Describing a foreign food experience is a common topic in IELTS Speaking tests, particularly in Part 2. This theme allows examiners to assess your ability to narrate a personal experience, use descriptive language, and express opinions. Let’s explore how to tackle this topic effectively and boost your IELTS Speaking score.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1, the examiner may warm up with some general questions about food and eating habits. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
-
Do you like trying new foods?
Sample answer (Band 7-8): “Absolutely! I’m quite adventurous when it comes to food. I believe trying new cuisines is a fantastic way to explore different cultures and expand my palate. It’s always exciting to discover unique flavors and ingredients I’ve never encountered before.”
-
How often do you eat out?
Sample answer (Band 8-9): “I’d say I eat out about twice a week on average. While I enjoy cooking at home, dining out offers a great opportunity to socialize with friends and family. It’s also a chance to experience professional culinary skills and innovative dishes that I might not be able to replicate at home.”
-
What’s your favorite type of foreign cuisine?
Sample answer (Band 7-8): “I’m particularly fond of Thai cuisine. The harmonious blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors in Thai dishes never fails to impress me. I love how they incorporate fresh herbs and vegetables, creating dishes that are both flavorful and healthy.”
Part 2: Long Turn
Cue Card
Describe a foreign food you tried for the first time
You should say:
- What the food was
- Where you ate it
- Who you were with
- And explain how you felt about eating this food
Sample Answer (Band 6-7)
“I’d like to talk about the first time I tried sushi, which is a Japanese dish. I had this experience about two years ago when I visited a newly opened Japanese restaurant in my city with a group of friends. We decided to go there because one of my friends had lived in Japan for a while and recommended we try authentic Japanese cuisine.
The sushi we ordered came in various types, including maki rolls and nigiri. I remember being quite nervous about eating raw fish, as it was completely new to me. The presentation was beautiful, with the sushi arranged neatly on a wooden board.
When I first tasted it, I was surprised by the combination of flavors. The fish was fresh and had a delicate taste, while the rice was slightly sweet and vinegary. The texture was interesting too – soft rice contrasting with the firmness of the fish.
Overall, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension about trying sushi. It was definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m glad I gave it a chance. While it wasn’t love at first bite, I found the experience interesting and it opened my eyes to a new culinary world.”
Sample Answer (Band 8-9)
“I’d be delighted to share my experience of trying escargot, a traditional French delicacy, for the first time. This gastronomic adventure took place during a summer trip to Paris with my culinary school classmates. We were on a mission to expand our palates and immerse ourselves in French cuisine, so we chose a quaint, highly-recommended bistro in the Marais district.
The escargot, which are essentially cooked land snails, were served as a starter. They arrived in a special dimpled dish, each snail nestled in its own little pocket, bathed in a fragrant garlic and herb butter. The presentation was both elegant and intriguing, garnished with sprigs of fresh parsley.
As I extracted the first snail from its shell using the special tongs and fork provided, I felt a mixture of anticipation and slight trepidation. The texture was surprisingly tender and not at all slimy as I had feared. The flavor was rich and earthy, beautifully complemented by the robust garlic butter sauce. The herbs added a fresh, aromatic dimension that balanced the dish perfectly.
My initial apprehension quickly gave way to genuine enjoyment. I was fascinated by how this humble creature had been transformed into such a sophisticated delicacy. The experience was not just about the taste, but also about the ritual of eating escargot – the special utensils, the technique of extracting the snail, and the act of savoring each bite mindfully.
This culinary encounter left me feeling exhilarated and culturally enriched. It reinforced my belief that food is a gateway to understanding different cultures and that stepping out of one’s comfort zone can lead to delightful discoveries. The experience of trying escargot has since inspired me to be more adventurous in my culinary explorations and to approach unfamiliar foods with an open mind and palate.”
Follow-up Questions
-
How did this experience change your perception of foreign cuisine?
Sample answer (Band 8-9): “This experience was truly eye-opening and significantly broadened my culinary horizons. It taught me the importance of suspending preconceptions about unfamiliar foods. I realized that what might seem unusual in one culture can be a cherished delicacy in another. This newfound appreciation has made me more open-minded and adventurous in my food choices, eager to explore diverse cuisines and understand the cultural stories behind different dishes.”
-
Would you recommend others to try this food? Why or why not?
