Pressure Cook廚師求生錄‏

Meet Ralph Pagano, the famous celebrity chef from New York City. He shows television viewers the intense world of the culinary1 arts, including finely chopping vegetables, picking the freshest herbs, and preparing the choicest2 cuts3 of meat. However, he does not do this in the comfort of his own gourmet4 kitchen. In fact, he is thrown into unfamiliar surroundings far from the US. What's worse, he has no money and no ticket home. 　 　　 這位是來自紐約的名廚――羅爾夫‧帕加諾先生。他會為電視機前的各位觀眾呈現烹飪藝術世界中的激烈場面，當中包括用精細刀工來切菜、精心挑選各種最新鮮的香草，以及用心準備上等肉塊。不過他並不是在自己專屬的美食廚房裡輕輕鬆鬆地進行烹調。事實上，他被人丟在遠離美國的陌生環境中。更糟的是，他身上不但沒有錢，也沒有回家的機票。 　　This month, National Geographic Channel follows Ralph Pagano as he is dropped off in distant locations and tries to make his way back home. It is not as easy as it seems because Pagano also has to discover the country's customs, culture, and cuisine5. He must complete all these tasks and raise enough funds for his return ticket in 72 hours. If Pagano fails to meet the deadline, then he faces an awful consequence—eating a local delicacy6 that turns most people's stomachs. However, Pagano is up to the task and puts his cooking skills as well as his survival instincts7 to work. "Pressure Cook" is definitely not your average cooking show.

本月份，當羅爾夫‧帕加諾被送到遙遠之地並試著尋找返鄉方法的同時，國家地理頻道也跟著從旁記錄。事情並不像表面上看起來那麼簡單，因為帕加諾還得去探索該國的習俗、文化和料理。他必須在七十二小時之內完成所有的任務，並籌到足夠的資金購買回程機票。如果帕加諾無法如期達成任務，他就得承擔一項恐怖的後果，那就是品嚐一道會令大多數人反胃的當地『佳餚』。不過帕加諾卻能勝任這項任務，並發揮他的廚藝和求生本能。《廚師求生錄》跟您平常收看的烹飪節目絕對大相逕庭。

Building Your Vocabulary

1. deadline　n. 截止時間（常與動詞 meet 並用）
The professor sets strict deadlines, so you will lose points for handing in your paper late.
教授嚴格規定交報告的截止時間，所以你若遲交就會被扣分。
2. consequence　n. 後果，下場
One consequence of lying is that nobody will ever trust you.
說謊的下場之一就是以後沒有人會再相信你。

Phrases for Learning

1. in the comfort of + 地方　　舒舒服服地在某地
Rather than going to the movies, I prefer watching DVDs in the comfort of my own home.
相較於去電影院，我比較喜歡舒舒服服地在自己家裡看DVD。
2. throw...into + 困境　　使……陷入某種困境
A massive earthquake threw the nation into chaos.
一場大地震使這個國家陷入一片混亂。
3. drop + 人 + off + 介詞　　（用交通工具）送某人到……
Kelly's father usually drops her off at school on his way to work.
凱莉的爸爸開車上班時通常會順路送她到學校。
4. turn + 所有格 + stomach　　令某人反胃
Seeing the little kid sticking his finger in his mouth after picking his nose really turned my stomach.
看到那小鬼挖完鼻孔後再把手指放進嘴巴裡真是令我作噁。
5. be up to + 名詞∕動名詞　　勝任∕有資格（做）……
Beth is the only one that is up to carrying on the family business after her father retires.
貝絲的父親退休後，她是唯一一個有資格延續家族事業的人。
6. put...to work　　發揮∕使用……
Mark was able to put his training to work when he was called in to fight a fire.
當馬克被叫去救火時，他得以運用自己所受過的訓練。

Extra Words

1. culinary　a. 烹飪的
2. choice　a.（多指食材）品質優良的
3. cut　n.（切下的一塊）肉塊
4. gourmet　a. 關於美食的
5. cuisine　n. 料理；特製菜餚
6. delicacy　n. 佳餚，珍饈
7. instinct　n. 本能；天性

Tips In Use

However, Pagano is up to the task...
（不過帕加諾卻能勝任這項任務……）
　　"be up to + 名詞∕動名詞"在本文表『勝任∕有資格（做）……』。以下為各位介紹此片語的其它常見意思及用法：
1. "be up to something/no good"表『正在∕打算做某種（祕密的）壞事』。
　The man got caught when he was up to no good.
（那名男子在從事不法勾當時被逮住了。）
　Mark is usually up to something when he has an evil smile on his face.
（當馬克露出邪惡笑容時，他通常正在計畫做壞事。）
2. 而"be up to + 人"則表示『取決於某人；由某人作主』，如本刊第三十頁的文章中最後一句的用法。
　What we eat tonight is up to you.
（我們今晚吃什麼由你來決定。）