1 . Hunger is the greatest motive for the inexperienced cook. But many people are now worried that we are producing a generation without the slightest idea of how to cook—a generation that is frightened to cook. I have just received a handout from Focus on Food, which is running a competition to get children back into the kitchen. Has television cooking become a replacement for the real thing? Is this an age where famous professional cooks have turned cooking into a sort of show, with dishes far too difficult for the beginners to copy?
I decided to ask my oldest daughter, Miranda, for her opinion. Are children earning enough about the importance of good cooking? Do they know cooking is a basic life skill? Sociology and other “new” subjects are all very well, but without the ability to cook, or to understand the pleasure and principles of good food and its relationship to good health, are we really preparing them for adult life?
Miranda started her cooking at the age of nine, when she decided to enter the Sainsbury’s Future Cook competition. She was motivated by a different kind of greed: the first prize — a trip to Disney World.
The problem, from the parental point of view, was that if she made it through to the regional (区域性的) finals, she would have to cook her meal in front of the judges. Some 30,000 children entered and she made it through as the youngest regional finalist. Now she had to learn to cook. Her hands were not even big enough to hold the knife and slice the onions. Six Saturdays running we ate the same lunch—Mozzarella meatballs in fresh tomato juice and blueberry.
First, she cooked by my side, then alone with timings and instructions. Finally, she went alone against the clock. The kitchen looked like a battlefield, but she had gained victory. The tiny be—capped figure then stood in an unknown Bristol hotel, looking like a professional who had been at the stove for years. She didn’t win, but she came home with £50 and the most valuable part of them all: confidence.
1. The competition run by Focus on Food is intended for ______.| A．children | B．parents | C．teachers | D．chefs |
| A．It is an easy way to keep healthy. | B．It helps develop relationships. |
| C．It is a necessary skill for life. | D．It can save a lot of money. |
| A．the family stuck to healthy food | B．Miranda had to practice cooking |
| C．the dish was the family’s only food | D．the dish was Miranda’s favorite meal |
| A．A trip to Disney World. | B．Support from friends. |
| C．A medal for the winner. | D．Belief in herself. |
2 . Which meal kit service is right for you?
As the simple act of shopping and preparing food for dinner becomes harder to fit in, a way to help meet consumer needs and change the way we shop and eat has grown: meal-delivery plans. Here’s a quick review of some popular options:
1. HelloFresh
HelloFresh provides high-quality ingredients （烹饪原料） and generous portions（分量）, with recipes that are generally easy to prepare. The clear, step-by-step instructions get even the newest home chefs up to speed, and the recipe cards are well-made, so you can refer to your favorite recipes again and again.
There are meals for almost any lifestyle, including vegetarian（素食）options, low- calorie meals and “quick” recipes that get dinner on the table fast.
Cost: $8.75 to $9.99 per serving, with up to 16 servings per week.
2. Freshly
Get fresh, home-cooked food without the trouble of actually cooking. This subscription service delivers comfort foods to your doorstep, and the meals are prepared right before delivery. Never frozen and only requiring minimal reheating, they’re nutritious and cost less than many standard takeout options.
Cost: $7.99 to $11.50 per serving, with up to 12 servings per week.
3. Blue Apron
Blue Apron is full of fresh ingredients, with traditional or vegetarian options. Like many of the plans, the food is delivered in one big box and the recipe card is separate from the meal ingredients. The variety is good and the recipes are generally easy to prepare.
Cost: $7.49 to $9.99 per serving, with up to 16 servings per week.
4. EveryPlate
EveryPlate offers simpler meals for a lower cost. Users can choose between eight recipes each week, so there isn’t a lot of flexibility for different dietary needs, but the recipes are full of flavor and give subscribers generous portions. If you’re looking for an affordable way to get into meal kits, EveryPlate is a good option.
Cost: $4.99 per serving, with up to 12 servings per week.
5. Daily Harvest
Daily Harvest specializes in delicious smoothies. The meals are packed with fruits and vegetables, making nutrition easy and tasty. Smoothies just require the addition of liquid, so feel free to add your favorite type of milk or water to the blend and get your day started.
Cost: $6.99 per serving, with between 9 and 26 servings available.
1. Which meal kit service is right for a vegetarian?| A．Daily Harvest and EveryPlate. |
| B．HelloFresh and Blue Apron. |
| C．EveryPlate and Freshly. |
| D．HelloFresh and Freshly. |
| A．fruits and vegetables |
| B．unlimited servings |
| C．easy preparation |
| D．separate recipes |
| A．living an environmentally friendly life |
| B．cutting down on daily food costs |
| C．adapting to a new lifestyle |
| D．improving cooking skills |
