So, You Want To Cook For Your Date

Your next date night will sizzle with these cooking guidelines for culinary wooing.

Without sounding like a tired single girl, I’ve had my fair share of dates. Good dates, bad dates, fun dates, medjool dates, and straight up bizarre dates. From the time the guy invited a friend to our first dinner date (where he just sat there awkwardly and didn’t order anything) to the time a guy cried over his pizza (I wish I was kidding), I’ve had enough dates to know what makes for a good rendezvous. In my experience, the very best have been over a home-cooked meal and a glass of wine.

via Instagram @cassdimicco

There’s something very special about someone going to the effort to create something delicious, and sharing a meal with them. I’ll admit the stakes are high, but you can strategize to make for a stress-free and romantic night. Aside from the obvious of choosing a recipe you are confident to undertake (now is not the time to try to recreate Peter Gilmore’s famous Snow Egg dessert) there are a few guidelines to guarantee a smooth date night, and show off your oh-so dateable cooking skills.

via Instagram @nadiafairfax

1. Choose a recipe with few elements: meaning, pick something that doesn’t have lots going on at once. You don’t want to be fussing about the boiling potatoes, simmer sauce, chopping shallots, and keeping an eye on the slow cooker all while listening to your date’s hilarious story about their best work friend. You want to minimise opportunities for things to go wrong, while giving your date the bulk of your attention, with the occasional stir or oven check (to show them what a culinary genius you are.)

via Instagram @kathytranx

2. Prep, Prep, Prep: if you can get started on the recipe before they arrive, it means a few less things to worry about when the date kicks off. You don’t want to be chopping vegetables while trying to maintain an engaging amount of eye contact for risk of losing a finger. This isn’t an episode of Masterchef — so leave the drama for reality tv.

3. Ask Dietary Requirements: I cannot stress this enough. Your date telling you they’re vegetarian as you put on the final glaze on the lamb is not a situation you want to find yourself in. Most of the time they’ll tell you, but it doesn’t hurt to check whether they follow a certain diet or have allergies (such as coeliac, or lactose intolerance). A simple text asking if they can’t eat anything in particular — or better yet, if there’s a particular dish they love — will help you pick a recipe that will keep everyone happy.

Go on, time to show off your flair in the kitchen. Happy cooking!