J: Hi, Matthew, it's great that I bumped into you today. I wanted to ask you something.

M: Hi, Jill, I'll be happy if I can help somehow. What's up?

J: It's my mum's birthday next week, and I wanted to make a special surprise for her and cook something really delicious and unusual for her birthday dinner. You've travelled a lot and tried different cuisines. Can you suggest something?

M: I don't know. What would you like to try cooking? A first course, dessert?

J: Something not too complicated. I don't have much experience with cooking.

M: OK, you know, my grandma comes from Germany, she's become quite americanised, but she still cooks a lot of German national dishes, especially desserts.

J: German desserts? That sounds interesting. Can you name any?

M: Just a second, I'm trying to think. Well, for instance, apfelkuchen, which is a bit like our apple pie. There are other types of German pastures my grandma prepares, I think she can give you a recipe if you ask her.

J: Don't you think she might mind?

M: I don't think so. In fact, I think she'll be pleased. But I should warn you: I think it's not a piece of cake making those recipes, if you'll forgive the pun.

J: Well, you might be right. What should I do then?

M: One more idea is soup.

J: Soup? Nobody ever eats soup in my family.

M: Why not? Don't they like it?

J: I don't know, actually.

M: Soups are quite easy to cook and there are so many unusual ideas for making them. Hungarian cuisine, for example, has a lot of various soups.

J: Is Hungarian food considered good?

M: Actually, yes, Hungarian food is quite special, almost like French cuisine. Even exotic, I'd say.

J: Do you think I have all the necessary kitchen equipment and <...> to make soup?

M: A stove, a pot, a sharp knife, a spoon to stir it all. I think you just need the regular stuff. Have you got all that?

J: Of course. So can you give me a recipe?

M: I'll send a selection tonight by email so you can choose one.

J: Thanks, Matthew, you're a real star.

M: My pleasure. And I can give you a hand if you want.

J: That would be great.

M: It's a date then.