IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe someone you know who is a good cook.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know him or her
- what kinds of food he/she cooks
and explain why you think this person is a good cook.
Follow-up Questions:
- What are the prospects of building a career as a cook in your country?
- What special dishes do you want to taste in the future? [Why?]
- What traditional food from your country would you like your foreign friends to try? [Why?]
Model Answer 1:
I don’t really think that we would ever meet anybody who dislikes a person who is remarkably good at cooking. In fact, nothing brings a family closer to each other than some delicious cuisines on the dining table, especially when they are made by a “passionate and expert” cook, and today I would like to talk about one such cook.
The person I would like to talk about today is none other than my aunt, whom I have known for more than the last 25 years, since the days I started to remember things, and who happens to be a frequent visitor to my family. Before meeting my aunt, I had no idea that a person could be so passionate about cooking and taking it to a level of “art” by spending so much of her time and effort.
In fact, my aunt has been so popular within her circle because of her great cooking expertise that she is frequently consulted by friends and foes alike on what kinds of food to cook at certain social functions and gatherings, or how to best cook them. Interestingly enough, though, my aunt – we like to call her “Roselyn”- never really attended any culinary schools or institutes. But, she practically knows how to cook many different kinds of cuisines, be it Mexican, Italian, Chinese or Mediterranean, from across the continents in perfection to the delights of all kinds of food lovers from all ages and cultures.
Anyway, I think that Roselyn is really good at cooking because she makes “cooking” look absolutely easy, no matter what kinds of cuisines she cooks, and how many people she is cooking for. In fact, I have always found my aunt to remain in a really relaxed mood while cooking, and yet manage to prepare some surprisingly delicious foods with ease. I think that my aunt is very good at cooking also because she always likes to try new recipes – many of her own – and experiment with them by trying different combinations for hours until she is fully satisfied.
Model Answer 2:
Unfortunately, I am a terrible cook, but I can always appreciate those who can cook a delicious meal! I’m going to tell you about a friend of mine who is a wonderful chef, how I know her, what she can cook and why I think she is so great at it.
This person is a friend of mine, I know her through a running club I belong to, and as I’ve got to know her better over the years, we now socialise together. I also sometimes help her with her allotment, and I’ve been lucky enough to eat at her house many times. She runs her own business, making bespoke biscuits, carefully decorated with original designs, so it’s just as well she can cook. But she also runs a busy household and regularly cooks delicious, wholesome meals for her family.
This friend can seemingly cook anything, anywhere! She makes her own bread and can conjure a meal at a moment’s notice using eggs from her hens and herbs from her garden. She cooks and prepares healthy food and, fortunately for me, seems to enjoy catering for unexpected guests too. She makes very fine chocolate and orange cake, and her biscuits are famous amongst her friends as well as her clients. However, for me, a favourite meal was one she made for me recently.
We went up to work on her allotment – that’s an area of land you can rent for a small fee from the local council as long as you use it for growing fruit and vegetables. It was a lovely summer’s day, and we planned to work into the evening preparing the ground. She had planned ahead. She brought up a small gas burner, a saucepan and some chopped red peppers, onions and other vegetables, which she cooked up for us with some delicious fried halloumi cheese. She had even thought to bring fresh salad leaves, a light dressing and a sort of wrap to hold it all together. After our hard work on the land, we enjoyed the late evening sun and ate with relish. Nothing tastes as good as “food eaten outside” after physical work.
Why is she so good at cooking? I think it’s partly because she enjoys it, she has had a lot of practice, and it is her passion as well as her profession. I think she is good because she uses fresh and quality ingredients, quite simple recipes often, but tasty, nutritious and beautifully – though not over-fussily – presented. I also think a really great cook is calm, relaxed and enjoys the sharing of their labour; she is all these things too. I feel very lucky to know her, and feel a little guilty that I don’t ever cook in return! It seems it is my contribution to always be a particularly appreciative consumer… it is a hard job, but someone has to do it!
[ Written by – Lucy Marris | Careers Adviser (UK), TEFL teacher (Vietnam) ]
Model Answer 3:
Not sure about the others, but I always try to take my time to learn about or talk to a cook after enjoying some great dishes, prepared by someone I know. Today, I would like to talk about a person who, I think, is one of the best cooks I have ever known.
