by Giovanni Di Lago

Created on: May 03, 2008

Get Cookin', Stud! Romantic Dining and How To Pull It Off @ Home (For Men)

For centuries man (and woman) have scavenged in search of that "secret ingredient" that would assist in liberating the person of their affection from their inhibitions. Chocolate, oysters, strawberries - ask a million people, get a million answers. But as you have no doubt learned by this stage in your life, not everything works for everyone. So the question remains, timelessly: "What foods lead to romance?"

As an "amateur chef", (ie: one who has not turned "pro" in order to keep both my day job and my eligibility for contesting), this is a question I have both been asked AND had to address in the course of preparation for contest cooking. After all, who doesn't want to "seduce the judges" by their savory wares and walk away with a nice fat (er, must we PC-revise that to "pleasingly plump") check? But it's not necessarily what you serve; it's how you serve it that makes the difference.

Here, then, are my best answers to this question - not in specifics, but in a "how to find out" manner. The food is only PART of the experience... what you do before (and after) makes the date.

1. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE & "GET IN THEIR HEAD"
Obviously you don't want to prepare something that your beloved has an allergic reaction to (nothing says "sexy" like holding her hair back while she, er, "preaches to the porcelain pulpit"), but it's more than that - we're talking "basic seductivity 101" here. Namely, what gets the attention of your object of desire? And we're not talking about ONLY food here per se; more of a "what do they find attractive"? Risk? Mystery? Sense of humor? Not that you can provide all of this on a plate, but you want to get your date's thought process going this direction before you begin. Ask questions that evoke info and imagery, and consider it your "appetizer".

2. KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS
Simply put - don't cook a lobster dinner if you don't know how. If you are a talented chef, prepare a menu that reflects that and that your date will appreciate. If not, well... either practice, or find a restaurant that evokes the sensual nature of food. Guys, do NOT ask "where do you want to go?"! Be a man, make the plans. That's how it's done.

3. PRESENTATION IS YOUR BEST FRIEND
If you're the cook, you're the one setting the mood. Think candles or soft lighting are cheesy? You're wrong. Soft music? Bring it on, baby. But that's only part of it. Your food and its plating needs to attract, not repel. You're

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