … other. If there is … guest he generally sits in … place of … honour, which is to … right of … lady of …
house. The first course is … soup. Then comes … fish; there is often … knife and fork of … special shape by each
person for this course. If you are in … unfamiliar surroundings, keep … eye open for what … others are doing.
Remember … proverb about … Romans.
… next course is the most important; it generally consists of a joint of … meat (… beef or … lamb) or else …
leg of … lamb or … pork, or it may be … chicken or … duck. With it are served various vegetables, peas, beans, …
cabbage or cauliflower. Some sort of … pudding is generally … fourth course. To show that he has finished with …
course, … person lays his knife and fork on his plate with … handles towards him. After … pudding … table is
cleared and … dessert is brought. This is … fruit of various kinds and … nuts. … Port (… red wine from Portugal) is
passed around. At this stage … ladies may get up and retire to … drawing room. When … ladies rise, … men get up
too, out of … respect, and resume their seats when … ladies have left … room.
It must not be imagined that all … English people eat like this. More than 90% of … English people have their
dinner in … middle of … day. In most of … houses … meals are … breakfast, dinner, tea and … supper, which is …
cold meal for which nothing is cooked. All these meals are much simpler than those served in … homes of … rich.

III.
Make up situations for the following sentences:
1. That’s the best dinner I’ve had for years.
2. She, despite her increasing flow of tears, went into the kitchen to prepare a cold lunch.
3. They quarreled at breakfast.
4. He had to eat some cold meat and salad for supper.
5. Mike was invariably late for lunch.

IV.
Supply the correct form of the word that fits suitably in the blank space:
Healthy Eating
pride, research, conclude, develop, ill, grow, danger, solve, care, difference, courage:
In the past, any mother would be … if her children were round and slightly fat. Those days are gone. … have
now reached the … that too much fat and sugar in children’s diets are a major factor in the … of heart diseases and
other … when they are older.
However, … children need to eat a wide range of foods, and their general health could be … by cutting our
particular ones. Psychologists say that the … is not to change eating habits too fast, but to do it … so that children do
not lose muscle in addition to fat. Parents should present food a little …, spread butter thinly and avoid putting sugar
on the table. Children should also be … to take part in sports: this way they will be using the calories that they have
eaten.

V.
For each of the blanks supply only one suitable word:
Cooking is fun once you know how to do it. The easiest … to learn is to borrow … basic cookery books from
the local library or from a friend and … experimenting. Spend a couple of hours reading through the … until you find
one that you think sounds tasty.
… a list of the necessary ingredients and check the fridge and cupboards to … sure you have … you need.
There is nothing worse … starting to cook a meal and then realizing you don’t have … essential like lemons or
breadcrumbs. It is really … to check that you have all the basic equipment like cheese graters and knives as well. The
recipes in most cookery books have been tested many … so the instructions … be accurate and clear. Read them
through carefully and assemble all the things you … need. Another thing, … a lot of people forget unfortunately, is
that cleaning up as you go along makes cooking easier. My mother; … was a superb cook, always said, “The best
meals come from a tidy kitchen.”
 Stage C
Humour
Read, memorize and perform the following jokes in class, then give your comments on them:
1.
Swift, in traveling, called a hospitable house. The lady of the mansion, rejoiced to have so distinguished a
guest, with great eagerness asked him what he would have for dinner. “Will you have an apple-pie, sir? Will you have
a gooseberry-pie, sir? Will you have a cherry-pie, sir? Will you have a plum-pie, sir?”
“Any pie, madam, but a mag-pie!”
2.
A farmer who went to a large city to see the sights engaged a room at a hotel and before retiring asked the
clerk at what time the meals were served.
“We serve breakfast from 7 to 11, dinner from 12 to 3, and supper from 6 to 8,” explained the clerk.
“Look here,” asked the farmer in surprise, “What time am I going to see the town?”
3.
It was dinner time. A customer entered a restaurant and sat down at a table. He asked for the menu and said to
the waiter. “Here is a sixpence for you, tell me what you can recommend me.”
The waiter leaned over and whispered: “I shall recommend you to go to another restaurant.”

