All Exercise Solution
Unit : 6 Food and Cuisine
Reading II (page 94)
Look at the picture and answer these questions.
a. Who do you think the man in the picture is?
b. What is he famous for?
You Inspire Others by Learning, not by Teaching
Nepali chef Santosh Shah is now shortlisted in the semis for the title of MasterChef: The Professionals 2020 on BBC One. Nepali Times caught up with Santosh Shah in London to talk about his life and career so far.
From Siraha to Cinnamon Kitchen! Quite a journey. How did it begin?
I come from a very humble background. My father passed away when I was five years old. I started to work when I was around 9-10, engaging in petty trade. After I failed SLC, I followed what others in my village did - go to India.
I used to wash the skewer of a chef who worked in the tandoor section. I told him that I wanted to be a chef as well, and wanted to help him. He advised me to talk to the Executive Chef. One day, when I was serving tea to the Executive Chef, I requested him to give me a shot, and he did. I started helping the chef in the tandoor section who had originally recommended me.
From there I transferred to another hotel. I started taking a hotel man- agreement course, learnt English and computers on the side. Within seven years of hard work, I became an executive chef.
How does it feel to be in MasterChef? What has the experience been like?
In many ways, it feels the same. I am the same person experimenting with recipes and enjoying my job to the fullest. It also feels great to have the platform to introduce Nepali food to the world. I am glad to have made it this far. Even if I don't win, I am glad I was able to put the spotlight on Nepali cuisine.
It is difficult to say what "Nepali" cuisine is, as it is so diverse.
How do you answer that when your international audience ask you the question?
I have been experimenting with Nepali food for the last two years. Our food, especially along our borders are influenced by Tibetan and Indian cuisine, but that is not the entirety of our diverse dishes. That is what I want the world to know. There is no yomari, choila, kachila, tama, gundruk outside Nepal. Our food is unique and diverse and varies by castes or geography, we have different techniques and ingredients.
Personally, what are the best aspects of Nepali cuisine for you? How much do you experiment, or do you try to keep to traditional ingredients and preparations?
Let me share an example. I know sukuti is a familiar, nostalgic food, and I am fond of sukuti dishes. But to outsiders unfamiliar with the texture, the hardness of the meat may not be palatable. So, I experiment with it and try to dehydrate it for different periods of time to soften it while making sure the original taste is not lost. Food trends are dynamic. The Indian food trend has been there for long while in the last few years, I have seen an increase in the trend for Sri Lankan food. These come in waves, and I want a trend for Nepali food as well. beyond just momo and dal-bhat, so people actively seek out Nepali food and appreciate it for its diversity and richness.
In one of your shows you prepared an octopus dish in Nepali style. How did it go?
We need to understand that this is a global competition for a global audience. When I was working in an Indian kitchen, I had experimented with octopus recipes with Indian flavor. Having made that a few hundred times, I had the urge and confidence to try it with Nepali ingredients and it worked great. So, I went with it in the show. It was described by the judges as. "The most beautiful plate of food I have ever been served in MasterChef."
What advice do you have for other Nepalis who are also going abroad to make a future for themselves?
My advice to young Nepalis is to never stop learning, you are never too old to learn new things and to improve your craft. Asking what is next is important. Keep learning and be a positive force to others. You inspire others by learning, not by teaching.
So, what is next?
I am now set to start a high-end fine dining Nepali restaurant in London. The tentative name is Ayla' by Santosh Shah. I am hopeful that this will help create a separate identity for Nepali cuisine.
My ultimate goal is the Michelin Star for Ayla, which is the Oscar equivalent for Chefs. That would further help elevate the profile of Nepali cuisine globally. (Adapted from Nepali Times)
Vocabulary
humble [ˈhʌm.bl̩] - having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance.
Skewer /ˈskjuːər/ - a long thin pointed piece of metal or wood that is pushed through pieces of meat, vegetables, etc.
tandoor /tɑːnˈdʊr/ - a method of cooking meat on a long straight piece of metal (called a spit) in a clay oven called a tandoor.
shot |ʃɒt| - an attempt to do something
entirety /ɪnˈtɑɪ·rə·t̬i| - the whole of something
nostalgic /nɑːˈstældʒɪk/ - having or bringing a sad feeling mixed with pleasure when you think of happy times in the past
dehydrate/ˌdiː.haɪˈdreɪt/ - to lose water, or to cause water to be lost from something, especially from a person's body: Air travel dehydrates the body.
tentative /ˈtentətɪv/ - not certain
elevate /ˈelɪveɪt/ - to raise something to a higher position, level or rank
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Exercises
A. Complete the crossword puzzle with the help of the meanings given below.
ACROSS
3. a method of cooking meat or other food in a cylindrical clay oven - TANDOOR
7. a person having administrative or supervisory power in an organization - EXECUTIVE
DOWN
1. a long pin for holding meat or other food while it is being roasted
SKEWER
2. the whole of something ENTIRETY
4. a feeling of pleasure and sometimes slight sadness at the same time as you think about things in the past NOSTALGIA
5. raise to a more important or im- pressive level ELEVATE
6. remove water from (food) in order to preserve and store it
TANDOOR
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B. Write True for true and False for false statements. If the information is not given in the text, write NG.
a. The interview was taken in Nepal. False
b. The judges were quite impressed by Santosh Shah's
performance in the quarter-finals. Not Given
c. Santosh Shah was from a well-to-do family. False
d. With the support of the chef in the tandoor section,
Santosh started helping the Executive Chef. False
e. The journey of Santosh to MasterChef was full of
struggles. True
f. Santosh is hopeful about the Nepali food market as the
food trends are dynamic. True
g. Santosh has made more experiments on food as the tastes
of people differ geographically. True
h. Santosh feels sorry for serving octopus in Nepali style.
