60 Cooking Role-play Scenarios for Real-life Conversations

Cooking role-play scenarios are a fun and easy way to make your ESL classes more active and interesting. They help students use real-life English while talking about food and daily routines. In this post, you’ll find 60 simple situations your students can act out in pairs or groups.

These role-plays are great for building conversations around food. Students will ask and answer questions, share ideas, and use useful cooking vocabulary. You can also introduce related idioms, common expressions, or even short debates to make it more exciting.

Each role-play has clear roles for Person A and Person B, so students know what to do. The language is simple and suitable for beginner and intermediate learners. This makes your job as a teacher easier and helps students feel confident.

Read this post to save time and get ready-to-use materials. These fun cooking role-plays will bring energy to your lessons and give your students the chance to speak more English!

Why Cooking Role-Play Scenarios Are Important in ESL Classes

Cooking role-play scenarios are useful because they connect language with everyday life. Most students eat and cook daily, so they can easily relate to these situations. This helps them feel more confident when speaking in English.

These scenarios also support speaking and listening skills. Students need to talk, listen, ask for help, and give instructions while acting out the roles. This makes the learning experience more active and fun.

Using cooking role-play scenarios also helps students learn how to use English in real situations. They learn how to talk politely, ask questions, and express their likes and dislikes. This prepares them to use English outside the classroom.

Another good reason to use these scenarios is that they are flexible. You can use them with pairs, small groups, or the whole class. They work well with beginner or intermediate learners. You can even add pictures or real objects to make it more interesting.

When students act out these cooking situations, they also learn important food words and phrases. This helps grow their vocabulary naturally without memorizing long lists. In short, cooking role-play scenarios are a fun and smart way to teach English in a real-world way.

1. Buying Vegetables at the Market

Person A
You are at a local market and want to buy fresh vegetables. Ask the seller about the price of tomatoes, carrots, and onions. Also, ask which vegetables are the freshest today. You prefer cheap but good-quality vegetables.

Person B
You are a vegetable seller at the market. Answer Person A’s questions about prices and freshness. Recommend the best vegetables today and explain why they are good. Offer a discount if they buy a lot.

2. Ordering Food at a Restaurant

Person A
You are at a restaurant and want to order food. Ask the waiter about the menu, especially the daily special. You are allergic to seafood, so ask for options without fish. Also, ask for a recommendation.

Person B
You are the waiter. Explain the menu and recommend popular dishes. Make sure to suggest meals without seafood. Ask if they want drinks or dessert with their order.

3. Cooking Pasta with a Friend

Person A
You are cooking pasta with your friend but don’t know how much salt to add. Ask your friend for help. Also, ask if the pasta is ready and what sauce would taste good with it.

Person B
You are helping your friend cook pasta. Tell them how much salt to use and how to check if the pasta is cooked. Suggest a simple tomato or cheese sauce and explain how to make it.

4. Making a Sandwich Together

Person A
You want to make a sandwich with your friend but don’t know what ingredients to use. Ask what they like in their sandwich. Tell them you don’t like spicy food and prefer cheese or vegetables.

Person B
You are making a sandwich with your friend. Suggest ingredients like ham, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. Ask if they want mayonnaise or mustard. Help them prepare the sandwich step by step.

5. Asking for a Recipe

Person A
You ate a delicious cake at a party and want to make it at home. Ask the host for the recipe. Find out what ingredients you need and how long it takes to bake.

Person B
You baked the cake. Share the recipe with Person A. Explain the ingredients and steps clearly. Give tips on baking time and temperature.

6. Shopping for Groceries

Person A
You are at the supermarket and can’t find sugar and eggs. Ask a store worker for help. Also, ask where the milk and bread are.

Person B
You work at the supermarket. Help Person A find sugar, eggs, milk, and bread. Tell them if any items are on sale or out of stock.

7. Setting the Table for Dinner

Person A
You are helping set the table for dinner but don’t know where to put the forks, spoons, and glasses. Ask for instructions. Also, ask how many plates are needed.

