ESL Podcast 477 – Planning a Gourmet Meal

Hung: I can’t believe that the famous food critic, Julia Schilds, will be eating in my restaurant tomorrow night. I need to prepare a gourmet¹ menu that’s going to be mind-blowing.

Padma: She wouldn’t be coming here if she didn’t already know that your cuisine² is considered some of the best food in the city.

Hung: That may be so, but you’re only as good as your last meal. I need to think of some delicacies³ that will really impress her. Let’s see, I think we should offer two new hors d’oeuvres, in addition to the ones already on the menu.

Padma: Are you sure the chefs in the kitchen will be able to handle making six different hors d’oeuvres?

Hung: Hmm, maybe not.

Padma: Why don’t you concentrate on the entrees⁴? I’m sure you could come up with one or two new dishes that will really impress her.

Hung: Okay, but I don’t want to put all of my eggs in one basket. I need to have dishes in every course that are out of this world.

Padma: Come on. You’re a great chef. What’s the worst she could say?

Hung: Lots of things. She could say that this is a run-of-the-mill restaurant with mediocre⁵ food that she wouldn’t even feed to her cat!

Padma: Okay, yes, she could say those things but she won’t. Your food will be mouthwatering and delectable⁶, and her taste buds will thank you for it!


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 gourmet   

n.食物品尝家；adj.出于美食家之手的

参考例句：

• What does a gourmet writer do? 美食评论家做什么？
• A gourmet like him always eats in expensive restaurants.像他这样的美食家总是到豪华的餐馆用餐。

2 cuisine   

n.烹调，烹饪法

参考例句：

• This book is the definitive guide to world cuisine.这本书是世界美食的权威指南。
• This restaurant is renowned for its cuisine.这家餐馆以其精美的饭菜而闻名。

3 delicacies   

n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到

参考例句：

• Its flesh has exceptional delicacies. 它的肉异常鲜美。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• After these delicacies, the trappers were ready for their feast. 在享用了这些美食之后，狩猎者开始其大餐。 来自英汉非文学 - 民俗

4 entrees   

n.入场权( entree的名词复数 )；主菜

参考例句：

• Can I also take you order for your entrees now? 现在要不要也点主菜？ 来自互联网
• Before the entrees are served, the waiter first serves four cold dishes. 在正菜上桌之前，服务员先上了四个凉碟。 来自互联网

5 mediocre   

adj.平常的，普通的

参考例句：

• The student tried hard,but his work is mediocre. 该生学习刻苦，但学业平庸。
• Only lazybones and mediocre persons could hanker after the days of messing together.只有懒汉庸才才会留恋那大锅饭的年代。

6 delectable   

adj.使人愉快的；美味的

参考例句：

• What delectable food you cook!你做的食品真好吃！
• But today the delectable seafood is no longer available in abundance.但是今天这种可口的海味已不再大量存在。