Mastering the Art of Culinary Storytelling: How to Describe Your Favorite Dish to Cook for Guests in IELTS Speaking

The IELTS Speaking test often includes questions about food and cooking, making it essential for test-takers to be well-prepared on this topic. One common question that frequently appears is “Describe a dish you like to cook for guests.” This topic not only assesses your language skills but also allows you to showcase your cultural knowledge and personal experiences. Let’s explore how to effectively answer this question and impress the examiner with your culinary storytelling skills.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In the first part of the IELTS Speaking test, you may encounter questions related to cooking and food preferences. Here are some common questions and sample answers:

1. Do you enjoy cooking?
2. How often do you cook?
3. What’s your favorite cuisine?

Let’s focus on the first question:

Examiner: Do you enjoy cooking?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I do enjoy cooking. It’s a fun hobby for me, and I like trying out new recipes when I have free time. Cooking helps me relax after a long day at work.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely! I find cooking to be an incredibly rewarding and creative outlet. There’s something magical about transforming raw ingredients into a delicious meal. Not only does it allow me to experiment with flavors and techniques, but it also gives me a sense of accomplishment when I serve a well-prepared dish to my friends and family.

Part 2: Long Turn

Now, let’s move on to the main topic. Here’s a sample cue card you might encounter:

Describe a dish you like to cook for guests

You should say:
- What the dish is
- How you learned to cook it
- What ingredients you need to make it
- And explain why you like to cook this dish for guests

Band 6-7 Sample Answer:

The dish I like to cook for guests is spaghetti carbonara. I learned to cook it a few years ago when I was living with some Italian roommates. They taught me the traditional recipe, and I’ve been making it ever since.

To make carbonara, you need spaghetti, eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, guanciale or pancetta, black pepper, and salt. It’s quite simple, but the trick is in the technique.

I enjoy cooking this dish for guests because it’s quick to prepare but still impressive. Most people love pasta, and carbonara has a rich, creamy sauce that’s very satisfying. It’s also a great conversation starter, as I can share the story of how I learned to make it from my Italian friends.

Band 8-9 Sample Answer:

One dish I particularly enjoy preparing for guests is authentic Thai green curry. I became enamored with this aromatic and flavorful dish during a culinary tour of Southeast Asia, where I had the privilege of learning its intricacies from a local chef in Bangkok.

The key ingredients for a stellar green curry include homemade curry paste (a blend of green chilies, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, shallots, and garlic), coconut milk, Thai eggplants, bamboo shoots, and your choice of protein – I often opt for succulent pieces of chicken or plump shrimp. The dish is then elevated with a handful of fresh Thai basil and a squeeze of lime juice.

I find immense satisfaction in preparing this dish for guests for several reasons. Firstly, it allows me to showcase the culinary skills I’ve honed over the years, particularly in balancing the complex flavors of Thai cuisine. Secondly, the process of cooking green curry is a sensory experience in itself – the vibrant colors, the aromatic spices, and the sizzling sounds create an atmosphere of anticipation. Lastly, serving this dish often sparks engaging conversations about travel, cultural experiences, and the universal language of food, making it an excellent choice for fostering connections among my guests.

Preparing authentic Thai green curry

Examiner: How long does it take you to prepare this dish?

Band 6-7 Answer:
It usually takes me about 30 to 40 minutes to prepare the Thai green curry. Most of the time is spent on making the curry paste and cooking the meat. The actual cooking of the curry is quite quick once everything is prepared.

Band 8-9 Answer:
The preparation time for my Thai green curry can vary, but I typically allocate about an hour from start to finish. The most time-consuming part is crafting the curry paste from scratch, which I believe is crucial for achieving an authentic flavor profile. This process alone can take up to 20 minutes of meticulous grinding and blending. Once the paste is ready, the cooking process is relatively swift, taking approximately 30 minutes to simmer the curry to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. However, I often find that the extra time invested in preparation yields a significantly superior result, making it well worth the effort for my guests.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner: Do you think cooking skills are important for young people to learn?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Yes, I think cooking skills are important for young people. It helps them to be independent and eat healthier food. When young people can cook, they don’t need to rely on fast food or processed meals all the time. It’s also a useful life skill that can save them money in the long run.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Absolutely, I believe cooking skills are paramount for young people to acquire. In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to prepare nutritious meals is not just a practical skill, but a fundamental aspect of self-care and personal development. Cooking empowers young individuals to make informed choices about their diet, potentially leading to better health outcomes and a deeper appreciation for diverse cuisines and cultures.