4.
Young wife: “Do you think I’m a good cook, darling?”
Husband: “I think you’re perfect.”
Wife: “Which of my dishes do you like best?”
Husband: “Tinned lobsters, my darling.”

5.
“What’s the matter with you?” the wife demanded. “Monday you liked beans, Tuesday you liked beans,
Wednesday you liked beans, now Thursday, all of a sudden, you don’t like beans!”

6.
One day a mother said to her boy: “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” “Then, mother, let us
eat the remainder of the plum-pudding today,” answered the little boy.
7.
Husband (angrily): “What! No supper ready? This is the limit! I’m going to a restaurant.”
Wife: “Wait just five minutes.”
Husband: “Will it be ready then?”
Wife: “No, but then I’ll go with you.”

8.
Customer: Waiter! What is this?
Waiter: It’s bean soup, sir.
Customer: No matter what it’s been. What is it now?!

9.
The family sat down to their midday meal. Both Charlie and Jimmie were very fond of peaches. Now on the
plate there was only one nice peach. Suddenly Charlie began to cry. His mother asked him what was the matter.
“I’m crying because I’m very sorry for Jimmie as there isn’t a peach for him”, came the reply.

10.
A customer had ordered dinner at a restaurant and was waiting for it a very long time. When the waiter
appeared at last, the customer said:
“Are you the waiter who took my order?”
“Yes, sir,” was the answer.
“H’m still looking well, I see,” said the customer. “How are your grandchildren?”

11.
Young husband: This meat is not cooked, nor is the pie!
Young wife: I did it like the cookery-book says but as the recipe was for four people and we are two I took
half of everything and cooked it for half the time it said.
 12.
The last day of the criminal condemned to death came. He was awakened and asked what he would like for
breakfast. He was told he could have anything he liked.
“Well,” said he, “I think I should like to have some peaches or strawberries.”
“You know it’s winter now and there are no peaches or strawberries.”
“Never mind,” said the criminal. “I can wait.”

13.
The starters on the dinner menu at our hotel deep in the Forest of Dean included my favourite dish – moules
marinieres.
They were delicious but I was intrigued by their size. “Where did you get those lovely big mussels?” I asked
our waitress.
“Horse riding,” she replied.
14.
A rich gentleman, walking in his garden before breakfast, met a poor man whom he knew.
“Good morning, sir,” said the poor man, “you have come out very early this morning.”
“I came out to see if I could get an appetite for breakfast. But what are you doing here?” the gentleman asked
suspiciously.
“You see, sir,” answered the poor man, “I just came out to see if I could get a breakfast for my appetite.”

15.
“Why did you give a meal to that tramp? He hadn’t done any work for you, had he?”
“No, he hadn’t. but it was a pleasure to see a man eat a meal without finding fault with the cook.”

16.
Husband: Only bread and cheese for dinner today?
Wife (with a sigh): I’m afraid there’s nothing else. You see, the cutlets caught fire and so did the pie and I had
to use the soup to put the fire out.

