Describing a meal you prepared for someone is a common topic in IELTS Speaking tests. This theme allows examiners to assess your ability to recount personal experiences, express emotions, and use descriptive language. It’s a versatile topic that can appear in any part of the speaking test, so being well-prepared is crucial for achieving a high score.
Describe a time when you took care of someone can be related to preparing a meal for them, making it a valuable skill to master for your IELTS Speaking test.
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In this section, the examiner may ask general questions about cooking and meals. Here’s an example question with a suggested answer:
Examiner: Do you enjoy cooking?
Sample answer (Band 7-8):
“Absolutely, I find cooking to be a truly rewarding experience. There’s something incredibly satisfying about transforming raw ingredients into a delicious meal. I particularly enjoy experimenting with different cuisines and flavors, as it allows me to broaden my culinary horizons and challenge my skills in the kitchen. Plus, the joy of sharing a home-cooked meal with loved ones is unparalleled.”
Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)
Here’s a sample cue card related to describing a meal you prepared:
Describe a meal you prepared for someone special
You should say:
- Who you prepared the meal for
- What the occasion was
- What dishes you prepared
- And explain why this meal was memorable
IELTS Speaking Cue Card: Describing a meal preparation
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“I’d like to talk about a special dinner I prepared for my parents’ 30th wedding anniversary last year. It was a momentous occasion that I wanted to commemorate with something truly memorable.
For the meal, I decided to recreate some of their favorite dishes from their honeymoon in Italy. The main course was a classic osso buco, which is a Milanese specialty of braised veal shanks in a rich, aromatic sauce. I paired this with a creamy saffron risotto, which complemented the tender meat perfectly. As a starter, I prepared bruschetta with vine-ripened tomatoes and fresh basil from my garden. For dessert, I whipped up a silky tiramisu, layering espresso-soaked ladyfingers with a luscious mascarpone cream.
What made this meal particularly memorable was the effort I put into every detail. I spent weeks researching authentic recipes, sourcing high-quality ingredients, and practicing my techniques to ensure everything was perfect. The look of surprise and delight on my parents’ faces when they saw the table set with fine china and tasted the food was priceless. It wasn’t just about the food, though. The meal became a catalyst for reminiscing about their wedding day and honeymoon, creating new memories while celebrating old ones.
This experience was incredibly rewarding for me. It allowed me to showcase my culinary skills while expressing my love and appreciation for my parents in a tangible way. The evening was filled with laughter, stories, and heartfelt conversations, making it a truly unforgettable celebration of their enduring love and our family bond.”
Italian-inspired anniversary dinner table
Follow-up questions:
Examiner: How did you learn to cook these Italian dishes?
Sample answer (Band 7-8):
“I immersed myself in Italian cooking through various means. I pored over authentic Italian cookbooks, watched numerous cooking shows focused on Italian cuisine, and even took a few online masterclasses with renowned Italian chefs. Additionally, I practiced extensively, refining my techniques and adjusting flavors until I felt confident in my ability to recreate these classic dishes with authenticity and flair.”
Examiner: Do you think cooking skills are important in today’s society?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“Absolutely, I believe cooking skills are increasingly valuable in our modern society. Firstly, they promote healthier eating habits by giving people control over their ingredients and preparation methods. This is particularly crucial given the prevalence of processed foods and diet-related health issues. Moreover, cooking fosters creativity and can be a great stress-reliever, contributing to better mental health. It also encourages social connections, as sharing meals is a fundamental way of bonding with family and friends. From an economic perspective, cooking at home is often more cost-effective than constantly eating out or relying on takeaways. Lastly, in an era where sustainability is paramount, cooking skills enable people to make more environmentally conscious food choices, such as using local, seasonal ingredients and reducing food waste. Thus, I’d argue that cooking is not just a practical skill, but a vital tool for personal, social, and environmental well-being in today’s world.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
Examiner: How have eating habits changed in your country in recent years?
