随身英语 The niche food festivals of the UK 英国多种多样的小众美食节
英国每年会举办各式各类的美食节。人们在美食节上可观赏专业厨师现场烹饪的全过程，并可品尝各类新鲜配制的美味佳肴，活动场面热闹非凡。除了主流的美食节之外，英国各地还会举办一些相对冷门而小众的食品节，给到来的人们提供另一番美妙的舌尖体验。跟随本集《随身英语》，一起走进让你垂涎欲滴的英国小众美食节。
课文内容 Vocabulary: Food 词汇: 食物
What do you think of when you hear the word ‘festival’? Is it music? Maybe it’s film. Or could it be food? Food festivals are a common occurrence in the UK and take place in all sorts of places and at all sorts of times: from Taste of London, in Regent’s Park each June to Aldeburgh Food Festival in Suffolk in September. Whatever your taste, there’s a food festival to match – no matter how specialised.
Are you a bit of a carnivore? Then why not try Meatopia. This three-day, London-based festival takes place at the end of August and is a meat lover's paradise. In addition to a range of ethically sourced meat products, from juicy burgers to succulent steaks, attendees can listen to live music, watch butchery demos, and attend informal meat-based workshops.
If you prefer a festival that will help you meet your five a day, then Vegfest is for you. This vegan-friendly event takes place in a range of UK venues several times a year. Here you can enjoy a wide selection of freshly prepared vegan food, learn culinary tips and hear talks on nutrition to help you make the most of your plant-based grub.
If that weren’t niche enough, what about a festival that is dedicated solely to marmalade? Held in Cumbria, this tangy, zesty festival of preserves has been running for 13 years. It includes a competition to find the best homemade marmalade. There are thousands of entries from over 30 different countries across the globe.
If you’d prefer something with a little more kick to it, then you could attend The Ginger and Spice Festival held in Market Drayton. It celebrates its town’s historic connection to Robert Clive, who returned from India with ginger. Because of this, they specialise in baking gingerbread, but also sell a range of artisan spices from mild to hot.
If you have a sweet tooth, then it could be that the National Honey Show, which started in 1921 and is the largest event of its kind, is the place for you to be. This three-day event attracts over 2000 entrants to their traditional competition, and offers lectures and workshops on beekeeping and, of course, that gooey, syrupy golden nectar, honey.
While there’s no accounting for taste, the UK has something to offer most people. From large-scale festivities, to the smaller more amateur gatherings, one thing is certain: people are passionate about their food. And while some of the products on offer might be an acquired taste, when food is given that much attention, it’s unlikely to leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth.
词汇表 taste（个人的）品味
carnivore 食肉动物
meat lover 爱吃肉的人
ethically-sourced “良心供货”，指食品商在采购、制作等过程中重视生产线劳动者工作环境的准则
juicy 多汁的
succulent 鲜美多汁的
five a day（由英国政府倡议的）“每日最少吃五份蔬菜”的饮食标准
vegan-friendly（食物）适宜严格素食者食用的；不含任何动物成分的
freshly prepared 新鲜配制的
culinary 烹调的，烹饪的
grub（口语说法）食物
marmalade 橘子酱
tangy 香浓可口的
zesty 果香四溢的
preserve（可长期保存的食物）蜜饯，果酱
kick（食物、饮料的）刺激，劲儿
artisan 以传统方式制作的
mild 味道柔和的
hot 辛辣的
sweet tooth 爱吃甜食的
gooey 软而黏的
syrupy 甜而粘稠的，糖浆般的
there’s no accounting for taste 人和人的口味是不一样的，人各有所好
an acquired taste（后天）慢慢养成的嗜好
leave a bad taste in one’s mouth 留下不愉快的记忆
测验与练习 1. 阅读课文并回答问题。
1. Where and when does the Taste of London festival take place?
2. True or false: The festivals’ only activities are eating the specified food.
3. How popular is the marmalade festival’s annual competition?
4. Why is Market Drayton associated with ginger?
5. Which of the festivals is the largest event of its kind?
2. 请在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处。
1. No , I don’t want a vegetarian pizza! I’m a ______! I need meat!
vegan preservative meat lover acquired taste
2. I’m sorry to ask, but is this ______? I can’t eat anything from an animal.
vegetarian carnivorous tangy vegan friendly
3. Don’t leave that chocolate anywhere near him. He’s got a real ______!
sweet tooth five a day taste grub
4. The first time I tried coffee, I hated it. But now I love it. I guess it’s an ______!
hot acquired taste ethically sourced carnivore
5. I asked her to marry me once and she said no. That ______. Now, we don’t talk.
An acquired taste there’s no accounting for taste left a bad taste in my mouth succulent
答案 1. 阅读课文并回答问题。
1. Where and when does the Taste of London festival take place?
Taste of London takes place in Regent’s Park each June.
2. True or false: The festivals’ only activities are eating the specified food.
False. At Meatopia, Veg-fest and The National Honey Show, attendees can go to workshops, learn cooking tips and watch demonstrations, among others.
3. How popular is the marmalade festival’s annual competition?
There are thousands of entries from over 30 different countries across the globe.
4. Why is Market Drayton associated with ginger?
It has a historic connection to Robert Clive, who returned from India with the spice.
5. Which of the festivals is the largest event of its kind?
The National Honey Show.
2. 请在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处。
1. No, I don’t want a vegetarian pizza! I’m a meat lover! I need meat!
2. I’m sorry to ask, but is this vegan friendly? I can’t eat anything from an animal.
3. Don’t leave that chocolate anywhere near him. He’s got a real sweet tooth!
4. The first time I tried coffee, I hated it. But now I love it. I guess it’s an acquired taste.
5. I asked her to marry me once and she said no. That left a bad taste in my mouth. Now, we don’t talk.