Render in English:
a.
1. В котором часу обычно обедает ваша семья? 2. Что у нас сегодня на ужин? 3. Вы сейчас обедаете?
Тогда я позвоню вам через четверть часа. 4. Почему ты ставишь так мало тарелок на стол? Сегодня нас пятеро.
Дедушка приезжает, ты знаешь? 5. Мне приготовить обед к четырем часам? 6. Попробуй кашу. Кажется ты ее
не досолила. 7. Купить овощи и фрукты? 8. Почему вы так поздно завтракаете? 9. Он всегда ужинает дома? 10.
Мне бы хотелось еще молока. 11. Мне хочется пить. Давай возьмем бутылку минеральной воды. 12. Они с
Уолтером были приглашены на обед. 13. Во время завтрака Сара не сказала ни слова. 14. Они вернулись
домой только к девяти часам и съели легкий ужин. 15. Я угощу вас здешним обедом. Моя жена прекрасно
готовит. 16. Вот и они. Как раз вовремя к чаю. 17. За обедом они разговаривали о свадьбе. 18. Когда все
уселись пить чай, Марч сказала, что у нее есть сюрприз. 19. Мы вошли в комнату, где были накрыты столы
для завтрака. 20. Я угощу вас наилучшим ужином, который вы можете получить в этом городе.
b.
21. На завтрак подали кукурузные хлопья с молоком. 22. Невозможно представить английский завтрак
без тостов. 23. Ничего нет вкуснее земляники со сливками! 24. Бифштекс вкусный? – По-моему он не дожарен
немного. – А мне кажется, он как раз такой, как надо. 25. Вы любите жареный картофель? – Обожаю, только
не могу позволить себе есть его каждый день, так как я на диете. 26. Что желаете на второе? – Какое-нибудь
рыбное блюдо. Что бы вы мне порекомендовали? 27. Регулярное питание полезно для здоровья. 28. Сегодня в
меню есть мясные блюда, тушеные овощи, сладкий пудинг, разные закуски и даже мороженое с шоколадом на
десерт. 29. Сколько вам кусочков сахара? – Два, пожалуйста. 30. Вы какой любите чай: крепкий или слабый? –
Не очень крепкий, пожалуйста. 31. Тебе намазать хлеб маслом? – Да, и вареньем. 32. У нас сегодня был легкий
завтрак, и после прогулки мы проголодались. 33. Он наскоро поужинал и принялся за работу. 34. Почему она
любит консервированные ананасы больше, чем свежие? – Не знаю, спроси ее сам. 35. Мы часто угощаем
гостей яблочным пирогом. Мама готовит его великолепно. 36. Почему бы нам не пойти в этот ресторан? Там
всегда большой выбор горячих блюд. 37. Официант! Меню, пожалуйста. 38. Что вы можете порекомендовать
мне из мясных блюд? 39. Что вам подать в качестве гарнира? – Немного картофеля, капусты и тушеной
моркови. 40. Если вы хотите пообедать в этом ресторане, следует заранее заказать столик. 41. Отбивная была
необыкновенно вкусной. Все было хорошо приготовлено, спасибо. 42. Чем вас угостить? Попробуйте салат. –
Спасибо, я его уже ел. Очень вкусно. – Разрешите тогда предложить вам ветчину и сыр. – С удовольствием
возьму кусочек ветчины с горчицей.
 c.
Render in English the gist of the extracts from the book “The Xenophobe’s Guide to the English” by A. Miall and D.
Milsted. Avoid a word-for-word translation:
Еда и напитки
Англия никогда не отличалась авантюризмом в области кулинарии. “Простая добрая кухня” и “честно
заработанный хлеб” – очень высоко ценимые понятия, содержащие намек на то, что чересчур сложные и чересчур
красиво оформленные блюда заработаны явно нечестным путем.
Сомерсет Моэм заметил, что в Англии можно отлично питаться, если завтракать три раза в день. И хотя
настоящий большой английский завтрак, приготовленный по-домашнему, - то есть шипящее пиршество из бекона, яиц,
колбасы, жареных помидоров, грибов, почек, копченой селедки и т.д. – дал основания считать, что питаться по утрам
растворимым кофе и кукурузными хлопьями значительно полезнее, его все еще запросто можно получить в любое время
дня и ночи в любой закусочной.
Ростбиф, баранина или свинина с овощами и жареной картошкой по-прежнему являются излюбленными
национальными блюдами, и англичане считают их “настоящей едой”. Во всех остальных случаях, а также когда не
хватает выдумки, англичане предпочитают еще одно традиционное блюдо – тушеные бобы и тосты.
Картошка – важнейший компонент дневной трапезы. Средний англичанин съедает за год двести кило картошки.
По большей части – в виде хрустящего картофеля и, конечно же, в виде чипсов – с рыбой, гамбургерами и прочими
блюдами или же просто так с солью. Картошка нравится им также в виде “чип батти”, которая представляет собой
разрезанную пополам булочку, намазанную маслом и начиненную жареной картошкой.
Большая часть англичан сочтет трапезу незаконченной, если не получит свой “пудинг”. Им может оказаться
приготовленный на пару рулет с джемом, рассыпчатый пирог с ревенем, яблочный пирог, пудинг с патокой, земляничное
пирожное и т.п. – все исключительно охлажденное, из морозилки. Подумайте как следует, прежде чем опрометчиво
заказывать “йоркширский пудинг” или “черный пудинг”. Ни тот, ни другой своему названию отнюдь не соответствуют.
Первый представляет собой кусок запеченного взбитого теста, и его обычно едят с ростбифом, а второй – жуткого вида
кровяную колбасу.
По мере того, как в Англии рос интерес к иностранной пище, увеличивался и выбор предлагаемых блюд. С
преобладавшей ранее французской и итальянской кухней теперь соперничают многие другие: тайская, китайская,
мексиканская, испанская, русская, американская. Существуют даже рестораны, специализирующиеся исключительно на
английской еде. Один такой весьма процветающий лондонский ресторан называется “School Dinners”. В нем усталые
бизнесмены могут порадовать себя такими старомодными блюдами, как хлебный пудинг, масляный пудинг или
“пятнистая собака” (вареный пудинг с изюмом) – и все это будет подано благонравными девицами в школьной форме.
Несмотря на то, что вкусы англичан стали более разнообразными и изысканными, они до сих пор весьма ценят
свое давнишнее изобретение – сандвичи. Правда, раньше они состояли из сыра с острой пряной приправой, но теперь
высокохудожественный сандвич может содержать все что угодно – от копченой лососины и мягкого сливочного сыра до
цыпленка, приготовленного с острыми индийскими специями.
Английские вкусы весьма коварно впитывают и поглощают все, что приходит с ними в соприкосновение. Только
в Англии в индийском ресторанчике вам спокойно подадут чипсы с соусом карри. И только англичане станут это есть.