Sample answer (Band 7-8): “Absolutely, I would encourage others to try escargot, or indeed any unfamiliar food. It’s an opportunity to step out of one’s comfort zone and engage with a different culture through its cuisine. However, I’d advise approaching it with an open mind and a spirit of adventure. Even if the food doesn’t suit everyone’s taste, the experience itself is valuable. It can lead to interesting conversations, cultural insights, and a broader understanding of global gastronomy.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner: “Let’s talk more about foreign cuisines. Do you think it’s important for people to try foods from other cultures?”
Sample answer (Band 8-9): “I firmly believe that exploring cuisines from other cultures is not just important, but essential in our increasingly globalized world. Firstly, it’s a form of cultural exchange that can foster understanding and appreciation of different traditions and ways of life. Food often reflects the history, geography, and values of a culture, offering insights that go beyond what we might learn from books or media.
Moreover, trying diverse foods can expand our palates and nutritional intake. Different cuisines often use ingredients and cooking methods that might be uncommon in our own culture but could have significant health benefits. For instance, the Mediterranean diet is renowned for its heart-healthy properties, while many Asian cuisines incorporate a wide variety of vegetables and fermented foods that are beneficial for gut health.
Furthermore, culinary exploration can be a catalyst for personal growth. It challenges us to move beyond our comfort zones, cultivates curiosity, and can even inspire creativity in our own cooking. In a professional context, familiarity with various cuisines can be a valuable asset, facilitating better communication and relationship-building in multicultural environments.
However, it’s important to approach foreign cuisines with respect and an open mind. It’s not about judging or comparing them to our own familiar foods, but rather about appreciating them within their cultural context and understanding the stories they tell about the people who created them.”
Examiner: “How has globalization affected food cultures around the world?”
Sample answer (Band 7-8): “Globalization has had a profound impact on food cultures worldwide, bringing about both positive and negative changes. On the positive side, it has made a wide variety of ingredients and cuisines accessible to people around the globe. This has led to a cross-pollination of culinary ideas, resulting in exciting fusion cuisines and innovative dishes.
However, there are also concerns about the homogenization of food culture. Fast food chains and global brands have spread rapidly, sometimes at the expense of local food traditions. This can lead to a loss of culinary heritage and biodiversity as local ingredients and cooking methods are replaced by more standardized, global options.
Another significant effect is the change in dietary patterns. The global food supply chain has made it possible to have foods out of season or native to other regions year-round. While this offers more choice, it can also disconnect people from local, seasonal eating habits that were once an integral part of many cultures.
On balance, I believe the key is to embrace the benefits of culinary globalization while making conscious efforts to preserve and celebrate local food traditions. This approach can lead to a richer, more diverse global food culture that respects both innovation and heritage.”
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
-
Gastronomic adventure [ˌgæstrəˈnɒmɪk ədˈventʃə(r)] (noun phrase): An exciting experience involving food and eating.
Example: “Trying street food in Bangkok was a true gastronomic adventure.” -
Culinary horizon [ˈkʌlɪnəri həˈraɪzn] (noun phrase): The extent of one’s knowledge or experience with different types of food and cooking.
Example: “Traveling to Italy greatly expanded my culinary horizons.” -
Palate [ˈpælət] (noun): A person’s ability to distinguish between and appreciate different flavors.
Example: “Years of tasting different cuisines have refined my palate.” -
Fusion cuisine [ˈfjuːʒn kwɪˈziːn] (noun phrase): A style of cooking that combines elements of different culinary traditions.
Example: “The restaurant specializes in Asian-Latin fusion cuisine.” -
Epicurean [ˌepɪkjʊˈriːən] (adjective): Devoted to the pursuit of sensual pleasure, especially to the enjoyment of good food and comfort.
Example: “The epicurean feast featured rare delicacies from around the world.”
Describe a restaurant you recently visited to practice using these terms in context.
Examiner’s Advice
To excel in describing a foreign food experience in your IELTS Speaking test:
- Use vivid, descriptive language to bring your experience to life. Engage all senses in your description.
- Structure your answer logically, covering all points in the cue card.
- Incorporate a range of advanced vocabulary and idiomatic expressions related to food and cultural experiences.
- Show cultural awareness and an open-minded attitude towards different cuisines.
- Practice narrating your experience within the given time frame (1-2 minutes for Part 2).
- In Part 3, be prepared to discuss broader topics related to food, culture, and globalization.
Remember, the key to a high score is not just in what you say, but how you say it. Aim for fluency, coherence, and a natural conversational style while showcasing your language skills.
Describe a place in your country that is known for its cultural diversity to further enhance your ability to discuss cultural topics in the IELTS Speaking test.