Person B
You know how to set the table. Explain where to place forks (left), spoons (right), and glasses (top right). Tell Person A how many plates and napkins to put out.

8. Making Breakfast for the Family

Person A
You are making breakfast for your family. Ask your sibling what they want—toast, eggs, or cereal. Also, ask if they want juice or coffee.

Person B
You are the sibling. Tell Person A what you want for breakfast. Say if you prefer scrambled or fried eggs and what drink you’d like. Offer to help if needed.

9. Baking Cookies with a Classmate

Person A
You are baking cookies with a classmate but don’t know how to use the oven. Ask for help setting the right temperature. Also, ask how long the cookies should bake.

Person B
You have baked cookies before. Tell Person A to preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Explain that the cookies need 10-12 minutes in the oven. Check if they need help mixing the dough.

10. Choosing a Dish from the Menu

Person A
You are at a café and can’t decide what to order. Ask your friend what they recommend—something sweet or savory. You are very hungry!

Person B
You know the café menu well. Recommend a popular dish, like a burger or pancakes. Explain why it’s tasty. Ask if Person A wants a drink too.

11. Talking About Favorite Foods

Person A
You want to know your friend’s favorite foods. Ask what they like to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Share your own favorite meal and explain why you like it.

Person B
Your friend is asking about favorite foods. Tell them your top choices for each meal. Ask follow-up questions about their preferences. Discuss what foods you both dislike.

12. Preparing a Salad

Person A
You’re making a salad but need help. Ask your roommate what vegetables to include. You have lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers – ask if you need anything else. Also ask about making salad dressing.

Person B
Your roommate is making a salad. Suggest adding carrots or onions for more flavor. Explain how to make a simple dressing with oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Offer to help chop vegetables.

13. Making a Shopping List

Person A
You’re going grocery shopping and making a list. Call your family member to ask what ingredients they need. Ask about quantities (how much milk, how many eggs) and specific brands they prefer.

Person B
Your family member is making a shopping list. Tell them 3-5 items you need from the store. Be specific about amounts (a liter of milk, a dozen eggs). Mention if you want any special products.

14. Cooking Rice in the Kitchen

Person A
You want to cook rice but aren’t sure how. Ask your neighbor for help. You don’t know how much water to use or how long to cook it. Ask about using a rice cooker or pot.

Person B
Your neighbor needs help cooking rice. Explain the basic method: 2 cups water for 1 cup rice, cook for 15-20 minutes. Describe how to know when it’s done. Offer to show them if they’re still unsure.

15. Sharing a Recipe on the Phone

Person A
Call your friend to get their famous cake recipe. Ask about all the ingredients and exact measurements. Write down the instructions as they explain. Ask how long to bake it and at what temperature.

Person B
Your friend wants your cake recipe. Explain all ingredients clearly (2 cups flour, 3 eggs etc.). Give step-by-step mixing instructions. Tell them to bake at 350°F (180°C) for 30 minutes. Answer any questions.

16. Making a Cup of Tea or Coffee

Person A
You’re making a hot drink for a visitor. Ask if they prefer tea or coffee. For tea, ask what kind (black, green, herbal). For coffee, ask if they want milk or sugar. Make sure you prepare it how they like.

Person B
Someone is making you a hot drink. Tell them your preference (tea or coffee). If tea, say what kind. If coffee, say how much milk/sugar you want. Thank them when they bring it to you.

17. Ordering Fast Food

Person A
You’re at a fast food counter ordering lunch. Ask what meal deals they have. Order a burger combo – choose your drink and side. Ask about any special offers or new menu items.

Person B
You work at the fast food restaurant. Explain the meal deals. Ask if they want fries or salad with their burger. Offer drink options and ask if they want to upsize their meal for a small extra cost.

18. Helping Mom/Dad in the Kitchen

Person A
You’re helping your parent cook dinner. Ask what you can do to help – chopping vegetables, stirring food, or setting the table. Ask simple questions if you’re not sure how to do something.