Sample answer (Band 8-9):
“In recent years, there’s been a notable shift in eating habits in my country. We’ve witnessed a growing awareness of health and nutrition, leading to an increased demand for organic, plant-based, and locally sourced foods. There’s also been a surge in interest in international cuisines, broadening people’s palates and culinary horizons.
However, the fast-paced nature of modern life has also led to a rise in convenience foods and meal delivery services. This dichotomy between health-consciousness and convenience has sparked interesting trends like meal prep subscriptions that offer nutritious, ready-to-cook ingredients.
Moreover, social media has significantly influenced eating habits, with food photography and online reviews shaping restaurant choices and even home cooking styles. We’re also seeing a resurgence of traditional cooking methods and forgotten local ingredients, as people seek to reconnect with their culinary heritage.
Lastly, there’s been an increasing focus on sustainable eating, with many people adopting flexitarian diets or choosing products with lower environmental impacts. This holistic approach to food, considering health, convenience, culture, and sustainability, is reshaping our relationship with what we eat in profound ways.”
Describe a skill you are proud of could potentially include cooking skills, which ties in well with the theme of preparing meals.
Examiner: Do you think traditional cooking methods are being lost?
Sample answer (Band 7-8):
“While there’s certainly a risk of traditional cooking methods fading away in our fast-paced, technology-driven world, I believe there’s also a countermovement gaining traction. Many people are actively seeking to preserve and revive traditional culinary techniques.
On one hand, the convenience of modern appliances and pre-prepared foods has led to a decline in time-consuming traditional methods. Younger generations, in particular, may not have the knowledge or patience for labor-intensive traditional cooking.
However, there’s also a growing appreciation for artisanal and heritage foods. Food shows, cookbooks, and cultural events are helping to keep traditional methods alive. Moreover, many chefs and home cooks are finding ways to blend traditional techniques with modern twists, creating innovative fusion cuisines.
I think the key is to strike a balance – embracing the efficiency of modern methods while still valuing and preserving the traditional techniques that are part of our culinary heritage. It’s about recognizing the cultural significance of these methods and ensuring they’re passed down to future generations.”
Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
Culinary heritage /ˈkʌlɪnəri ˈherɪtɪdʒ/ (noun phrase): The traditional ingredients, dishes, and cooking methods of a particular culture or region.
Example: “Preserving our culinary heritage is crucial for maintaining cultural identity.”To whip up /wɪp ʌp/ (phrasal verb): To prepare or make food quickly and easily.
Example: “I can whip up a delicious pasta dish in just 20 minutes.”Aromatic /ˌærəˈmætɪk/ (adjective): Having a pleasant and distinctive smell.
Example: “The aromatic spices filled the kitchen with an irresistible fragrance.”To pair /peə(r)/ (verb): To combine food or drink with another to enhance the flavor.
Example: “I like to pair a full-bodied red wine with rich, meaty dishes.”Memorable /ˈmemərəbl/ (adjective): Worth remembering or easily remembered, especially because of being special or unusual.
Example: “The exquisite flavors made it a truly memorable dining experience.”
Describe a recent accomplishment you are proud of could potentially include successfully preparing a complex meal, which aligns well with our topic.
Examiner’s Advice
To achieve a high score in the IELTS Speaking test when describing a meal you prepared:
- Use a wide range of vocabulary, especially cooking-related terms and descriptive adjectives.
- Structure your answer logically, covering all points in the cue card.
- Provide specific details about the meal, ingredients, and preparation process.
- Express your emotions and thoughts about the experience.
- Use advanced grammar structures correctly, such as conditionals and passive voice.
- Speak fluently with natural hesitations, avoiding long pauses.
- Pronounce words clearly and use appropriate intonation.
- Extend your answers in Part 3 by providing examples and explaining your opinions.
Remember, practice is key. Try describing different meals you’ve prepared, focusing on using varied vocabulary and complex sentence structures. Describe a time when you had to follow strict rules could be related to following a complex recipe, which can help you practice describing detailed processes.
By following these tips and regularly practicing, you’ll be well-prepared to excel in your IELTS Speaking test, particularly when discussing meals and cooking experiences.