Как приятно выпить чашечку чая!

Англичане упорно хранят верность чаю и считают его одной из немногих действительно прекрасных вещей,
когда-либо попавших в Англию из-за границы.
Тогда как другие ублажают себя чем-нибудь покрепче, англичане требуют только чая. Чаю они присвоили
прямо-таки мистические целебные и успокоительные свойства и прибегают к нему в любых кризисных ситуациях.
Только чай способен вывести англичанина из шока. И он же служит поводом для того, чтобы просто побыть в обществе
других людей – в таких случаях всегда кто-нибудь предлагает выпить чашечку чая. Возможно, чай у англичан – это
действительно единственная пагубная привычка.
Чай для обычного англичанина – это, конечно, индийский чай. Его подают с молоком и сахаром, сопровождая
угощение народной премудростью о наилучших способах его приготовления. Сначала следует согреть заварочный
чайник. Всыпав туда чай и залив его кипятком, надо дать ему немного постоять и завариться – но не слишком долго,
иначе чай будет горчить и станет чересчур крепким. В каждую чашку наливают немного холодного молока, а затем
добавляют чай – либо разбавив заварку кипятком, либо, что бывает чаще, просто душистый и крепкий чай из заварочного
чайника.
Китайский чай считается более изысканным; ритуал его приготовления примерно тот же, только молоко в чашку
добавляют уже после того, как туда налили чай, или вообще не добавляют. Молоко также часто заменяют ломтиком
лимона. Сахар кладется в последнюю очередь.
В крупных английских заведениях чай заваривают в огромных сосудах, вроде русских самоваров, и часто
бывают добавлены молоко и сахар.
Define and analyze the style of the given articles. What literary devices do the writers resort to so that to express their
attitude to English traditions in meals? Speak about your meals at home employing the same style of writing.
 Куда положить салфетку?
Хорошо поесть – несложная задача. Гораздо труднее есть правильно. Чтобы достойно выглядеть за
столом, постарайтесь избежать перечисленных ниже грубых ошибок, которые приведут в ужас любого
профессионального официанта.

