We launched this “On the Job” series to find out how people use English in their working lives. We talk to them about jargon in their profession, writing on the job and what advice they’d give to learners of English.
Who do you work for?
I work for myself.
What is your position?
I’m a freelance vegetarian chef and food consultant.
How important is being able to speak/write good English in your job?
Very important; a huge part of cooking is about how you present yourself and the dishes you are cooking, and making them sound really appetising!
Does your field have its own particular jargon? Could you share some of the more unusual terms with us?
Not really. Cooking terms are fairly common and easily understood.
Do you ever ask another person to proofread your work? If so, in which circumstances?
I don’t ask anyone to proofread but I sometimes ask friends to read through my recipes to see if they make sense!
What mistakes or phrases in English do you find most annoying?
It really annoys me when people don’t make the effort to speak proper English in a professional setting.
Would you like to add anything you think our readers would find interesting?
Read anything you can get your hands on, and just keep practising.
Want to hear what some of the other interviewees said? Head over to the On the Job series home page here.