The last place you might expect to find good dating advice is Food Network, but a lot of our favorite celebrity chefs can whip up five-star meals while also dishing out some top-notch life and relationship advice.
Most of this advice leads us to believe food is usually the answer, whether you’re looking to get someone’s attention or getting over a past relationship, and we’re definitely OK with that:
- “I’m not the one to sort of sit and cry over spilled milk. I’m too busy looking for the next cow.” – Gordon Ramsay
The master chef is also a master of tough love. The best way to get over your dating woes isn’t to sit around and sulk. You have to pick yourself up and start looking for the next cow. It isn’t always what you want to hear, but Gordon doesn’t really care anyway.
- “You have to live life to its full chorizo.” – Mario Batali
We’ve all heard the saying “live life to its fullest”, but feisty Italian chef Mario Batali likes to spice things up a little more than that. Don’t be afraid to follow his lead and spice things up in your dating life as well. And a little Spanish sausage doesn’t hurt either.
- “I wouldn’t keep him around long if I didn’t feed him well.” – Julia Child
If there’s anyone who knows how to win people over with food, it’s Julia Child. She also knew a way to a guy’s (or anyone’s really) heart is through his stomach. So if you’re really looking to win someone’s affection, food is typically a safe bet.
- “What nicer thing can you do for somebody than make them breakfast?” – Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain isn’t exactly known for being warm and fuzzy, but it turns out the hardcore “No Reservations” host can give us dating advice from the heart. If you want to make an impression, cook someone up a nice breakfast. Even Anthony agrees that breakfast food is the best kind of food.
- “I don’t want to spend my life not having good food going into my pie hole. That hole was made for pies.” – Paula Deen
It’s no secret that the queen of butter herself, Paula Deen, loves her pie. Paula preaches indulgence in all sorts of ways, food related or otherwise. After all, life is too short to not have good people and lots of good pie.
- “Make love to it. Don’t **** it.” – Gordon Ramsay
Just for some context here, Gordon was referring to the smooth technique you should use while trimming chicken. But clearly this advice applies to much more than just chicken. We’re not trying to compare your significant other to chicken, but it’s best to take the same slow and steady approach.
- “I found that if I offered to cook for a girl, my odds improved radically over simply asking a girl out.” – Alton Brown
Fact: Women are just as easily won over by food as men are. Even if your skills are up to par with Alton’s, cooking your date a thoughtful meal will score way higher than a traditional dinner and a movie night.
- “People who love to eat are always the best people.” – Julia Child
No one offers up more food-related wisdom than Julia, so she had to be included twice. If your date seems disinterested in the meal, this could be a huge red flag. Because who doesn’t love food?
- “My husband cooks fancier food for himself than I’ve ever cooked on-air.” – Rachael Ray
Turns out, Rachael Ray’s husband is quite the chef himself and prefers meals that take slightly longer than 30 minutes. Rachael proves to women everywhere that, even if you’re a chef in your own right, it pays to have a man who cooks. It can even be a great bonding experience.
- “You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.” – Anthony Bourdain
The next time you’re planning a first date, make sure it involves food. Not only because good food makes the world go round, but you can learn a lot about your date based on their likes and dislikes on the menu.
