Unit 15: English for Catering

Aims and Objectives

In this unit you will learn and practise vocabulary related to catering.

You will practise the following skills and functions:

• ordering meals

The grammar focus of this unit is:

• Comparative and Superlative Forms of Adjectives

Vocabulary

Terms

	cerveza
	desayuno
	buffet
	guardarropa
	cocinero
	cocina
	plato
	taza
	postre
	comedor
	cena
	plato
	comida
	tenedor
	vaso/copa
	parrilla
	cocina
	cuchillo
	almuerzo
	plato fuerte
	comida
	carta
	servilleta
	no fumador
	pimienta
	plato
	restaurante
	arroz
	sal
	salsa
	autoservice
	sopa
	especialidad
	cuchara
	entrada
	propina
	cocinar
	vegetariano
	camarero
	camarera
	agua
	vino

Phrases

	¿Hay menú del día?
	Quiero pedir, por favor.
	¿Nos trae la cuenta, por favor?
	¿Tiene una mesa para dos?
	¿Cómo quiere la carne?
	¿Nos trae la carta, por favor?
	¿Están listos para pedir?
	Tomaremos el tinto de la casa.

Exercises

Section 1: Vocabulary Practice

Fill in the correct translation for each of the terms below.

1. taza [?]
2. vino [?]
3. sal [?]
4. especialidad [?]
5. cerveza [?]
6. cocinar [?]
7. pimienta [?]
8. propina [?]
9. autoservice [?]
10. ¿Hay menú del día? [?]
11. comida [?]
12. desayuno [?]
13. no fumador [?]
14. comedor [?]
15. guardarropa [?]
16. parrilla [?]
17. carta [?]
18. cena [?]
19. entrada [?]
20. vegetariano [?]
21. cuchara [?]
22. ¿Nos trae la cuenta, por favor? [?]
23. plato [?]
24. buffet [?]
25. ¿Nos trae la carta, por favor? [?]
26. vaso/copa [?]
27. sopa [?]
28. agua [?]
29. tenedor [?]
30. Quiero pedir, por favor. [?]
31. salsa [?]
32. postre [?]
33. cuchillo [?]
34. ¿Cómo quiere la carne? [?]
35. plato fuerte [?]
36. ¿Están listos para pedir? [?]
37. camarera [?]
38. cocina [?]
39. camarero [?]
40. restaurante [?]
41. almuerzo [?]
42. cocinero [?]
43. Tomaremos el tinto de la casa. [?]
44. servilleta [?]
45. ¿Tiene una mesa para dos? [?]
46. arroz [?]

Section 2: Listening Comprehension

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. When would Ramona like to book a table for?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. How many people in her party are vegetarians?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. Why does Morten say Ramona can't take her dog into the restaurant?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. Ramona is allowed to take her dog into the restaurant:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. What does the Head Waiter do?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. Has John made a reservation?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. Why can't John sit by the window?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. Where would John rather sit?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. Who does John follow?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. What does the waiter give John to look at?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. What does John think is a good idea?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. What kind of drink does John order?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. Who takes the order?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. What will the waiter bring right away?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. What is a starter?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. What starters do they order?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. What dish did Pamela choose?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. John orders meat because:

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. What wine do they order?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]

Chose the correct answer.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. Was everything to John's satisfaction?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. What was wrong with the bill?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. How did John pay the bill?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. Was the service charge included in the bill?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. Did John give the waiter a tip?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]

Section 3: General Comprehension

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. It's always better to book your table in advance.

   
   
   

   [?]
2. In some restaurants a Head Waiter shows you to your table.

   
   
   

   [?]
3. An aperitif is drunk after a meal.

   
   
   

   [?]
4. The waiter usually takes your order.

   
   
   

   [?]
5. A starter is the first course.

   
   
   

   [?]
6. Some restaurants are divided into smoking and non-smoking areas.

   
   
   

   [?]
7. Still water is carbonated mineral water.

   
   
   

   [?]
8. Some dishes are served with a selection of vegetables.

   
   
   

   [?]
9. A Bloody Mary is a drink.

   
   
   

   [?]
10. VAT is never added to the bill.

    
    
    

    [?]

Speaking Practice. Complete the sentences you hear, using the example as a model.

Press Play to listen to the instructions:

Section 4: Grammar Practice

Using the example as a model, change the structure and make a new sentence.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. A. This restaurant isn't very nice. (the Tropicana)
   B. [?]
2. A. This table isn't very big. (that table)
   B. [?]
3. A. Pamela isn't very hungry. (John)
   B. [?]
4. A. The soup isn't very hot. (the tomatoes)
   B. [?]
5. A. The fish isn't very good. (the steak)
   B. [?]
6. A. A labrador isn't a small dog. (a chihuaha)
   B. [?]