Person B
Your child wants to help cook. Give them simple, safe tasks like washing vegetables or mixing ingredients. Explain each step clearly. Praise their help when they do a good job.

19. Making a Pizza with Toppings

Person A
You’re making homemade pizza with a friend. Discuss what toppings to use. You like vegetables but your friend prefers meat. Find a compromise. Ask how much cheese to put on.

Person B
You’re making pizza together. Suggest dividing the pizza so half has vegetable toppings and half has meat toppings. Explain how to spread the tomato sauce evenly. Show how to sprinkle the right amount of cheese.

20. Talking About Spicy Food

Person A
You’re at a restaurant with a friend who loves spicy food, but you don’t. Ask how spicy certain dishes are. Explain that you can only eat mild food. Ask the waiter to recommend non-spicy options.

Person B
Your friend doesn’t like spicy food but you do. Help explain the spice levels of different dishes to them. When the waiter comes, help ask for recommendations of mild dishes that still have good flavor.

21. Cleaning the Kitchen After Cooking

Person A
You just finished cooking a big meal and the kitchen is messy. Ask your family member to help clean up. Explain what needs to be done – washing dishes, wiping counters, and taking out trash. Suggest dividing the tasks.

Person B
Your family member needs help cleaning the kitchen. Agree to help but ask which tasks they want you to do. Suggest you wash dishes while they wipe the counters. Ask where cleaning supplies are kept.

22. Making a Smoothie

Person A
You want to make a healthy smoothie but don’t know what fruits to use. Ask your friend for suggestions. You have bananas and yogurt – ask what else would taste good. Also ask if you need to add milk or juice.

Person B
Your friend wants to make a smoothie. Recommend adding berries or mango for flavor. Explain that yogurt makes it creamy and a little juice helps blend it. Warn them not to add too much ice.

23. Cooking Eggs for Breakfast

Person A
You’re cooking eggs but aren’t sure how to make them well. Ask your roommate how long to cook scrambled eggs and when to add salt. The pan is getting too hot – ask what to do.

Person B
Your roommate is cooking eggs. Explain to cook scrambled eggs on medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Tell them to add salt at the end. If the pan is too hot, suggest turning down the heat or adding a little butter.

24. Going to a Bakery

Person A
You’re at a bakery and can’t decide what to buy. Ask the baker what’s fresh today. You want something sweet but not too sugary. Ask about the ingredients in different pastries.

Person B
You work at the bakery. Recommend today’s fresh items like croissants or fruit tarts. Explain which options are less sweet. Answer questions about ingredients (like nuts or gluten) if asked.

25. Making a Soup Together

Person A
You’re making vegetable soup with a friend. Ask what vegetables to chop first. You’re not sure how much water to add or how long to cook it. Ask when to add spices.

Person B
You’re helping make soup. Explain to chop hard vegetables (carrots, potatoes) first and cook them longer. Suggest starting with 4 cups of water. Tell them to add spices after the vegetables soften.

26. Discussing Food Allergies

Person A
You’re allergic to nuts and eating at a friend’s house. Ask what ingredients are in the food they prepared. Explain your allergy clearly. Ask if there might be nuts in any dishes.

Person B
Your friend has a nut allergy. Carefully explain all ingredients in your dishes. Point out any foods that might contain nuts or were prepared near nuts. Offer to make something safe if needed.

27. Preparing a Picnic Lunch

Person A
You’re packing a picnic with your cousin. Ask what food travels well – sandwiches or salads? You need ideas that won’t spoil in the sun. Also ask what drinks to bring.

Person B
You’re planning a picnic. Recommend sandwiches with dry fillings (cheese, ham) and whole fruits. Suggest bringing water or juice boxes. Remind them to pack napkins and plastic utensils.

28. Making a Fruit Salad

Person A
You’re making fruit salad for a party. Ask your neighbor which fruits combine well together. You have apples and bananas – ask what else to add. Also ask if you should add lemon juice.

