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4 European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages (READING) – B2

Reading
Part Two

Many people want to know how to actually eat like a local while traveling. The following article,
written by Joan Osborn, gives some advice on this topic. Answer the questions (1–10) after reading
the text.

There is an example below.

Eat Like a Local

Everyone says you should follow the lead of locals when traveling, but actual suggestions on how to
do that tend to be vague.

When looking for restaurant recommendations at home, we rely on friends, magazines and review
sites. Yet when abroad, we fantasize about a mystical “local,” someone who will guide us to the best
meal of our lives, preferably somewhere “authentic” and “off the beaten path.” Though we would
never expect this of a stranger on the street at home, we expect it abroad from citizens just like us.
Chicago has a fantastic food scene. That doesn’t make every Chicagoan an expert. If you asked 100
random people where to eat, you would receive dozens of different answers. If we don’t expect locals
in our own city to be food experts, there’s no reason to assume locals everywhere else are
knowledgeable.

Before you go, do some research on the types of cuisine your destination is known for, its local
ingredients and its most beloved dishes. Then do a quick search for places to eat, keeping in mind that
review sites aren’t always accurate.

I started some publications specifically to help travelers find their way and get advice. I exclusively
hired local writers eager to share their local food culture with visitors. Local food blogs, which you can
often find with a quick search, are also great resources. If you see a few places showing up again and
again in a variety of publications and sources, that’s a good sign.

Food tours are popular to do while traveling. They give an outsider a great overview of the must-eats
in a city, and are easy to find. Ask your hotel concierge, and search the web for vacation packages that
include food tours. Sure, the portions are small and you’ll wander around amid a group of tourists, but
you’ll also learn something and try a variety of foods in an effortless way. Most importantly, your
guide is a local who obviously loves food. Ask where she eats when not working and you’ll get plenty
of tips to try once the tour is over.

Keep in mind that reviews are written by tourists, not locals. Maybe it is the best pizza that person has
ever had because he’s on vacation and atmosphere matters when it comes to taste. That doesn’t mean
it’s the best pizza in Rome. Reviews can help you pin down suggestions in a region, or if you have
specific dietary needs or preferences, but that’s about it. If you must read, look past the stars. If
someone has given a place a two-star rating because of “a misplaced fork,” or something else you
know wouldn’t be an issue for you, disregard the review. Look for reviews from locals, especially
those who comment on certain dishes: “This Bolognese is as good as my grandma’s.” That’s what
you’re looking for.

Street food is usually cheap and widely available, and it can give you insight into the local food
culture. Most people can tell you where to go. However, while street food can be delicious, it can also