His name is Pradeep Singh, and he works at one of the most popular and busiest restaurants in my hometown. I had visited his restaurant a number of times before, but I met him in person only about a few months ago when I was attending a formal dinner party at his restaurant in order to celebrate the birthday of one of my friends.
At that dinner party, I saw Mr Pradeep, a strong-built guy in his mid-40s, approaching me with a smiling face with his “chef apron” on him. He introduced himself to us by telling us that it was his customary “chef-style” to come to his customers if they were having any formal dinner party at his restaurant. I also thanked him for serving me some of the best mutton biriyani, butter chicken (prepared in buttery gravy style, mixed with a mildly spiced tomato sauce) and malai kofta (an Indian vegetarian dish made of potato and cheese balls, dunked in smooth, rich and creamy gravy) I had ever eaten. However, even though Pradeep is excellent at cooking traditional Indian foods, he is also equally able to cook many oriental dishes from China and Japan, as well as European, Mexican and Italian dishes to perfection. In fact, I can say this because I have already tried some of these delicious dishes, prepared by Pradeep, in the past.
Anyway, I think that Pradeep is good at cooking because he is never afraid of experimenting with different combinations by using different kinds of food ingredients. His approach of serving different kinds of food and menus on different days in order to surprise his customers certainly makes him a good cook. Finally, I think, he is a good cook because he really loves his profession.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe someone you know who is a good cook. You are expected to mention who this person is, how you know him or her, what types of food they usually prepare, and why you believe they are skilled at cooking. To make your answer more engaging, you should include specific dishes, cooking style, and perhaps how their food tastes or feels. You can also talk about occasions when you ate their food and how it impressed you. Adding small personal experiences will make your response more natural and convincing. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your own answer.
1. My mother:
The person I know who is an excellent cook is my mother, and I have known her all my life. She prepares a wide variety of traditional dishes, including rice, curries and homemade desserts. Her food always tastes balanced and comforting. I think she is a great cook because she cooks with care and experience, and her dishes always remind me of home.
2. My elder sister:
Someone I know who cooks very well is my elder sister, and I have seen her cooking since my childhood. She enjoys making both traditional and modern dishes, including pasta and baked items. Her food is always creative and well-presented. I think she is a good cook because she experiments with recipes and makes them even better.
3. A close friend:
A friend of mine is a very good cook, and I got to know about this when I visited his house. He usually cooks simple but delicious meals like fried rice and grilled dishes. His cooking style is quick but effective. I think he is a good cook because he can make tasty food even with limited ingredients.
4. My grandmother:
The person I admire for cooking is my grandmother, whom I have known since childhood. She prepares traditional recipes that have been passed down through generations. Her food is rich in flavour and made with patience. I believe she is a great cook because of her experience and deep understanding of ingredients.
5. A professional chef I know:
I know a professional chef who works in a restaurant, and I met him through a family connection. He cooks a variety of dishes, including international cuisines. His presentation and taste are both impressive. I think he is a good cook because of his training, creativity and attention to detail.
6. My neighbour:
One of my neighbours is a wonderful cook, and I have tasted her food during family gatherings. She cooks traditional meals and special desserts. Her dishes are always fresh and flavourful. I think she is a good cook because she cooks with passion and consistency.
7. My cousin:
My cousin is someone I know who cooks really well, especially during family events. She prepares a mix of traditional and modern dishes. Her cooking is both tasty and visually appealing. I think she is a good cook because she pays attention to detail and presentation.
8. My father:
Another person I know who is a good cook is my father, although he cooks occasionally. He usually prepares special dishes like barbecue or festive meals. His food is always rich and enjoyable. I think he is a good cook because he puts effort into making meals special.
9. A teacher I know:
I know a teacher who is also an excellent cook, and I found this out during a school event. She prepared a variety of homemade dishes that everyone enjoyed. Her cooking was simple yet delicious. I think she is a good cook because she can make food that appeals to everyone.
More tips for answering this topic:
You can talk about one of your family members who you know is good at cooking. Alternatively, you can talk about a famous cook from your city and country. This topic asks you to talk about a person who is a good cook. So you can describe a famous cook who is not personally known to you, but you have heard about him/her from the newspaper, the Internet or TV. But specifically, mention that you have heard about his/her cooking skills and fame from a source, and never met him/her personally.
You can also talk about your mother/sisters, or grandmother and describe her cooking ability. Talking about a family member/ friend or relative would help you describe them in detail, and you would be able to give more information about them than a famous cook whom you know very little about.