Person B
Your neighbor is making fruit salad. Suggest adding berries and grapes for color. Explain that lemon juice keeps bananas from turning brown. Recommend cutting all fruits similar sizes.

29. Grilling Meat at a BBQ

Person A
You’re grilling burgers at a BBQ but never used a grill before. Ask your uncle how to tell when the meat is cooked. The flames are too big – ask how to control them. Also ask when to flip the burgers.

Person B
Your niece/nephew is grilling for the first time. Explain to wait for coals to turn gray before cooking. Show how to check if burgers are done (no pink inside). Tell them to flip only once after juices appear on top.

30. Talking About Healthy Food Choices

Person A
You want to eat healthier but don’t know where to start. Ask your nutritionist friend for simple changes. You drink lots of soda – ask for healthier drink options. Also ask about good snacks.

Person B
Your friend wants to eat healthier. Suggest replacing soda with flavored water or tea. Recommend snacks like nuts or yogurt. Explain that small changes work better than strict diets. Offer to share easy recipes.

31. Making Breakfast Together

Person A
You want to make breakfast with your friend. You like eggs, toast, and fruit. Ask your friend what they want to eat and suggest making breakfast together.

Person B
You are hungry and happy to help. Tell your friend what you like for breakfast and agree to help cook. Talk about who will do what job in the kitchen (cutting fruit, making eggs, etc.).

32. Cooking Dinner for a Guest

Person A
You are inviting a friend to your home for dinner. Ask them what food they like or don’t like. Tell them you will cook something special.

Person B
You are happy to visit for dinner. Tell your friend what kind of food you like (vegetarian, spicy, etc.) and ask what they are planning to cook. Offer to bring something like drinks or dessert.

33. Shopping for Cooking Ingredients

Person A
You are planning to cook dinner but need some ingredients. Go to the store and ask the shop assistant if they have what you need: tomatoes, onions, and chicken.

Person B
You are a store worker. Help the customer find the ingredients they are looking for. If something is not available, suggest a good option to replace it.

34. Asking for a Recipe

Person A
You enjoyed a delicious meal your friend made. Now you want to cook it at home. Ask your friend how they made it and what ingredients are needed.

Person B
You cooked a tasty meal. Your friend wants to make it too. Tell them the ingredients, cooking steps, and give some simple tips for success.

35. Helping in the Kitchen

Person A
You are at your friend’s house. They are cooking, and you want to help. Ask what you can do — chopping, mixing, setting the table.

Person B
You are busy cooking and your friend offers to help. Give them simple kitchen tasks and thank them for helping.

36. Teaching a Friend to Cook

Person A
You are good at cooking. Your friend wants to learn. Show them how to cook a simple dish and explain each step clearly.

Person B
You are not good at cooking but want to learn. Ask your friend to teach you a simple recipe. Listen carefully and try to follow each step.

37. Ordering Groceries Online

Person A
You are ordering groceries online for the first time. Call customer service to ask how to use the website and how delivery works.

Person B
You work in customer support. Help the caller understand how to order food items online and how long delivery will take. Explain in simple steps.

38. Cooking for a Birthday Party

Person A
You are planning a birthday party at home. Talk to your friend about what food to cook. Ask them to help with the cooking and planning.

Person B
Your friend is planning a party and wants help. Suggest some easy foods to make, like sandwiches or pasta. Offer to cook or bring something.

39. Choosing a Recipe from a Cookbook

Person A
You want to cook something new today. Ask your friend to look at a cookbook with you and choose a recipe that looks easy and tasty.

Person B
You are looking at the cookbook with your friend. Help them choose a recipe. Talk about which dish looks good and what ingredients you already have.

40. Trying a New Dish

Person A
You are cooking a dish from another country for the first time. Tell your friend what it is, and ask if they want to try it with you.

Person B
Your friend is cooking something new. Ask questions about the dish, the ingredients, and the taste. Try the food and give your opinion.

