Describe someone you know who is skilled at cooking IELTS Speaking part 2, part 3

1. Vocabulary related to the topic of Food

2. IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe someone you know who excels in cooking

To begin the speaking, candidates should directly introduce someone they know who is skilled at cooking. They should provide basic information about that person: name, age, how they know them, etc. However, candidates should not spend too much time on this as it is just a lead-in to the main part.

Next, candidates should introduce some types of dishes that the person often cooks, such as desserts, savory dishes, fried foods, etc. Additionally, candidates can explore the person's personality traits, for example, their careful selection of cooking ingredients.

Finally, candidates need to give reasons why that person is such a good cook. It could be because they have had a passion for cooking since childhood, or they read magazines and watch cooking shows,... Candidates should choose the person they know best to have more information to talk about them.

2.1. Example 1

I’m not very skilled at cooking myself, but I always admire those who are! Let me tell you about a close friend of mine who is an outstanding cook, how we met, what she cooks, and why I think she is so talented.

This individual is a friend of mine; we met through the running club I am a member of. We now socialize together, and I occasionally help her with her allotment. I’ve also had the good fortune to eat at her place quite a few times.  It’s fortunate that she can cook because she owns her own business manufacturing custom biscuits that are meticulously embellished with unique designs. But in addition, she manages a hectic household and frequently prepares excellent, healthy meals for her family.

This friend seems to be able to prepare anything, wherever! She bakes her own bread and can whip together a supper in a flash using the fresh herbs from her garden and eggs from her hens. For my benefit, she makes healthy meals and appears to love entertaining unexpected guests as well. Her biscuits are well-known among both her friends and customers, and she creates a really good chocolate and orange cake. My favorite dinner, though, was one she recently prepared for me.

We walked up to her allotment to work on it. An allotment is a plot of land that you can rent from the local municipality for a little charge as long as you use it to grow fruit and vegetables. We intended to labor till the early hours of the morning prepping the ground because it was a gorgeous summer day.

She had made preparations. She came up with a little gas stove, a saucepan, and some chopped red peppers, onions, and other veggies, which she prepared for us along with some delectable fried halloumi cheese. She had even thought to bring mild dressing, fresh salad leaves, and a kind of wrap to hold it all together. We relished our meal after a long day of toiling on the farm while basking in the late-afternoon sun. Nothing compares to “food eaten outside” after strenuous exercise.

What makes her such a proficient cook? She has a wealth of experience, she enjoys it, and it's both her job and her passion, in my opinion. Because she consistently prepares simple yet delicious, nutritious dishes, presented with understated elegance, I consider her to be excellent.

In my opinion, an exceptional cook is also composed, deliberate, and eager to share the results of their efforts. I consider myself fortunate to have met such a person, and I occasionally regret not being able to cook for them. It seems my role is to be a grateful diner.

Translation

I'm not very good at cooking, but I can always appreciate those who are! Let me tell you about a friend of mine, an excellent chef, how I met her, what she can cook, and why I think she cooks so well.

She's a friend of mine; we met through a running club where I am a member. Now we socialize and I sometimes help her tend to her garden plot. I've also been lucky enough to dine at her place a few times.

Fortunately, she's adept at cooking as she runs her own baking business, custom-making cookies with intricate designs. Additionally, she manages a busy household and regularly prepares delicious, health-conscious meals for her family.

This friend seems capable of preparing anything, anytime, anywhere! She bakes her own bread and can whip up a dinner in an instant using fresh herbs from her garden and eggs from her hens. For my well-being, she makes wholesome meals and also enjoys treating uninvited guests.

Her cookies are famous among her friends and customers, and she has crafted a delicious orange and chocolate cake. However, my favorite dinner is the one she recently prepared for me.

We walked to her plot—a piece of land you can rent from the local government for a small fee as long as you use it for fruit and vegetable cultivation. We planned to work until early morning to prepare the ground on this beautiful summer day.

