CELPIP vocabulary: food and eating out

To reserve a place at a restaurant.

CELPIP tip Pattern: book a table for six at 7 p.m. Use "for" with the number of people and "at" with the time.

To divide the cost of a meal.

CELPIP tip Also "split the cheque" in Canada; note the Canadian spelling "cheque" for a restaurant bill or bank cheque.

The list of food at a restaurant.

CELPIP tip Useful pairings: vegetarian options on the menu, a set menu, a kids' menu. Look for options in Speaking Task 5 choices.

A small dish before the main meal.

CELPIP tip North American usage; British English says "starter". Mention it when describing a catering package in Writing Task 1.

The largest part of a meal.

CELPIP tip In Canada "entrée" usually means the main course, not a starter. Pattern: for the main course, I had fish.

A sweet dish at the end of a meal.

CELPIP tip Spelling trap: dessert (sweet food, two S's) versus desert (sandy land, one S). Stress the second syllable.

Food a person cannot or will not eat.

CELPIP tip Usually plural: "any dietary restrictions". A polite and professional phrase for Writing Task 1 event emails.

One item used to make a dish.

CELPIP tip Pairings: fresh, local or main ingredients. "Ingredient list" is common on food labels in Reading tasks.

Food bought to eat elsewhere.

CELPIP tip Canadian and American English say "takeout"; British English says "takeaway". Pattern: order takeout.

An app for ordering meals to your home.

CELPIP tip Service and delivery fees are a good downside to mention when comparing eating options in Speaking Task 5.

Extra money given for good service.

CELPIP tip Tipping 15-20% is the norm in Canadian restaurants. "Gratuity" is the formal word you may see on a bill.

A person who serves food in a restaurant.

CELPIP tip Canadians prefer the gender-neutral "server". In a complaint email, describe the server's actions, not the person.

A shop that sells food.

CELPIP tip Canadians also say "grocery shopping" and "groceries" for the food you buy. Pattern: at the grocery store.

A market where farmers sell produce.

CELPIP tip Note the apostrophe after the S: farmers' market. A good local option in Speaking Task 5 food choices.

Fresh fruit and vegetables.

CELPIP tip Stress changes the meaning: PRO-duce (noun, food) versus pro-DUCE (verb, to make). Uncountable as a noun.

The date food is best eaten by.

CELPIP tip Canadian labels say "best before"; "expiry date" is stricter. Watch for these dates in Reading Part 3 notices.

Food remaining after a meal.

CELPIP tip Usually plural. Taking leftovers home helps reduce food waste, a useful point in environment discussions.

The amount of food for one person.

CELPIP tip Pairings: generous, small or large portions; portion size. Good for describing a restaurant in a review-style answer.

Providing food for an event.

CELPIP tip Pattern: catering for an event, a catering company, a catering quote. Compare prices and menus in Writing Task 1.

A vehicle that sells meals.

CELPIP tip Food trucks at festivals often appear in Listening conversations about weekend plans.

A self-service restaurant at work or school.

CELPIP tip Workplace and school cafeterias come up in Writing Task 2 surveys about healthy food choices.

Not eating or containing meat or fish.

CELPIP tip Also a noun for the person: "Two guests are vegetarians." Mention it when planning food for guests in Writing Task 1.

Not eating or containing any animal products.

CELPIP tip Pronounce it /ˈviːɡən/ with a long E. Vegan is stricter than vegetarian: no eggs, milk or honey.

Not containing wheat gluten.

CELPIP tip Keep the hyphen before a noun: "gluten-free bread". Shows care for guests in an event-planning email.

Made at home, not bought.

CELPIP tip One word, no hyphen. Contrast it with "store-bought" when comparing options in Speaking Task 5.