1. “Поехали!”, “Ну, будем!” – подобные тосты уместны разве что в пивной на углу, где собрались любители
футбола. Знатоки гастрономических традиций говорят в таких случаях: “За ваше здоровье!”
2. локти и части рук ниже локтя не должны лежать на столе. Крайний предел – наручные часы и манжеты.
3. Салфетка не должна находиться в вырезе платья, за воротником или возле тарелки. Ее место – на
коленях.
4. Активно двигая локтями во время еды, вы мешаете сидящим по соседству с вами. Руки должны быть
прижаты к туловищу.
5. Голову не следует наклонять к тарелке. Напротив, прибор следует подносить ко рту.
6. Перед тем как сделать глоток, рот следует промокнуть салфеткой. В противном случае на бокале или
рюмке останутся следы от жира или губной помады.
7. Использованный прибор кладут не на салфетку, а на тарелку. Скрещенные вилка и нож означают, что вы
намерены и дальше есть. Если вилка и нож лежат параллельно, еда закончена.
8. Облизывать нож более чем некрасиво. Это абсолютное табу!
9. Матерчатую салфетку после еды кладут не на тарелку, а рядом.
10. Пользоваться зубочистками можно лишь у себя дома!

Обед готов – извольте кушать!

Всякому с детства хорошо знакомо одно незыблемое правило, которое необходимо соблюдать перед
началом трапезы – “мойте руки перед едой!” слова эти воспринимаются как призыв. И верно: он является
основополагающим, но не единственным!
Как сидеть
Согласно правилам хорошего поведения, сидя за столом, не следует широко расставлять локти и
опираться ими на край. Исключение делается лишь для женщин. Им разрешается ненадолго опереться на стол
локтем.
Приборы
За столом не следует играть приборами или рюмками. Не стоит во всю длину протягивать ноги – это
доставит неудобство соседям. По правилам этикета нож держат в правой руке, вилку – в левой. Масло для
хлеба берут вилкой, а не ножом. Ромштекс, лангет, эскалоп едят с помощью ножа и вилки. Нож не
употребляется, когда едят макароны, лапшу, желе, омлет или рыбу. Не пользуются ножом, когда подают на
стол мягкую мясную пищу – тефтели, котлеты … Спагетти едят с помощью большой ложки и вилки. Техника
такова: ложку держат углублением вниз, а вилкой, направляя ее в углубление ложки, наматывают макароны.
Ни в коем случае не привлекайте к себе внимание, причмокивая, прихлебывая или чавкая. Кушать и
пить надо по возможности бесшумно.
 Stage D
Choose the best alternative:
Test 1.
1. Here – divide this bar of chocolate … yourselves.
A in B among C between
2. Would you like milk or water … the meal?
A with B for C to
3. I hate … oranges. I usually get my wife to do it for me since she has long nails.
A skinning B slicing C peeling D shaving
4. I can’t eat this meat: it’s too … .
A strong B soggy C tough D bad E tender
5. I’m afraid I really couldn’t eat any more. I’m … .
A full up B fed up C famished D satisfactory
6. Indian food’s too spicy for my … .
A appetite B desire C flavour D liking
7. You do the cooking and I’ll wash up … .
A in return B by return C in revenge D to reciprocate
8. Air, food and water are … to life.
A indispensable B inevitable C indisputable D indestructible
9. The inconvenience of going on a diet is … by the benefits.
A overbalanced B outranked C overthrown D outweighed
10. Chocolate cake’s an irresistible temptation for somebody who’s got a sweet … .
A appetite B palate C taste D tooth
11. If there is no coffee left, we’ll have to … tea.
A do up with B make do with C do away with
12. The tomatoes are still green – they aren’t … yet.
A developed B mature C ripe D seasoned
13. If there is one thing I can’t … it’s soggy vegetables.
A appeal to B bare C support D bear
14. The pudding was so delicious I had a second … .
A go B helping C plate D serving
15. There are only three of us. Why have you ordered … ?
A so many foods B so much food