Interestingly, males are also good at cooking, so you can pick your father, uncle or brother as well and describe their cooking skills. It would be alluring to talk about yourself if you are a good cook. But avoid that! Describing your cooking ability and skills, as well as other qualities, would be a bit tricky to talk about.
Things you should mention about the person you would like to describe as a good cook:
» Can cook several delicious dishes.
» Has a natural talent for cooking food.
» People always appreciate the dishes she/he cooks.
» She/he has learned cooking from his/her family and has no academic training in cooking.
» Or, She/he has taken a course on cooking and thus his/ her interests in cooking developed.
» She enjoys cooking and loves to experiment with different dishes.
Sample Answer 4:
Thank you for this great topic. To answer it, I’m going to talk about my friend Jesmin, who is the best cook I personally know. She has prepared many great meals for me, and I can’t remember a single occasion when I disliked her meal. I know that every time I go around to her place to eat, I’ll be given something wonderful and tasty!
Jesmin isn’t a professional chef or anything like that, but I do think that she could easily make a living as a cook and could earn some reputation from it. In fact, she’s a teacher at an elementary school and has a full-time job, which means she can only ever cook in her spare time.
I first got to know her when we were at the same school. We were both students in the same class, and didn’t know anyone else, and we became close because we lived in the same neighbourhood. Even back then, she was a terrific cook, and she would invite me over to her room on a regular basis.
During the college days, neither of us had much money, but while I survived on a diet of marmite sandwiches, she would make soups and stews – the sort of really practical food that lasts for a while and can be re-heated and costs very little to make because the ingredients are so cheap.
What kind of food does she cook? Well, she’s got a little more adventurous since our student days, and she now has a huge variety of dishes. She’s quite experimental, and so you can never quite tell what kind of food will be served up when you go around her. It could be traditional French cuisine, a pizza, a mixed salad, Spanish paella or even a curry.
I think what makes her so good at cooking is that she loves food herself, and she loves entertaining people. She makes food that she thinks people will enjoy. Her passion for cooking and love for a delicious meal make her stand out from the crowd as an exceptional cook.
Model Answer 5:
I know some of my relatives who are very good at cooking, and I have heard about some famous cooks, nationally and internationally, who have magical powers of making delicious cuisines. But I’d like to talk about my mother, who I think is the greatest cook in the world. I have never enjoyed any menu more than the foods made by my mother. She is a gifted cook, and she has a good reputation for making delicious and tasty meals out of very ordinary ingredients.
The way she arranges the kitchen and makes foods is lovely, and in my childhood, I used to think that she had taken training in cooking. But she actually learned cooking from her family and was in charge of cooking for a large joint family. She is a graduate, and I heard that she has a passion for cooking as she took several subjects related to housekeeping and cooking.
My mother was raised in a suburban area and got married in her early 20s. She continued her education and then took charge of cooking in my father’s family. I have heard the appreciation of her cooking from many of our relatives and neighbours, and felt proud of her.
Finding her cooking gives me a feeling that it’s not a hard task, rather it’s an artistic performance that the performer enjoys a lot. Sometimes I have been amazed to find her making food in no time for the guests.
She mostly makes foods for the family members, and that includes making and cooking bread, rice, meats, fish, burgers, sweet meats, curry and so on. For the festivals, she makes cakes, rich foods, and snacks, as well as local and foreign cuisines. I have found her cooking Chinese, Thai, Italian and Mexican foods as well, and it was always a wonder how she has learned those menus, as she has never travelled to those countries nor has taken any training on making those foods. It will always be a mystery to me.
Sample Answer 6:
I feel lucky to have been given this topic, and as soon as I looked at it, I knew that I’d like to talk about my friend, Erin, who is an exceptional cook. But before anything else, thank you so much for the opportunity to let me talk about this topic. Erin and I have been close friends since college, and her culinary skills never fail to amaze me.
Erin is a dear friend of mine whom I met during our freshman year at university. Over the years, we’ve shared many memorable moments, including numerous gatherings where she has showcased her talent in the kitchen. Erin and I became friends during our college days. We were part of the same social circle and bonded over our shared interests, including a love for good food and cooking.
Erin is incredibly versatile in the kitchen and can whip up a wide range of dishes from various cuisines. From mouthwatering Italian pasta dishes to flavorful Asian stir-fries, and from hearty Mexican tacos to delicate French pastries, Erin’s repertoire knows no bounds. She particularly excels in baking, delighting us with her delectable cakes, cookies, and pies on special occasions.
