7. Have you tried any of the dishes he talks about? Would you like to? What is the most unusual thing you have ever eaten? Tell your partner.

READING

8. Read the article. What was Emma Bunton's favourite food as a child? What food didn't she like? memories of food

Both my mum and dad were great cooks when I was growing up. Well, my dad was. My mum would try, bless her. As a family, we always used to try new things and experiment with food. 1 remember being in Spain when I was about six, and all the kids wanted burgers and chips, and 1 remember digging into prawns and garlic. I've always loved trying new foods. The only things I really dislike are peas. And my mum still gives them to me!

Restaurants were always a real treat when I was growing up. My brother and 1 would share food because we couldn't really afford to splurge, and so now when

I go out to eat I treat it as a luxury and I feel lucky. My favourite food was the sort of thing that 1 remember having a lot when I was younger - the classics that my dad used to cook: shepherd's pie, roast dinners and spaghetti bolognese. He used to make a shepherd's pie to die for, with a tiny layer of cheese and a bit of tomato.

When I was growing up, we always used to eat around a table, except for Saturday night, which was a tray dinner in front of the TV as a treat. I think that's why 1 enjoy food, because meals were, and still are, a family event. We used to go to my nan's on Sunday - she used to make these lovely cherry pies. Now on Sundays I go to my dad's house. 1 think of him sitting at the table on a Sunday when I was little, and he would eat half and then leave the rest for later.I think a happy childhood gives you a balanced view of food and of yourself. I eat what I fancy and I feel good about it. I feel lucky that I escaped all the size zero nonsense when I was younger. I’ve had times with the press, especially during the Spice Girl days, when they've called me fat. Of course it does hurt, but having a great family and having normal, non-famous people around me keeps me grounded.

Emma Bunton: 'Baby Spice'

Glossary

digging into: eating enthusiastically

treat noun |C): something that gives special pleasure

splurge verb [I]: spend a lot of money

shepherd’s pie noun |C or U): English dish made from minced meat covered with mashed potato

to die for informal: so good that you really want it nan’s: grandmother’s (house)

size zero: extremely thin. It refers to the US clothing size (a European 32-34).

keeps me grounded: helps me to remember what’s important in life

9. Look at the following statements about Emma's childhood. Are they true or false?

a) Emma's mother was a better cook than her father.

b) Her family enjoyed eating new things.

c) She went to Spain when she was about six.

d) Her mother still cooks peas for her.

e) She often went to restaurants with her family.

f) In restaurants Emma and her brother always had one plate between them.

g) Her father often made shepherd's pie.

h) Her family ate around a table every night.

i) She had lunch at her grandmother's house on Sundays.

j) She eats whatever she wants these days.

10. Rewrite the sentences in Exercise 9 in the first person. Change the information so that sentences are true for you.

a) My mother was a better cook than my father.