Test 2.
1. How … do you want?
A many toasts B much toast
2. You’d expect to be able to buy fresh fruit and vegetables in … .
A a market B a bazaar
3. You want some meat so you go to the … .
A butcher B butcher’s C butchers D butchers’
4. You would buy a tin of sardines at a … .
A shop B magazine C store D boutique
5. This egg smells awful. It’s … .
A baddened B gone bad C got bad
6. I … wandering about all day without any food.
A got hungry B hungered C made hungry
7. These apples have … and they are not very nice.
A softened B gone soft C made soft
8. I avoid eating cakes and biscuits because I don’t want to … .
A get fat B fatten
9. Could I have some more … ?
A macaroni B macaronis
10. A lot of people don’t eat … .
A pig B pork C hog
11. While you are at the greengrocer’s, please get a … .
A greens B salad C lettuce
12. Could I try … please?
A one of this chocolate B one of these chocolates
13. I’ve never seen anyone eat … as quickly as you do!
A a bar of chocolate B some chocolate
14. You have finished a meal at a restaurant. You say: “Let’s … the bill.”
A ask for B ask C ask about D demand
15. You want some tea. You say: “… a cup of tea, please.”
A I like B I love C I’d like D I may like
 Test 3.
1. Someone offers you some food which you don’t want. You say: “…”
A Please B Thank you C Thanks D No, thank you
2. Do you drink tea? – I do, but I don’t … now, thank you.
A want B want any C want some D want it E want to
3. You’re refusing food that is offered; you say: “…”
A Thank you B No, thank you C Thanks
4. I couldn’t afford to buy any food but I managed to … on some bread and cheese I had left.
A get across B get away C get by D get down
5. She made a delicious pudding consisting … apricots and cream.
A from B with C of D in
6. … carrots are said to be much better for you than cooked ones.
A Raw B Rare C Crude D Fresh
7. In comparison … the Japanese, the British eat far more fatty foods.
A from B to C with D of
8. I went to a party last night and … some friends came back for coffee.
A after B at last C finally D afterwards
9. I don’t understand why people put … with the bad service in this restaurant.
A upon B over C up D down
10. Pass me the salad … please.
A sauce B seasoning C spice D dressing
11. Those prawns we had for supper have given me … .
A indisposition B infection C sickness D indigestion
12. The wild animal … savagely at the price of meat.
A rent B severed C tore D split
13. I can never touch lobster because I’m … to shellfish.
A sensitive B allergic C infected D sensible
14. All the food in that little café is … .
A handmade B self-made C homemade D home-based
15. You very rarely find peas in … nowadays, they are usually sold in packets or tins.
A shells B pods C husks D skins

