國發會與ICRT共同製播的時事英語廣播“The World in Brief”固定於每周三在雙語資料庫學習資源網更新，與大家一起聽時事學英文。

本周主題：雷克雅維克美食生活節

自2002年起在雷克雅維克(Reykjavík)所舉行一年一度的美食生活節(Food and Fun Festival)，其最早的目的在於提升冰島觀光業同時推廣冰島美食。舉辦至今吸引來自世界各地的著名廚師一同比拚廚藝，例如來自丹麥的米其林大廚克勞斯·亨利克森(Claus Henriksen)。想知道更多嗎？讓我們用３分鐘的時間一起來聽聽記者Max McGrath怎麼說吧！

 

【Transcript】

Nora: The biggest news … the best guests …the boldest events …This is ‘The World in Brief’ with Max McGrath.

Nora: Do you like food? How about fun? If you do, then we have the event for you! It’s the Iceland Food and Fun Festival! Roving reporter Max McGrath joins us live from Reykjavík, where he’s busy sampling some of the festival’s most fabulous foodstuffs! Max?

Max: Thanks Nora. I’m here at ‘Fröken Reykjavík’, an art-deco styled restaurant and bar right in the heart of Iceland’s capital city. I’m joined by local food blogger Helga Einarsdóttir, who has kindly agreed to help us sample some of their most delectable dishes! Helga, welcome.

Helga: Hi Max! Thanks for this, I’m so excited!

Max: Me too, I can’t wait to get started! Everything looks and smells so good …

Helga: This has to be one of my favorite restaurants in town. It’s quite new, but all the food here is excellent, and their open kitchen is really fun!

Max: It’s great! I can’t stop watching them cook, it’s hypnotic!

Helga: It was such a treat getting to watch the all chefs here for the festival.

Max: Tell us, what exactly is the Food and Fun Festival?

Helga: It’s basically a cooking competition. It’s always of an incredibly high standard.

Max: I’ve heard the competition is fierce! And the food is consistently top notch.

Helga: You can find out right now, our waiter’s on his way …

Max: Great, I’m starving!

Waiter: Your appetizer: crab bisque served with scallops and pickled Irish moss.

Max/Helga: Thank you./Takk*.

Max: Wow, this soup looks incredible! It’s been so beautifully presented. Mind if I get started?

Helga: Not at all! Tuck in!

Max: Mmmm … that’s really delicious!

Helga: Isn’t it?! The flavor of the crab is so rich, and that scallop has been fried to perfection.

Max: This vegetable is really yummy too! What did the waiter say it was?

Helga: Irish moss. It grows in the ocean here. This festival was made in part to promote Icelandic food, so visiting chefs are only allowed to use local produce.

Max: And they all have to work with Icelandic chefs and restaurants too, right?

Helga: Yes, that’s right. 13 restaurants in Reykjavík took part this year. They’re all paired with one of the visiting chefs.

Max: So, which chef created this stunning soup?

Helga: The kitchen here was being led by Claus Henriksen. He’s a Danish chef. Actually he’s cooked at this festival a few times now. He’s an amazing cook, he’s won two Michelin stars! First as a head chef, and then again for his very own restaurant in Denmark.

Max: Michelin stars are only ever given to the most outstanding eateries in the world aren’t they?

Helga: That’s right. They’re only ever awarded to the best of the best!

Max: They must be really hard to get!

Helga: They’re famously difficult to obtain! Still, most of the chefs we have at this year’s festival come armed with Michelin stars. It’s really humbling that so many talented artists want to come to Iceland to compete in our festival every year. Whoa! You finished your soup already?!

Max: I was hungry! And it tasted great!

Helga: Save room for dessert … Baked white chocolate with duck fat, apple and oyster sorbet, and ocean salt caramel!

Max: I’ll try! Thank you Helga, cheers! This is Max McGrath reporting live from Reykjavík, Iceland. Nora?

Nora: Thanks Max! That interview made me hungry! Thanks for listening everyone, I’m Nora Yu.

 

【Vocabulary】

Fabulous 很棒的(adj.)

The crab bisque was so fabulous, it was absolutely beyond delicious!

 

Delectable 美味的(adj.)

What delectable food you cook!

 

Hypnotic 催眠的(adj.)

His voice had a smooth hypnotic effect.

 

Consistently 持續一貫地(adv.)

The fierce but friendly cooking competition consistently produces delectable four-course Icelandic meals.

 

Top-notch 頂尖的、一流的(adj.)

The festival organizers find it humbling that so many top-notch chefs want to participate in the competition.

 

Appetizer 開胃菜(n.)

There’s an outstanding selection of appetizers featuring local produce.

 

Perfection 完美的狀態(n.)

The chef caramelized the garlic cloves to perfection in duck fat.

 

Michelin star 米其林星星(n.)

 

Eatery 餐廳、餐館(n.)

Some eateries strive for a Michelin star, an award that’s famously difficult to obtain.