41. Cooking with a Family Member

Person A
You are cooking dinner with your brother/sister/mother. Ask them how to cook something, and do your part in the kitchen.

Person B
You are cooking with a family member. Show them how to do one part of the cooking, like frying or boiling. Work together and talk while cooking.

42. Making a Sandwich

Person A
You are hungry and want to make a sandwich. Ask your friend what kind of sandwich they like and what ingredients you can use from the fridge.

Person B
Your friend wants to make a sandwich. Help them by saying what kind you like—vegetable, egg, chicken, etc.—and suggest what to add to make it tasty.

43. Cooking for a Picnic

Person A
You are planning a picnic with your friend. Talk about what food to bring that is easy to carry and eat outside. Suggest cooking something the night before.

Person B
You are joining a picnic. Share your food ideas like sandwiches, fruit, or snacks. Offer to help cook or bring drinks and napkins.

44. Cleaning Up After Cooking

Person A
You and your friend just finished cooking. Talk about cleaning up—who will wash the dishes, wipe the table, and throw away the trash.

Person B
You cooked with your friend and now it’s time to clean. Say what you will do and ask your friend to help with something, like putting things away.

45. Asking About Cooking Times

Person A
You are cooking something for the first time. Call your friend and ask how long you should cook the rice, chicken, or vegetables.

Person B
Your friend is calling to ask about cooking times. Give them simple instructions and tell them how to know when the food is ready.

46. Talking About Favorite Foods

Person A
You are chatting with your friend about cooking. Ask them what their favorite food is and if they like to cook it themselves.

Person B
Talk about your favorite food and why you like it. Share if you know how to cook it and how often you eat it at home.

47. Cooking with Leftovers

Person A
You open the fridge and see some leftover rice and chicken. Talk to your roommate about how to use them to make a new meal.

Person B
Your roommate wants to cook with leftovers. Suggest ideas like fried rice or soup. Help them cook and make it taste good again.

48. Cooking with a Recipe App

Person A
You found a new cooking app on your phone. Show it to your friend and explain how it works. Try cooking a recipe from it together.

Person B
Your friend wants to try a recipe from an app. Ask questions about the steps and ingredients. Help them read and follow the recipe.

49. Explaining How to Cook Rice

Person A
Your friend doesn’t know how to cook rice. Explain the steps slowly—how much water, how long to cook, and how to check if it’s ready.

Person B
You don’t know how to cook rice and want to learn. Listen carefully and ask questions if you don’t understand any step.

50. Cooking During a Power Cut

Person A
The power just went out, but you were about to cook dinner. Talk to your friend about what you can still cook without electricity.

Person B
You are also at home during the power cut. Suggest easy no-cook meals like salad or sandwiches. Talk about waiting or using a gas stove if available.

51. Cooking in a Shared Kitchen

Person A
You live in a shared apartment and want to cook dinner. Go to the kitchen and find someone already using it. Ask when you can cook and if you can share the space.

Person B
You are using the shared kitchen. A housemate comes in. Talk politely about your cooking time and try to find a way to share the space or take turns.

52. Buying Spices at the Market

Person A
You are at a local market to buy spices for cooking. Ask the shopkeeper for some common spices like turmeric, chili powder, or cumin. Ask how much they cost.

Person B
You are a spice seller at the market. Help the customer find the spices they need. Suggest other useful spices and explain how much they cost.

53. Baking a Cake for a Friend

Person A
Your friend has a birthday coming soon. You want to bake a cake for them. Ask another friend to help you choose the flavor and decorate it.

Person B
Your friend wants to bake a cake. Help them pick a flavor like chocolate or vanilla. Talk about how to decorate the cake and what to write on it.

54. Making a Healthy Meal

Person A
You want to eat healthier and cook a healthy meal. Talk to your friend about good ingredients to use and what to avoid like too much oil or sugar.

Person B
Your friend wants to make healthy food. Suggest ideas like using vegetables, grilled chicken, or brown rice. Share your tips for healthy cooking.