Test 4.
1. Game pie was a … of the restaurant.
A singularity B particularity C specialty D originality
2. Frozen food should always be … before it is cooked.
A melted B dissolved C defrosted D softened
3. Those children have very good table … .
A conduct B manners C behaviour D attitude
4. They serve … refreshments on the train.
A light B little C small D slight
5. Hot meals are available here. Drop in for a … to eat.
A bite B sip C bit D nip
6. Although Lucy was slimming, she found cream cakes quite … .
A imperative B inevitable C irresistible D irrepressible
7. If there is one thing I don’t like, it’s … tea.
A pale B delicate C light D weak
8. The accommodation was cheap, but the food was very … .
A costly B high C dear D overpaid
9. How do you like your eggs … ?
A done B made C set D ready
10. Try our delicious three-course meal, offering you superb … for money.
A value B worth C cost D price
11. I won’t go to the party … you come too.
A except B although C until D unless
12. Lunch will be ready … the time you get back.
A at B during C in D by
13. Mary asked the shopkeeper to put the vegetables in a … .
A holdall B handbag C satchel D carrier bag
14. There isn’t any sugar, I’m afraid. You’ll have to … .
A run out B put up with C do without D make for
15. The sweets were … in silver paper.
A enveloped B folded C rolled D wrapped
 Test 5.
1. I know that cream cakes are fattening. I still eat them … .
A though B yet C too D the same E in spite
2. The … of cooking from the kitchen has given me an appetite.
A scent B trace C stink D perfume E smell
3. The boy’s excuse for stealing food was that hunger had … him to it.
A led B driven C urged D spurred E incited
4. I … drinking coffee in the evening, so it doesn’t keep me away.
A used to B have been C am used to D accustomed to
5. Don’t make him laugh while he’s eating or he’ll … .
A gasp B sneeze C choke D swallow
6. You must … the instructions on the packet carefully if you want the cake to be a success.
A follow B do C keep D repeat
7. If you’d like a fresh fruit juice, I can … an orange.
A press B squeeze C squash D smash
8. We’ve almost … coffee. We’ll have to get some more tomorrow.
A run away with B done away with C cut down on D run out of
9. When I entered the room, the children were … over the last piece of cake.
A discussing B squabbling C participating D consulting
10. I don’t really like eating a curry which is very … .
A hot B peppery C sharp D spiced
11. Roast beef is one of my favourite … .
A bowls B courses C dishes D plates
12. That was absolutely delicious, can you give me the … ?
A formula B instructions C receipt D recipe
13. Would you like your steak well-done, medium or … ?
A bloody B blue C rare D raw E red
14. A lot of food you buy nowadays contains all sort of artificial … .
A additions B additives C extras D spices
15. Waiter, could I see the … please?
A card of wines B list of wines D wine card D wine list
16. The reason why he always eats so much is simply that he’s very … .
A eager B greedy C hungry D starving
17. She liked the dessert so much that she asked for a second … .
A dish B go C helping D plate E serving
18. If you’re on a diet there are some foods you have to … .
A avoid B deny C escape D lack
19. You forgot to put the milk in the fridge and it has … .
A gone back B gone down C gone in D gone off E gone out
20. The meal was excellent; the pears were particularly … .
A flavoured B delicious C tasteful D desirable
21. After the party the children were allowed to finish off the … cakes.
A additional B leaving C remaining D left
22. Leave it in the oven until it … brown.
A turns B colours C changes D cooks
23. I couldn’t resist having another slice of cake even … I was supposed to be losing weight.
A although B however C otherwise D though
24. He’s a wonderful cook: he can make a delicious … out of almost anything.
A flavour B food C meal D plate
25. Be careful! Don’t … your drink on the table.
A spill B spread C flood D flow
 Expanding the Topic. Critical Thinking

Exercise your journalistic skills: read the following article from The Daily Express, define its message and
formulate the main idea of each passage writing out key expressions. What style does the journalist employ? Is it
effective in reflecting the theme of the article? Look up the marked words in the dictionary and memorize their
meaning.
The Cup That Cheers
At the moment it reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit, Sam Twining takes the kettle he had filled with fresh, cold
water off the boil and pours it carefully over the tea leaves. “In the morning”, he was telling me, “I will start with
bright and brisk English breakfast tea. After lunch, I will have a cup of Darjeeling – a mellow, rounded drink. If the
afternoon is especially hot, I will have a cup of Lapsang Souchong which has a smoky taste from being smoked over
oak chips. If the afternoon is warm, I will have a cup of Earl Grey”, the bergamot-flavoured tea first blended for the
Earl by Sam Twinning’s forebear – some 150 years ago. “If it is cold and miserable I’ll probably have a cup of
Assam which is rich and malty. And, if the weather is really awful, I’ll have a cup of Vintage Darjeeling, which has a
muscatel flavour.”
And so Twinning’s day progresses, a cup of tea never far from the hand of a man whose family have been
teamen ever since they went into the business “as a gimmick” nine generations ago in 1706.
Another cup of low-caffeine Earl Grey at night. A cup of rose Pouchong, which is sprinkled with real rose
petals, if he happens to be at home in the evening. Fine black Russian Caravan, so named after the caravan route that
first bore it out of China – after red wine. Oolong – to tea what rose is to wine – after white. “As a complement, to
enhance the flavours,” he explained.
The comparison with wine is a reasonable one. Having found a way 5,000 years ago of making water more
palatable by infusing it with leaves of the thea sinensis plant, the Chinese went on to discover that tea, like the grape,
draws its taste and character from the soil in which it grows. And for all those intervening years, men have been
transporting it, growing it and blending it in search of the perfect cup for the occasion.
Notes
The title “The cup that cheers” is a saying that is commonly used to refer to tea (a drink that makes you feel
cheerful). It’s a quotation from the poem The Task by the English poet William Cowper (1731-1800):
Now stir the fire, and close the shutters fast,
Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round,
And, while the bubbling and loud-hissing urn
Throws up a steamy column, and the cups
That cheer but not inebriate, wait on each,
So let us welcome peaceful ev’ning in.

