Welcome to “WiSE” (Workshops in Speaking English)

1. Welcome to “WiSE”(Workshops in Speaking English) Tonight: “American” food Led by Brea Barthel

2. What is “American” food? That’s hard to answer! • America is a nation of immigrants • Many different cooking styles • Regional specialties • Eating habits change through time (low-carbohydrate; vegetarian; etc.)

3. Where do Americans eat meals? • Cooking at home • “Ordering in” (having food delivered) • Take-out (or getting food “to go”; picked up at a restaurant) • Fast food (eaten in the car or in the “fast-food joint”) • Eating out at a restaurant

4. Americans often eat “on the run” Source: Marketing study cited in CNN, 10/4/05 (http://money.cnn.com/2005/10/04/news/funny/takeout/)

5. So what is “American” food? Dinners for white, working-class Euro-American families often include: • Meat (often in large pieces) • Potatoes • A vegetable (often canned) • A salad of lettuce & tomato • Dessert (ice cream, pie, or cookies)

6. A “meat and potatoes” menu

7. Potatoes?! • French fries • Potato chips • Mashed • Home fries • Hash browns • Scalloped • Baked • And more! photo: http://waynesword.palomar.edu/vege1.htm

8. Potatoes!! • Americans 2-19 years old receive 40 percent of their calories from fat and added sugar. • French fries would be the most common vegetable eaten… • But are potatoes a vegetable? • Yes, according to the US Department of Agriculture. • The USDA proclaimed French fries a vegetable in 2004! Sources: Jan 04 Journal of the American Dietetic Association (15-24 month-olds); USA Today 6/15/04 (USDA); http://vitamindiscount.com/newsroom/pressreleases/pr20030102.cfm(2-19)

9. So how do you order in an American restaurant? • That depends on the type of restaurant • Let’s assume you are going out to a nice sit-down restaurant • Your dinner may have a few “courses” • Here are some things to consider…

10. “Courses” of a dinner • Appetizer: small “nibbles” to eat while you wait for the main meal • Soup • Salad • “Entrée” (main dish, usually meat or fish) • “Side dishes” with the entree (potatoes, vegetables) • Dessert

11. But first: cost considerations • Sometimes the entrée price includes salad and/or side dishes • Sometimes other items are paid for separately (or “a la carte”) • Drinks are usually “extra” • For sit-down meals, you should leave a tip of 15% of the total price

12. Lots of choices! • Soup? Cup or bowl? • Entrée? How prepared? (rare, medium, or well-done; baked or broiled) • Salad? Which “salad dressing”? (French, Italian, Russian, Blue Cheese, Honey Mustard, or others) • Potatoes? What kind? (French fries, baked, mashed) • Baked potato? With or without “sour cream”? • Coffee? Regular or decaf? Black, cream, or sugar? • Pie? Plain or “a la mode” (with ice cream)?

13. Examples In a fancy restaurant: • “I’d like the London Broil [a cut of beef]with a baked potato, no sour creamand Italian dressing for the salad.” Or, the more likely meal out: • “Give me a Whopper with medium fries & a Coke.”

14. Fancy restaurants have lots of dishes and utensils! • Salad fork • Dinner fork • Dinner plate • Knife • Soup spoon • Teaspoon • Salad plate • Soup bowl • Cup & saucer • [“Bread & Butter” plate and glass not shown]

15. Related terms • Banquet: fanciest type of sit-down meal • Sit-down dinner: Food is served ahead of time on the plate, and delivered to your table • Buffet: Food is in bowls on a side table, and you help yourself • Family Style: Food is in bowls that you “pass around,” usually clockwise • Picnic: Outdoor informal meal, often with hot dogs or hamburgers • “Pot Luck”: a buffet meal where the guests each bring a “dish” to share

16. Dining “etiquette” (expected behavior) • Place your napkin on your lap before you start to eat; put it on the table when you’re done. • Keep your mouth closed when you chew • Swallow before you speak • Usually keep your fork in the left hand to cut, but the right hand to eat • The knife usually rests across the top of your plate after the first time you use it. • Always say thank you to your host • Always tip your waiter after a sit-down meal

17. It’s time for you to talk! • Practice ordering a meal at Friendly’s restaurant. Or: • What are meals like in your country? • Have you eaten at an American’s house? • Have you eaten in an American-style restaurant? • Or, talk about anything!