She came prepared with a small gas stove, a frying pan, and some finely chopped red chili peppers, onions, and other vegetables she had prepared for us along with delicious fried halloumi cheese.

She even thought to bring a light sauce, fresh lettuce leaves, and a wrap to keep the food. We enjoyed our meal after a long day of hard work on the farm while basking in the late afternoon sun. Nothing compares to an “outdoor meal” after a strenuous workout.

Why is she such a skilled cook? She has plenty of experience, enjoys doing it, and in my opinion, it's both her job and her passion. Because she often makes relatively simple yet delicious and healthy dishes presented elegantly (though not overly so), I believe she excels.

In my view, a truly outstanding chef is also calm, unhurried, and willing to share the fruits of their labor. She is someone I consider incredibly fortunate to have met, and sometimes I feel guilty for not cooking for her. It seems that being a grateful diner is my way of contributing.

Vocabulary Highlights

• Allotment (n): lô đất
• Meticulously embellished: trang trí tỉ mỉ
• Hectic (adj): tất bật
• Whip together a supper in a flash: cùng nhau ăn tối trong nháy mắt
• Municipality (n): đô thị
• Prepping the ground (v): chuẩn bị mặt bằng
• Saucepan (n): xoong chảo
• Chopped red peppers: ớt đỏ xắt nhỏ
• Delectable (adj): ngon lành
• Mild dressing: mặc quần áo nhẹ
• Relished (v): thưởng thức
• Toiling on the farm (v): làm việc vất vả trên trang trại
• Basking in the late-afternoon sun (v): phơi nắng cuối chiều
• Strenuous (adj): vất vả

2.2. Example 2

I love eating and have a deep appreciation for many different cuisines from around the world. Since food is essential to our survival, it should be eaten with respect for the country it originates from and, more importantly, the people who raise (the crops) or prepare it. My friend Albert, who I know to be a great cook with deft culinary talents. He is among the best chefs I have ever encountered. He prepares meals that make you want to lick your fingers endlessly and drive you insane.

I originally met him at a culinary expo and have known him for the past three years. Like me, he arrived as a guest and wasn’t a participant. I initially encountered him while we were both enjoying a Moroccan meal at a food stand. I immediately detected his energy because I have a strong affinity for food, and I later discovered that he is an excellent cook.

We connected wonderfully, and ever since, we’ve been close friends. We typically go to these places together because it’s thrilling to admire art with someone who has a more passion for it than you do. He once invited me over to his house to sample some of his cooking, and when I did, I was astounded by what I tasted. That’s when I discovered what a remarkable gift he possesses.

He’s skilled at cooking a wide range of foods, including international cuisine. in addition, he is skilled at cooking Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, and Korean dishes. He is quite knowledgeable about various herbs and spices and is skilled at expertly blending them to produce a distinctive flavor. His specialties include stir-fried noodles, lamb chops, fish tikka, and chicken curry.

His food is not only excellent, but it is also expertly prepared. He pays close attention to every element, including the plate’s colors and the texture of the food. He never skimps on the flavor or quality of the cuisine and always employs the freshest, highest-grade ingredients. Albert has a natural knack for cooking, plus he has devoted his entire life to honing his craft, so I think he’s a good cook.

Translation Piece

I enjoy eating and appreciate various culinary traditions from around the world. Because food is essential to our lives, each meal should be enjoyed with respect for its country of origin and, more importantly, the people who grow or prepare it. My friend Albert, whom I know to be a skilled chef, is one of the best chefs I've ever met. He prepares meals that make you want to lick your fingers incessantly and drive you crazy.

I first met him at a food fair and have known him for three years now. Like me, he came as a guest and not a participant. I first met him while we were both enjoying Moroccan-style food at a food stall. I immediately noticed his energy because I love food so much, and later I discovered that he is an excellent chef.