Moreover, cooking fosters creativity, time management, and problem-solving skills – all of which are transferable to various aspects of life and career. It also promotes sustainability by reducing reliance on pre-packaged meals and takeout, which often come with excessive packaging and food waste. In essence, cooking skills equip young people with the tools to navigate adulthood more confidently and conscientiously.

Examiner: How has technology changed the way people cook at home?

Band 6-7 Answer:
Technology has made cooking at home much easier and more convenient. We now have appliances like microwave ovens and electric cookers that save time. Also, people can easily find recipes online or watch cooking videos on YouTube. This has made it possible for more people to try cooking different dishes at home.

Band 8-9 Answer:
Technology has revolutionized home cooking in myriad ways, fundamentally altering our approach to meal preparation and culinary exploration. The advent of smart kitchen appliances, such as precision cookers, Wi-Fi-enabled ovens, and app-controlled slow cookers, has introduced a level of accuracy and convenience previously reserved for professional kitchens. These innovations allow home cooks to achieve restaurant-quality results with minimal effort and expertise.

Furthermore, the proliferation of online recipe databases, cooking apps, and video tutorials has democratized culinary knowledge, making exotic cuisines and complex techniques accessible to novice cooks. This wealth of information has sparked a renaissance in home cooking, encouraging experimentation and creativity.

However, it’s worth noting that while technology has streamlined many aspects of cooking, it has also led to a certain detachment from traditional cooking methods. The art of intuitive cooking, passed down through generations, is sometimes overshadowed by the precision of digital recipes and automated processes. Nonetheless, the overall impact of technology on home cooking has been largely positive, fostering a new generation of enthusiastic and well-informed home chefs.

Smart kitchen with modern cooking technology

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

To elevate your speaking performance, incorporate these sophisticated words and phrases:

1. Culinary adventure /ˈkʌlɪnəri ədˈventʃər/ (noun): An exploration of new foods and cooking techniques.
   Example: “Preparing Thai green curry was a culinary adventure that broadened my palate.”

2. Aromatic /ˌærəˈmætɪk/ (adjective): Having a pleasant and distinctive smell.
   Example: “The aromatic spices filled the kitchen as I prepared the curry paste.”

3. To elevate /ˈelɪveɪt/ (verb): To raise or lift up; to make something more impressive or enjoyable.
   Example: “Adding fresh Thai basil elevates the flavor of the curry significantly.”

4. Intricate /ˈɪntrɪkət/ (adjective): Very complicated or detailed.
   Example: “Mastering the intricate balance of flavors in Thai cuisine took considerable practice.”

5. To foster /ˈfɒstər/ (verb): To encourage or promote the development of something.
   Example: “Cooking for guests fosters a sense of community and shared experiences.”

Describe a memorable party you attended and you may find that food plays a significant role in creating lasting memories. Similarly, when you describe a time when a person cooked a special meal for you, you can draw parallels to your own experiences of cooking for others.

Examiner’s Advice

To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when discussing cooking:

1. Use a range of vocabulary: Incorporate cooking-specific terms and descriptive language to showcase your lexical resource.

2. Provide detailed explanations: Don’t just list ingredients or steps; explain why you choose certain methods or ingredients.

3. Connect your answer to broader themes: Discuss how cooking relates to culture, health, or personal relationships.

4. Use appropriate tenses: When describing the cooking process, use present simple for general steps and past tenses for specific experiences.

5. Practice fluency: Aim to speak smoothly without long pauses. Regular practice describing dishes will help you achieve this.

Remember, cooking is a universal topic that allows you to demonstrate both language skills and cultural knowledge. By preparing thoroughly and incorporating personal anecdotes, you can turn a simple description of a dish into a compelling narrative that showcases your English proficiency.

Describe a recent birthday celebration you had might also involve describing special dishes you prepared or enjoyed, allowing you to further practice your food-related vocabulary in different contexts.