False
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2. Answer these questions.
a. What do you think is the reason that heightened the popularity of Chef Shah?
Ans:- The reason that heightened the popularity of Chef Shah is his participation and success in the Master Chef: The Professionals 2020 competition on BBC One.
b. Did Shah spend a normal childhood? Why?
Ans:- No, Shah did not spend a normal childhood because his father passed away when he was five years old, and he started working ,engaged in petty trade and later went to India following the path of others in his village.
c. How does Shah feel about his performance in Cinnamon Kitchen?
Ans:-Shah feels satisfied and proud of his performance in Cinnamon Kitchen.
d. What does Shah want to show the world about Nepali food?
Ans:- Shah wants to show the world the diversity and richness of Nepali food. He wants to highlight the unique regional variations, techniques, and ingredients found in Nepali cuisine.
e. Write two things that Chef Shah was careful about while carrying an experiment on sukuti.
Ans:- Two things that Chef Shah was careful about while carrying out an experiment on sukuti were: dehydrating it for different periods of time while preserving the original taste.
f. According to Shah, what two things make a person successful?
Ans:- According to Shah, two things that make a person successful are continuous learning and being a positive force to others.
g. Why does Shah want the Michelin Star for Ayla?
Ans:- Shah wants the Michelin Star for Ayla because it is the equivalent of an Oscar for chefs. It would elevate the profile of Nepali cuisine globally.
h. What have you learnt from the life story of Santosh Shah?
Ans:- From the life story of Santosh Shah, I have learnt the hard work, and determination in overcoming challenges and achieving success. We shouldn’t never stop learning, we are never too old to learn new things and improve our craft. Similarly, we should be a positive force to others to keep learning.
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D. Chef Shah cooked many dishes in the competition. If you were one of the judges in the competition, which food would you ask him to cook? Why?
Ans:- If I were one of the judge in the competition, I would aks chef Shah to cook Yomari. It is Newari traditional Nepali dish that showcases. That shows his unique culinary skills and highlights the diversity of Nepali cuisine. Chef Shah would have the opportunity to demonstrate his mastery of Nepali cuisine and present a dish that truly reflects his culinary journey and heritage.
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Grammar II
Choose the correct time expressions in the sentence below.
The boys are playing cricket (already/now).
The doctors are preparing a report for their most important patient (last/this) week.
The students are preparing for a test (at the moment/usually).
(Currently/Sometimes) the economists are working on the country’s financial crisis.
Susan is playing tennis with Tim (now/then).
What are you doing (this/next) arternoont?
My teacher is helping us with Maths problem (that/this) morning.
The guard is ringing the bell (now/soon). It’s time to go!
She is (still/yet) mowing the lawn.
Answer
a. The boys are playing cricket now.
b. The doctors are preparing a report for their most important
patient this week.
c. The students are preparing for a test at the moment.
d. Currently the economists are working on the country’s
financial crisis.
e. Susan is playing tennis with Tim now.
f. What are you doing this afternoon?
g. My teacher is helping us with Maths problem this morning.
h. The guard is ringing the bell now. It’s time to go!
i. She is still mowing the lawn.
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B. Write NOW if the sentence uses present continuous for action at the moment. AROUND, if action is around the current moment. Or FUTURE if the action is scheduled for future.
The local governments are announcing their policies this month.
I think Mr. Rai is taking class at the moment.
We’re meeting with Nabina later today.
I’m looking for a new job currently.
We’re organizing a programm on Wednesday.
They are coming home right now.
Mom is making dinner for us tonight.
I’m sorry I don;t have time. I’m attending a meeting.
She’s looking for a new home as she’s sold the old one.
Answer
AROUND
NOW
FUTURE
NOW
FUTURE
NOW
FUTURE
NOW
NOW
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C. Complete the text below with the correct form of the verb given in the brackets.
Why is Neelam smiling? It sounds like as easy question: she is having, a good time with friends and she feels good after a good shot. But psychologists often argue about this question. Some believe that smiling is an individual act: we smile because we feel happy unless we try to hide our emotions. Others claim that we smile to build social relationship. Some animal use a grin to show that they will not fight, for example. Perhaps our smile serves the same function. So, who’s right? In one study researchers filmed people blowing. If you watch people doing a very social activity like this, it looks as if they always smile. They stop smiling only when they concentrate on their next shot. But when do they start smiling again? After each good shot, the researcher took photographs to identify when the smile starts - while the player is still looking down the alley or a few seconds later when they turn round to share their happiness with the group.
Writing II
Nowadays, many Nepali prefer fast foods like pizza, burger, etc. to typical Nepali foods. This has an adverse effect on their health. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this claim? Write a couple of paragraphs giving reasons to support your view.
Answer:
Adverse Effects of Fast Food Consumption on Nepalese People
Fast foods have become increasingly popular all over Nepal. Fast foods might be tasty and quick, but frequent consumption can have a negative impact on one’s health. Fast foods can have both positive and negative impacts on life. It is heavy in calories, sugar, fats, sodium, etc that can cause diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, cardiopulmonary diseases and other health issues.
The popularity has led to a decrease in traditional Nepali cuisine, which is often healthier and more nutritious.Traditional Nepali dishes are rich in nutrients.Further more, the popularity of fast food may lead to a decrease in local food production and traditional farming practices.
Last but not least, the marketing and advertising of fast food may promote unhealthy eating habits and contribute to the normalisation of unhealthy food choices. It is essential to promote healthy eating habits and to preserve traditional food cultures while also recognising the convenience and affordability of fast foods.
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