Erin’s prowess in cooking comes from her innate creativity, attention to detail, and passion for culinary experimentation. She approaches cooking as both an art and a science, meticulously selecting the freshest ingredients, experimenting with different flavour combinations, and paying careful attention to cooking techniques and presentation. Moreover, her genuine love for cooking shines through in every dish she prepares, infusing her creations with warmth, flavour, and love.
Follow-up Questions:
Q. What are the prospects of building a career as a cook in your country?
Answer: I’d say the prospects are quite strong in Malaysia because food is a huge part of our culture. There’s always a demand for skilled cooks, whether in restaurants, street food businesses, or even online food ventures. If someone is talented and consistent, they can build a good reputation quite quickly, especially with the rise of food delivery and social media.
Q. What special dishes do you want to taste in the future? [Why?]
Answer: I’d love to try more authentic international dishes, especially something like traditional Japanese omakase or high-quality Italian cuisine. I’m curious about how those dishes are prepared in their original form, because I think the experience would be very different from what we usually get locally.
Q. What traditional food from your country would you like your foreign friends to try? [Why?]
Answer: I’d definitely recommend nasi lemak, because it’s considered our national dish and it really represents Malaysian flavours. It has a perfect balance of spicy, savoury, and creamy tastes, and it gives a very complete introduction to our food culture in just one meal.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card:
Culinary: Related to cooking or the kitchen.
Example: My aunt has exceptional culinary skills, especially when it comes to traditional family recipes.
Savoury: Belonging to the category that is salty or spicy rather than sweet.
Example: He is a master at creating savoury dishes that are rich in depth and flavour.
Seasoning: Salt, herbs, or spices added to food to enhance the flavour.
Example: She has an intuitive sense for seasoning, knowing exactly when to add a pinch of cumin or a sprig of rosemary.
Palate: A person’s appreciation of taste and flavour.
Example: Because he has such a refined palate, he can identify every individual ingredient in a complex sauce.
Signature dish: A recipe that identifies an individual chef or cook; their most famous or best-prepared meal.
Example: Her signature dish is a slow-roasted lamb that is so tender it practically melts in your mouth.
Gourmet: Involving high-quality or exotic ingredients and skilled preparation.
Example: Even a simple Tuesday night dinner feels like a gourmet experience when she is in the kitchen.
Presentation: The way in which food is arranged and served on the plate.
Example: He believes that we eat with our eyes first, so his presentation is always artistic and meticulous.
Infuse: To soak something in a liquid to extract its flavour or properties.
Example: She loves to infuse olive oil with chilli and garlic to give her pasta dishes an extra kick.
Texture: The feel, appearance, or consistency of a surface or a substance (in food, how it feels in the mouth).
Example: A great cook understands the importance of contrasting textures, like adding crunchy nuts to a soft salad.
Versatile: Able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities.
Example: He is a very versatile cook who is equally comfortable baking delicate pastries as he is grilling steaks.
Aromatics: Vegetables, herbs, or spices heated in oil or butter to release their flavours as a base for a dish.
Example: The house always smells incredible when she starts sautéing aromatics like onions and ginger.
Simmer: To stay just below the boiling point while being heated.
Example: He lets his tomato sauce simmer for hours to allow the flavours to fully develop.
Hearty: (Of a meal) wholesome and substantial.
Example: On cold winter evenings, he usually prepares a hearty beef stew that is incredibly comforting.
Connoisseur: An expert judge in matters of taste.
Example: While she isn’t a professional, she is a true connoisseur of spices and knows how to blend them perfectly.
Zest: The colourful outer peel of citrus fruits used as flavouring.
Example: Adding a bit of lemon zest to the cake batter gives it a refreshing, vibrant flavour.
Gastronomy: The practice or art of choosing, cooking, and eating good food.
Example: His passion for gastronomy is evident in the way he studies the history of every recipe he tries.
If you prepare for the topic “Describe someone you know who is a good cook”, you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe someone you know who is good at cooking.
2) Describe someone you know who does something well.
3) Describe a person whom you admire for a skill he or she has.
4) Describe something you learned from your family members.
5) Describe a useful skill you have.
6) Describe a meal that you have shared with friends.
7) Describe a skill you would like to learn.
8) Describe one of your friends who has a skill you admire.