We became close friends and since then, we've been best friends. We often visit these places together because it's so enjoyable to admire the art alongside someone more passionate about art than yourself. He has invited me to his home to taste some of his dishes, and when I did, I was amazed by what I tasted. That's when I discovered the remarkable gift he possesses.

He has the skills to cook many types of food, including international cuisine. In addition, he excels in cooking Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, and Korean dishes. He is quite knowledgeable about various herbs and spices, and has the skill to blend them expertly to create special flavors. His specialties include stir-fried noodles, lamb ribs, fish tikka, and chicken curry.

His food is not only excellent but also prepared professionally. He pays attention to every detail, including the color of the dish and the texture of the food. He never overlooks the flavor or quality of the dish and always uses the freshest, finest ingredients. Albert has a natural talent for cooking, coupled with a lifelong dedication to honing his craft, so I believe he is a great chef.

Vocabulary Highlights

• Deft culinary (n): nấu ăn khéo léo
• Drive you insane (v): khiến bạn phát điên
• Culinary expo (n): hội chợ ẩm thực
• Detected (v): phát hiện
• Have a strong affinity for food (n): có tình yêu mạnh mẽ với thức ăn
• Astounded (adj): kinh ngạc
• Specialties (n): đặc sản
• Stir-fried noodles (n): mì xào
• Lamb chops (n): sườn cừu
• Honing sb’s craft (v): mài giũa khả năng

3. IELTS Speaking Part 3: Describe a skilled cook you know

3.1. Why do you think some individuals opt for a vegetarian diet?

Even though I’m not a vegetarian, I still think it’s beneficial to consume enough fruits and vegetables. I believe there are various reasons why someone would become a vegetarian, such as religious or health considerations. I believe that many people become vegetarians because they have a strong feeling of moral superiority. Many others do so out of worry for their health because of the pesticides or hormones used in animals, but others just want to lessen their carbon imprint on the world.

• Moral superiority (n): mặt đạo đức tốt
• Pesticides (n): thuốc trừ sâu
• Lessen sb’s carbon imprint (v): giảm bớt dấu vết carbon 

(Although I am not a vegetarian, I still believe that consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables is highly beneficial. I believe there are many reasons why someone chooses to be vegetarian, such as religious or health reasons. I think many people become vegetarians due to their strong moral principles. Others do so out of concern for their health due to pesticides or hormones used on animals, while some simply want to reduce their carbon footprint on the planet.)

3.2. Has the food people consume today changed from the food consumed in the past? If so, in what ways has it changed?

There were fewer options for food in the past, but it was still fresh, and people could rely on its high quality. Therefore, it is not unexpected that our ancestors lived longer than we do. Today, we have the opportunity to sample a variety of cuisines from many cultures and nations, each of which is distinctive and fascinating in its own right. However, despite appearances, there have been several incidences of food poisoning reported, particularly in underdeveloped nations where food safety is a major concern.

• Ancestors (n): tổ tiên
• Distinctive (adj): khác biệt
• Incidences (n): trường hợp

(In the past, there were fewer food choices, but the food was still fresh and people could trust its high quality. Therefore, it is not surprising that our ancestors lived longer than us. Today, we have the opportunity to taste many dishes from various cultures and countries, each with its own unique and appealing characteristics. However, despite appearances, there have been reported cases of food poisoning, especially in less developed countries where food safety is a major concern.)

3.3. How do you envision the evolution of eating habits in the future?

I believe that we shall be compelled to change by necessity. The types of food we can cultivate and produce in large quantities are being significantly changed by climate change. Our diets will have to shift in order to accommodate food production if we want to survive. We can only hope that this will result in smaller, healthier diets, but I’m usually quite dubious. The other option would be for technology to emerge that would better our ability to consume.

• Be compelled to: buộc phải
• Cultivate (v): cày cấy
• Accommodate (v): phù hợp với
• Dubious (adj): mơ hồ