Today, pork is the No. 1 meat product in China, which even     1     (have) symbolic meanings in Chinese culture. In some places, a pig’s head still must be served on the second day of the second month in the lunar calendar     2     (please) the dragons that are awaking from     3     (they) winter sleep.

However, before the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), it was     4     (rare) seen on dining tables. Ancient Chinese doctors even doubted its nutritional value. For example, Sun Simiao (Tang Dynasty) considered     5     (eat) pork for long period of time made people more likely to get sick.

The turning point for pork came in the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279) when     6     not-so-wealthy poet, Su Shi (1037-1101), found his simple ways to cook it. Back then pork was much     7     (cheap) than lamb and beef because it     8     (dislike) by the rich while the poor didn’t know how to cook it properly. Unable to afford either beef     9     lamb, the poet just stewed (炖) pork with radish and shared it with friends. They wrote beautiful poems about the so-called “Dongpo pork”, which instantly gained popularity in southern China     10     the environment was ideal to raise pigs.

4 . Orange chicken, salt and pepper chips, fried rice. . . Max Burns lists several typical Western-style Chinese dishes that _______ him. For Burns who spent his childhood in China, those cuisines are far from _______. They are invented to satisfy Western preferences.

Actually, many Westerners regard that particular type of _______ as the whole of Chinese cuisine. The average Westerners are not as _______ and educated as they could be. That is why he tries to show Chinese food by vlogging (视频博客) about _______ Chinese dishes at home.

The food adventure has helped Burns grow into an _______ with over three million subscribers worldwide today and helped _______ some people’s ideas about Chinese food. His friends told him they were shocked by the _______ of Chinese cuisine and it took them a long time to figure out categories of Chinese cuisine.

_______, when Burns first started vlogging in 2016 after returning to England, cooking Chinese food at home was a then “________ idea”, because he was never into cooking. At the time, the ________ centered more on explaining aspects of Chinese culture. However, during COVID-19 when Burns couldn’t ________ outside, he had to learn to cook. “Then I instantly fell in love,” he ________. “The more I learned about Chinese cooking, the more I got into it.”

The cooking journey also serves to maintain his ________ with China, even though he has left China for years. Burns ________ the experiences of living in China, enabling him to teach about Chinese cuisine and build a cross-cultural bridge between the East and the West.

5 . The kitchen, often referred to as the heart of the home, is a place where delicious meals are prepared, cherished memories are made, and families are united.     1    . To ensure a safe and enjoyable cooking experience, it’s important to obey kitchen safety guidelines.

●    2    

Remember, an organized kitchen is not just pleasing but also crucial for safety. Avoid accidents by keeping countertops, stovetops, and floors clean. Always store knives out of children’s reach to prevent injuries. By maintaining organization in the kitchen, you create a safer environment for everyone in the household.

●Prevent burns

When handling hot cookers or touching any hot surfaces, always wear oven gloves to avoid burns. Moreover, heat oil slowly and monitor it closely to prevent it from splattering (泼洒), which can cause serious injuries.     3    , as the escaping steam can be extremely hot.   

●Handle food safely

    4    . This is crucial both before and after handling food. Additionally, it is vital to use separate cutting boards for raw meat to avoid infection. Moreover, all food should be cooked to the recommended temperatures. Only in this way can we make sure that harmful bacteria are got rid of, thus promoting food safety.

● Watch children in the kitchen

It is important to educate children about kitchen safety and make them aware of the potential risks in the kitchen. Keep them away from hot surfaces, sharp tools, and electrical appliances to prevent accidents. Encourage them to engage in safe cooking activities under the eyes of an adult to develop their interest in cooking.     5    .

6 . Cooking skills are abilities that allow you to cook safely and effectively.     1    , there are also professional skills for cooks that allow you to perform in ways that appeal to customers and impress employers. Here are some ways to improve your cooking skills for your career.

Attend classes or pursue a degree

    2    , consider attending cooking classes or pursuing a degree in cooking. Attending classes or completing coursework with others can help you practice many skills like cleanliness and teamwork, and you can learn cooking techniques that may appeal to employers.

    3    

Learning from others is a great way to understand how cooks work with different types of cuisine and what employers might expect from you in the food service industry. While learning from a colleague who is as skilled as you is a useful method for improving your skills, it’s also valuable to find an experienced mentor (导师) to teach you how to behave in a kitchen and develop your strengths.

Gain experience

To improve your cooking skills, you can work in a professional environment. Performing work gives you the opportunity to gain experience and see in what areas you can improve to be more successful in your role.     4    .

Ask for feedback (反馈)

Asking for feedback can give you valuable information about what you do well and which abilities you can improve.     5    . That’s because they know more about your typical behavior in a professional kitchen. However, mentors who help you train or teach you in class can also be a good source of feedback.

Tay grew up working beside his father and brother in a kitchen. While his dad cooked, Tay would wash dishes and help     1     other work. Years later, after his dad and brother had passed away, Tay decided he would honor their legacy (遗产) of bringing     2     (smile) to people through food! The only problem was that he had no idea how to cook.

Instead of     3     (give) up, Tay began watching tutorials (教程) on the Internet     4     (careful). After a few days of online studying, Tay and his wife Sarah were able to open a restaurant of their own. They cooked by     5     (them) and provided countless people with delicious barbecue classics.

Up till now, the restaurant     6     (offer) jobs to more than 60 people in their community, and thousands of people have been there     7     (get) a taste of Tay’s cooking! “I never pictured all this happening. You can dream but to see things fall into place is     8     (excite),” Tay said. At present, he no longer needs tutorials to help improve his cooking skills, but he hasn’t forgotten this unique teacher.

“First, I ran from it, and then it was a hobby, and then it just fell into place. When you’re really doing     9     you love to do, it makes sense,” Tay added. What     10     beautiful way to honor his father and brother!