Last month, I decided to host a dinner party for six of my closest friends. I wanted to impress them with a three-course meal that I would prepare entirely from scratch. The dinner was planned for Saturday evening, and I started preparing on Thursday. First, I went to the local farmer's market to buy fresh vegetables and herbs. The tomatoes looked particularly beautiful, so I bought two kilograms. I also picked up some fresh basil, garlic, and a bunch of colorful bell peppers. Next, I visited the butcher to select the perfect cuts of meat for the main course. I decided on lamb chops, which I had never cooked before. The butcher gave me some helpful tips on how to prepare them properly. On Friday morning, I began to organize my kitchen and plan the cooking schedule. I wrote down every step I needed to take, from the appetizer to the dessert. For the appetizer, I planned to make a creamy tomato soup with fresh basil. The main course would be the lamb chops served with roasted vegetables and a red wine sauce. For dessert, I chose to make a classic chocolate mousse. I spent Friday afternoon preparing the dessert since it needed to chill overnight. Melting the chocolate was tricky, and I had to be very careful not to burn it. I used a double boiler method, which worked perfectly. Whipping the cream was easier than I expected, and soon the mousse was ready. I placed the individual portions in small glasses and put them in the refrigerator. Saturday morning arrived, and I woke up feeling both excited and nervous. I had a lot of work ahead of me, and everything had to be perfect. I started by making the tomato soup, which needed to simmer for several hours. I chopped the tomatoes, onions, and garlic into small pieces. The kitchen filled with a wonderful aroma as the vegetables began to cook. While the soup was simmering, I prepared the vegetables for roasting. I cut the bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots into even pieces. I tossed them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and some fresh rosemary. The vegetables would go into the oven about an hour before dinner. Next, I focused on preparing the red wine sauce. This sauce required shallots, beef stock, butter, and a good quality red wine. I let the sauce reduce slowly while I attended to other tasks. By early afternoon, the kitchen was a complete mess. Pots and pans were everywhere, and the sink was full of dirty dishes. I took a break to clean up and organize before continuing. Around four o'clock, I took out the lamb chops from the refrigerator. The meat needed to come to room temperature before cooking. I seasoned the lamb with salt, pepper, and a mixture of dried herbs. My guests were expected to arrive at seven o'clock. I set the dining table with my best plates, glasses, and silverware. I placed candles in the center and folded cloth napkins for each guest. The table looked elegant and inviting. At half past five, I put the vegetables in the oven to roast. The oven temperature was set to two hundred degrees Celsius. Then I blended the tomato soup until it was perfectly smooth. I added a splash of cream to make it even richer. The doorbell rang at exactly seven o'clock, and my heart started racing. My first guests were Anna and her husband Peter. They brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine. The other guests arrived shortly after, and the apartment filled with laughter. I offered everyone a glass of champagne while I finished preparing the appetizer. The soup was served in elegant white bowls with a drizzle of olive oil on top. Everyone loved it, and I felt relieved that the first course was a success. While my guests chatted, I went back to the kitchen to cook the lamb. I heated a heavy cast-iron pan until it was smoking hot. The lamb chops sizzled loudly when I placed them in the pan. I cooked them for four minutes on each side to get a perfect crust. Then I let them rest for a few minutes to keep the juices inside. The roasted vegetables came out of the oven looking golden and caramelized. I arranged everything on large white plates with the sauce drizzled around. My friends were impressed when I brought out the main course. 'This looks like something from a fancy restaurant!' said Maria. The lamb was tender and juicy, cooked exactly to medium-rare perfection. The red wine sauce complemented the meat beautifully. Everyone ate slowly, savoring each bite and discussing the flavors. The conversation flowed easily, and laughter filled the room. After we finished the main course, I cleared the plates and prepared for dessert. I took the chocolate mousse out of the refrigerator and added fresh berries on top. A small mint leaf on each portion made them look even more elegant. When I served the dessert, everyone gasped with delight. The mousse was rich, creamy, and perfectly chocolatey. 'You have to give me this recipe,' begged Anna. After dessert, we moved to the living room with coffee and continued talking. The evening passed quickly, and before I knew it, midnight had arrived. My guests thanked me warmly for the wonderful meal and the lovely company. As they left, I felt exhausted but incredibly happy. I looked at the kitchen and realized there was a mountain of dishes to wash. I decided to leave the cleaning for Sunday morning and went straight to bed. The next morning, I woke up to several messages on my phone. All of my friends had written to thank me again for the amazing dinner. Peter even said it was one of the best meals he had ever had. Reading their kind words made all the hard work worthwhile. I felt proud of what I had accomplished in the kitchen. Hosting a dinner party had seemed intimidating at first, but I managed to pull it off. I learned that careful planning and preparation are the keys to success in cooking. I also discovered that I truly enjoy cooking for others. There is something special about sharing a meal you have prepared with your own hands. The dinner party brought my friends closer together. We laughed, shared stories, and created wonderful memories together. I decided that I would definitely host another dinner party soon. Next time, I want to try cooking a completely different type of cuisine. Maybe something Asian or Mediterranean would be interesting to explore. This experience has inspired me to continue improving my cooking skills. I have started watching cooking shows and reading recipe books for new ideas. Cooking has become one of my favorite hobbies. I find it relaxing and creative at the same time. The dinner party taught me that food brings people together in a unique way. Good food creates a warm atmosphere where conversations flow naturally. I am grateful for that wonderful evening and for friends who appreciate homemade food. Sometimes the simplest gatherings around a table can create the most meaningful memories. That dinner party was truly an unforgettable experience.
English Story (B1)The Dinner Party
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
A home cook decides to host an elaborate dinner party for six close friends. Over three days, they shop for fresh ingredients, prepare a three-course meal including tomato soup, lamb chops with roasted vegetables, and chocolate mousse. Despite the stress and kitchen chaos, the dinner is a huge success, bringing friends together and inspiring a newfound passion for cooking.
Translations in English
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What was the dessert that the narrator prepared?
2
What method did the narrator use to melt the chocolate?
3
How long did the narrator cook the lamb chops on each side?
4
What time did the guests arrive?
Vocabulary
39 words from this story
