Stinky tofu is such a special dish in China, and it seems quite surprising that I can't recall my first encounter with it. But what I do remember is my father's reaction to it in his first encounter.

    My father and my brother came to see me in Nanjing last year, and I showed them around the city. We were walking down the street when my father suddenly stopped, looked around with a slightly worried expression on his face, as if he was searching for the source of something unpleasant.

    "What's that smell?" he asked in a puzzled tone.

    I pointed to a food stall (摊位)and said, "That's what they call stinky tofu. It's really delicious! Do you want to have a try? "Without saying a word, my father left at an unusually quick pace, and didn't slow down until he was safely out of range of the smell。

    His reaction is understandable. Indeed, the smell of stinky tofu can be a bit too much for someone who has never tried such dishes before. It is often said that stinky tofu is to China what Stilton cheese(斯提尔顿奶酪) is to England. Actually, stinky tofu wins great popularity in China and you can find it in many cities, but very often on the street stalls.

    One man's meat is another man's poison. I stayed in Nanjing for many years and eventually developed a taste for stinky tofu. It is now one of my favourite street snacks. It takes years for my father to make a return trip. I wonder if memories of stinky tofu have something to do with that.

    Food develops along with the time. However, what stays unchanged is how the cuisine reflects the unique history, lifestyle, value and belief of a country or community. It is the reflection of a culture.

    In China, the culture of harmony is a vital feature in almost every aspect of life. It is also reflected in Chinese cuisine, where almost every flavor (salty, spicy, sour, sweet or bitter)is used in a balanced way to create delicious dishes with flavours that go well with each other. The idea of harmony also lies in the relationship between the appearance and the nutrients in Chinese dishes. And it is no wonder why the Chinese cuisine not only tastes delicious with nutrition, but also looks appealing like art.

    The cuisine of the United States also reflects its history. When the Europeans first arrived in the Americas, they introduced their ingredients and cooking styles as well. Later in the 20th century, the influx of immigrants(移民)from many foreign nations developed a rich diversity in food preparation throughout the country.

    With the development of globalisation, it is easier to get access to cuisines from different cultures. We should embrace our heritage through our food, and become more informed about other cultures by trying their foods. We should keep in mind that each dish has a special place in the culture to which it belongs, and is unique to those who prepare it.

    Table manners are important in Britain, even today. . The following are some basic table manners you need to know.

    Wait for the host to invite you to the table. He or she may arrange a seat for you. You'd better not take your seat before the host sits. If the elderly are around, you can help them into their seats before you take your seat. . Then sit up straight, and keep your elbows off the table, too.

    Chew and swallow all the food in your mouth before taking more or taking a drink. It is impolite to talk with food in your mouth.

    Learn to pass items. When someone says, "Please pass me the butter, reach for it only if you are the close stone to it. Take the item and place it next to your neighbour. And remember: always pass to the right.

    Never leave spoons in the bowl when you finish using them. Never leave them in the bowl or cups.

A. Your table manners may influence people's judgment on you.

B. Never talk with your mouth full of food.

C. After you sit down, take your napkin from the table immediately, and place it neatly on your lap.

D. Never make a sound when chewing.

E. When you finish eating, soup spoons, coffee spoons and dessert spoons should be placed on the side of the plate.

F. Consider every action before you do it.

G. Continue passing the item in this manner until it reaches the person who asks for it.

    Have you ever thought what you eat every day can tell people about your home town? Have you ever 1why people from different parts of the world eat 2 kinds of food? Have you ever asked yourself 3certain food plays such an important part in your culture? There is 4of a connection between food and culture than you may think.

    On a personal level, it is the food of our 5which we eat while growing up that 6us as who we are. Many of us associate food from our 7with warm feelings and sweet memories. 8a special yet personal value, it relates us to our families.

    After we grow up, the food from our families often 9us in times of frustration and stress. During my childhood, I couldn't eat rice when I was sick, because I was too 10. My mother would then bring her homemade soup to my bed. The smell and taste of that soup left a deep impression on me. Now, 11I'm tired or stressed, I think of my mother's 12and 13for it.

    In the 14sense, food is a significant component of culture. 15cuisine is passed down from one generation to another. Moreover, it serves as a reflection of 16_identity.

    Immigrants bring the food of their countries with them wherever they go. To them, 17_traditional food is a way of preserving their cultures when they move to new places. Continuing to make food from their cultures for family meals is a 18of pride for their ethnicity and a means 19cope with homesickness. Besides, many open their own restaurants and 20 traditional dishes in places far away from their home town.