55. Cooking at a Friend’s House

Person A
You are visiting a friend and want to cook something together in their kitchen. Ask what ingredients they have and suggest a simple dish to cook together.

Person B
Your friend wants to cook at your house. Tell them what ingredients you have at home. Decide together what to make and help them with cooking.

56. Teaching Kids to Cook

Person A
You are helping a child learn to cook. Choose something very easy like fruit salad or toast. Explain each step slowly and safely.

Person B
You are a child learning to cook. Listen carefully and follow the steps. Ask questions if you don’t understand something. Try to do it with help.

57. Fixing a Cooking Mistake

Person A
You made a mistake while cooking—maybe added too much salt or burned the food. Ask your friend what you can do to fix it.

Person B
Your friend made a mistake in cooking. Give them tips to fix the problem, like adding water or sugar. Try to help save the food.

58. Talking About Cooking Shows

Person A
You love watching cooking shows on TV or online. Talk to your friend about your favorite one and what you learned from it.

Person B
Your friend is talking about cooking shows. Share if you watch any too. Talk about fun moments or dishes you want to try from the show.

59. Preparing a Meal Plan

Person A
You want to eat better and save time. Talk to your friend about making a weekly meal plan. Ask for help choosing simple meals for each day.

Person B
Your friend wants to plan meals for the week. Help them think of easy meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Talk about what to buy for the week.

60. Cooking for Someone Sick

Person A
A friend or family member is feeling sick. You want to cook something light and healthy for them. Ask what they can eat and how they are feeling.

Person B
You are feeling unwell. Your friend wants to cook for you. Tell them what food you can eat, like soup or soft rice, and thank them for helping.

Conclusion

These 60 cooking role-play scenarios give your students exactly what they need to talk about food and cooking with confidence. Whether they’re pretending to order at a restaurant, help mom in the kitchen, or grill at a BBQ, they’ll be practicing real, useful English.

The best part? Students won’t just memorize words – they’ll learn how to actually use them in conversation. They’ll ask questions, give instructions, and solve little cooking problems… all in English. And because cooking is something everyone understands, even beginners can jump right in and start talking.

So pick a scenario, pair up your students, and let the cooking conversations begin. Before you know it, they’ll be chatting away about food like pros!

FAQs about Cooking Role-play Scenarios

1. How do I introduce these role-plays to beginners?
Start by pre-teaching key vocabulary (e.g., “chop”, “boil”, “recipe”). Demonstrate one scenario yourself first, then have students repeat with scripts before freestyling.

2. Should students memorize the dialogues?
No! Encourage improvisation. Provide phrase prompts (“How do I…?”, “First, you need to…”) but let conversations develop naturally.

3. What if students get stuck mid-conversation?
Keep a “Help Menu” on the board with question starters (“Could you show me…?” “What’s next?”) and cooking verbs they can reference.

4. How long should each role-play take?
3-5 minutes per pair. Use a kitchen timer! Have groups switch roles when the timer dings for double practice.

5. Can I use these for individual students?
Yes! You play Person B (chef/waiter/etc.) while the student plays Person A. Great for tutoring sessions.

6. How do I make it more fun?
Add props! Bring in real kitchen tools (safe ones!), print fake menus, or use play food. The more senses engaged, the better they’ll remember.

7. What if students don’t know cooking terms?
Turn it into a vocab lesson! Show quick video clips of cooking actions (chopping, frying) before starting the role-plays.

8. How can I assess their progress?
Listen for:
✓ Using sequence words (first, next)
✓ Asking clear questions
✓ Responding with relevant answers

9. Can advanced students use these?
Absolutely! Challenge them to:
• Add problems (“Oh no, we’re out of salt!”)
• Use more descriptive language (“sizzling”, “golden brown”)

10. How do I extend the activity?
After role-plays, have students:
✍️ Write their own recipe
📱 Film a cooking tutorial
🍳 Actually prepare a simple dish (like sandwiches) while speaking English