Discussion topic · Speaking
Food & cooking
Everyone eats, and everyone has opinions. It's the easiest conversation in the world — so let's get students sharing theirs.
Warm-up · ask three
- What did you have for breakfast this morning?
- If you could eat anything right now, what would it be?
- Who is the best cook you know — and what do they make?
What's on your plate?
Let's talk
Discussion questions
Project the generator and let it cold-call a question. Filter by level, then give a student 60 seconds to talk. Browse the full decks below.
Random question generator
Press “New question” to put one on the board.
Deck 1
Your favourites
- What's your all-time favourite dish — to cook or to eat?A2
- Sweet or savoury — which way does your taste go? Give examples.A2
- What's your favourite meal of the day, and why?A2
- Are there any foods you really can't stand? Why?A2
- Do you love trying new foods, or do you stick to what you know?B1
Deck 2
Cooking & recipes
- Have you ever cooked a dish from another country? How did it turn out?B1
- What's the most ambitious thing you've ever tried to make?B1
- Can you describe a dish you know well — the ingredients and the steps?B1
- Have you ever followed a recipe that went completely wrong?B1
- Do you cook for others? What's the best meal you've made for someone?B1
Deck 3
Food & culture
- What do people eat on special occasions where you're from?A2
- What are some traditional dishes from your country, and how are they made?B1
- How important is food when your family or friends get together?B1
- Are there foods it would be rude to refuse in your culture?B2–C1
- How do eating habits in your country differ from those elsewhere?B2–C1
Deck 4
Tastes & adventures
- What's the most unusual food you've ever tried? Did you like it?A2
- What food could you honestly never give up?A2
- If you had to eat one meal every day for a year, what would it be?A2
- Is there a food you were scared to try but ended up loving?B1
- What's a food trend you think is completely overrated?B2–C1
Deck 5
Big questions
- If you could invite anyone to dinner, who would it be and what would you cook?B1
- How do you feel about food waste — should people be more careful?B2–C1
- Is home cooking dying out, or making a comeback?B2–C1
- Should fast food be taxed the way cigarettes are? Why or why not?B2–C1
- Does knowing where food comes from change how it tastes?B2–C1
Talk for longer
Useful language
Give students the words to describe what's on the plate. Pre-teach a handful, then challenge them to slip three into the discussion or the game.
Sentence starters
Scaffolding for A2–B1 — finish the sentence about you.
Describing taste
Likes & dislikes
Talking about cooking
Recommending
Words & phrases
Collocations to upgrade B1–C1 speaking.
to make something quickly and easily
"I'll whip up a quick pasta."
something you learn to like over time
"Blue cheese is an acquired taste."
looking or smelling delicious
"The whole menu looked mouth-watering."
food that makes you feel good and cosy
"Soup is my ultimate comfort food."
extremely hungry (informal)
"I'm starving — let's eat now."
having very little flavour
"The soup was a bit bland."
to add salt, pepper or spices
"Season it to taste before serving."
Flavour word bank
Quick describing words for the game and the discussion.
Model dialogue
Cooking with Sophia & Liam
Read it together, notice the highlighted phrases, then act it out — and finally pitch your own restaurant.
In Sophia's kitchen, ingredients everywhere. Two friends are cooking together.
Right, you're on chopping duty. I thought we'd whip up some homemade gnocchi.
From scratch? Bold. I usually just order this kind of thing.
That's the difference between us — you eat out, I cook in. So what's your signature dish?
Honestly? A really good Thai green curry. Spicy, a little sweet… I could eat it every day.
Now that's making me hungry. Have you ever cooked something from another country?
I tried paella once. The rice was a disaster, but it sort of worked in the end.
Respect. The strangest thing I've made is probably a chocolate mousse out of avocado.
Avocado? In a dessert? That sounds so wrong.
I know, but trust me — it's rich and creamy, you'd never guess. It's a bit of an acquired taste, though.
I'll give it a go. Speaking of weird, I tried durian when I was travelling. The smell… never again.
Ha! See, that's why I love cooking — you control exactly what goes in.
Fair enough. Okay, teach me this gnocchi. If it's mouth-watering, I might actually start cooking more.
Deal. Season that water while I sort the dough — and don't you dare order a pizza later.
Now pitch your own restaurant
Student A · the chef
You care about the food
You want incredible dishes and bold flavours. Push for a menu you'd be proud to cook every night.
Student B · the businessperson
You care about the customers
You want a clear concept, a catchy name, and a reason people will actually come back. Keep it sellable.
Your mission
- Agree on a restaurant concept and a name you both love.
- Choose three signature dishes and describe them using flavour words.
- Decide who your restaurant is for and why people should visit.
- Pitch it to the class in 60 seconds — use at least three phrases from the Useful language section.
Classroom game
Food Taboo
One student describes the food word so their team can guess it — but they can't say any of the forbidden words. Most correct guesses in 60 seconds wins the round.
Describe this
Ready?
Don't say
How to play: Teams take turns. Hit Start round, describe each card, and tap Got it for every correct guess. Say a forbidden word? Pass and move on. Switch teams when time's up.
Wind down & write
Choose your writing task
Pick one prompt to finish in class or as homework. Every option keeps students writing about food they care about.
01
Describe your favourite meal in detail. What makes it so special?
02
Write about an unforgettable meal you had with family or friends. Why does it stay with you?
03
Design your dream restaurant: its theme, the food it serves, and why people should visit.
04
Write about a time you cooked something new. What happened, and would you make it again?
05
Plan a dream dinner party. Who would you invite, and what would you serve them?
Exit ticket · 60 seconds
Before you leave
Quick round-the-room close: each student answers in one sentence. A fast way to end on a personal, appetising note.
"Name one dish from today's lesson you now want to try — and say why."