What do you think influences a country’s food? Read this magazine article about English food and define the
kind of person who wrote it. Who do you think Jane Grigson is? What makes you think so? Do you agree with this
article?
English Food
I am always both amused and annoyed when I hear foreign people criticize English food. “It’s unimaginative”,
they say. “It’s boring, it’s tasteless, it’s chips with everything and totally overcooked vegetables.” “It’s unambitious”,
say the French, “all you do is roasts with jam.” (We eat apple sauce with pork.) That’s the bit they find really
shocking, but then the French are easily shocked by things that aren’t French.
When I ask these visitors where they have experienced English cooking, I am astonished by their reply. “In
Wimpy Bars and MacDonald’s Hamburger restaurants,” they often say. I have won my case. Their conclusions are
inexcusable.
I have a theory about English cooking, and I was interested to read that several famous cookery writers agree
with me. My theory is this. Our basic ingredients, when fresh, are so full of flavour that we haven’t had to invent
sauces and complex recipes to disguise their natural taste. What can compare with fresh peas or new potatoes just
boiled (not overboiled) and served with butter? Why drown spring lamb in wine or cream or yoghurt and spices, when
with just one or two herbs it is absolutely delicious?
It is interesting to speculate what part factors such as geography and climate play in the creation of a country’s
food. We complain about our wet and changeable weather, but it is the rain which gives us our rich soil and green
grass. “Abroad”, says Jane Grigson, “poor soils meant more searching for food, more discovery, more invention,
whereas our ancestors sat down to plenty without having to take trouble.
If you ask foreigners to name some typically English dishes, they will probably say “Fish and chips” and then
stop. It is disappointing, but true, that there is no tradition in England of eating in restaurants, because our food doesn’t
lend itself to such preparation. English cooking is found in the home, where it is possible to time the dishes to
perfection. So it is difficult to find a good English restaurant with reasonable prices.
 It is for these reasons that we haven’t exported our dishes, but we have imported a surprising number from all
over the world. In most cities in Britain you’ll find Indian, Chinese, French and Italian restaurants. In London you’ll
also find Indonesian, Lebanese, Iranian, German, Spanish, Mexican, Greek … Cynics will say that this is because we
have no “cuisine” ourselves, but, well, you know what I think!
Which of these titles do you think is the best?
- Fish and chips against the world!
- Cosmopolitan English cooking.
- In defence of English cooking.
- Fresh is best in the English kitchen.
- English Food: Facts or Myth?
What is the author’s main point about English food? Why doesn’t he agree with foreign people’s criticism of
English food? What is the comparison that Jane Grigson makes? Why are there few English restaurants? Read the
article again and mark it like this:
I agree !
I don’t agree X
I find it surprising !!
I don’t understand this ?
Summarize each paragraph in one or two sentences pointing out its main idea.