On the evening of September 21st,a welcoming banquet for SIM took place at Huang Huai Conference Center to welcome the leaders of SIM,the representatives from SIM local factories as well as SIM overseas business partners.Liu Li,General Manager of SIM,delivered a welcoming speech before the banquet started and Tang Ming,Vice General Manager from SIM,hosted the banquet.During the banquet,Liu Li also toastedthe completedsuccess of the conference,the friendship between SIM Chinese staff and partners from overseas.
★Some expressions used before,during and after the banquet:
I will forward your regard and invitation to him.
I have heard so much about you!
Welcome our distinguished/honored guests!
On behalf of our company,I’d like to express our sincerest gratitude.
We welcome your company’s investment in our city.
This banquet is held in honor of...
Let us make a toast to...
You have a tight schedule.I won’t take up your time.
I’ll see myself out.
It’s been a rewarding evening.
Thank you for seeing me off to the airport.
★ Some words for a formal business meal:
starter 开胃菜
main course 主菜
local flavor 本地口味
Chinese cuisine 中国烹饪
gourmet 美食家
cold dishes 冷盘
Italian spaghetti 意大利面
boning 去骨
pickling 腌制
sliced meat 肉片
diced chicken 鸡丁
meat balls 肉丸
mutton 羊肉
spareribs 排骨
lobster 龙虾
celery 芹菜
spinach 菠菜
radish/turnip 萝卜
1.Class discussion.
(1)Name ten of your least favorite things to eat.
(2)What would you say if your friend ordered some special food that you don’t like or you cannot afford it?
(3)What would you think when you insist paying the whole meal and your friend agrees immediately?
2.Pair work.
What kind of cuisine from your hometown have you tried?Describe the taste of it and the ingredients used in it.If you know how to cook it,explain it to your partner.Here are some examples.
Observe a Chinese business table-setting carefully.Normally,the Chinese host l(eader)will sit in the very inner end from the door.The head of the guests he treats will sit beside him.Students or clerks usually sit close to the door and the catering table in the dining hall.For large parties,determine who would interact best with each other.Representatives from two companies that have potential cooperation may sit at the same table.Some people like to alternate between men and women,but this is not necessary.You may want to use name cards to avoid everyone rushing for a seat at the last minute.
Group work.
Step 1 :3-4 students will design together a table of 6-8 for a banquet to welcome the dean of the International Cooperation and Exchange Office of Block University,Canada.Discuss the following questions.Who is the host?Who are the main guests?Who else would be invited?Who will sit where?
Step 2 :Draw your table setting plan on the blackboard and then explain your reasons.