Using the example as a model, change the structure and make a new sentence.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. A. This dining room is very elegant. (the dining room at the Ritz)
   B. [?]
2. A. These chairs are quite comfortable. (the other chairs)
   B. [?]
3. A. English is pretty difficult. (Japanese)
   B. [?]
4. A. This fish is very expensive. (the steak)
   B. [?]
5. A. Oslo is beautiful. (Prague)
   B. [?]
6. A. Indian cooking is interesting. (Chinese cooking)
   B. [?]

Using the example as a model, change the structure and make a new sentence.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. A. Have you got a bigger table?
   B. [?]
2. A. Have you got a better wine?
   B. [?]
3. A. Have you got a cheaper menu?
   B. [?]
4. A. Have you got any colder beer?
   B. [?]
5. A. Have you got a cleaner glass?
   B. [?]
6. A. Have you got a sharper knife?
   B. [?]

Using the example as a model, change the structure and make a new sentence.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Example:

1. A. Haven't you got a more comfortable chair?
   B. [?]
2. A. Haven't you got a more expensive wine?
   B. [?]
3. A. Haven't you got a more popular menu?
   B. [?]
4. A. Haven't you got any more modern music?
   B. [?]
5. A. Haven't you got a more beautiful waitress?
   B. [?]
6. A. Haven't you got a more intelligent waiter?
   B. [?]

Chose the correct answer.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
2. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
3. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
4. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
5. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
6. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
7. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
8. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
9. a. 
   b. 
   

   [?]
10. a. 
    b. 
    

    [?]

Section 5: Consolidation

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

Recording: show transcript

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. Waiters and waitresses must know how to lay a table.

   
   
   

   [?]
2. It doesn't matter where you put the knives and forks on a table.

   
   
   

   [?]
3. Running a restaurant is simple.

   
   
   

   [?]
4. Catering is only about food.

   
   
   

   [?]
5. Catering includes many kinds of work.

   
   
   

   [?]
6. Caterers often plan events like company receptions.

   
   
   

   [?]
7. Schools and factories sometimes have their own catering staff.

   
   
   

   [?]
8. Catering companies often take food to schools and factories.

   
   
   

   [?]
9. You need to like cooking to enjoy catering.

   
   
   

   [?]
10. Running a catering business is easy work. .

    
    
    

    [?]

Listen to the complete recording first. Then go to the textbox and use the > key to listen to the text section by section. Type what you hear into the textbox. For detailed instructions, read the Exercise Help.

Recording: show transcript

[?]

Listen to the recording carefully and then fill in the gaps in the text below using the same words.

Recording:

Somebody of course [?] to cook, and finally tables must be cleared [?] and somebody has to wash [?].

Catering can also mean preparing food and serving it [?] in a restaurant, [?] in places like schools or factories, or preparing meals in one place and serving them in [?]. Sometimes caterers don't [?] take food to a party, a company reception or a wedding, but have to plan the [?] event. If you are creative, love cooking and enjoy working with people, catering [?] be an exciting profession which demands hard work and the ability to work [?] pressure.

Choose the correct option to fill the gaps in the following sentences.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

1. I don't like fish ____

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
2. I'm afraid ____ pets are allowed.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
3. I'd like some prawns to start ____

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
4. ____ our dishes are served with a selection of vegetables.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
5. Could I have a ____ table?

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
6. We didn't have ____ vegetables.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
7. I'd ____ sit indoors.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
8. We look forward to ____ you again.

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
9. ____ water is a mineral water

   a. 
   b. 
   c. 
   

   [?]
10. Spoons, forks and ____ are tableware.

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
11. You need the ability to work under____ .

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
12. Running a catering company is very much ____running a restaurant

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
13. Good afternoon, this is Tropicana. Jose ____.

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
14. No, I'm ____ sorry.

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
15. You need to like cooking ____ enjoy catering.

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
16. He shows the guests to ____ table

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
17. I'm ____ a friend

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
18. I'm afraid no ____ are allowed

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
19. How many ____ are in your party?

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]
20. What would you like for your ____ course?

    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    

    [?]

Checklist

Use the following list to check whether you have obtained full benefit from this unit. You should be able to:

• order a meal in a restaurant

You should also have greater skill and confidence in the use of:

• Comparatives
• Superlatives