Italian cuisine may traditionally be the food of love but new research reveals that it is also the messiest, with Spaghetti Bolognese being named by 3 in 5 Brits as the worst meal to tuck into on a first date.
Relationships on Female First
Close second in the Food Network UK poll were sticky and fiddly spare ribs, followed by garlic bread, namely because of the risk of bad breath which was a worry for 38 per cent of Brits. The cost of wining and dining a date also weighed heavy on the mind of over a third of the nation.
The research, by Food Network UK to celebrate the launch of their new Made With Love show with Dancing on Ice’s Matt Evers this Valentine’s Day, was commissioned to reveal the nation’s food habits when it comes to romance.
Results showed that when it comes to love, the way to someone’s heart really is through their stomach, with 39 per cent of people saying they are more likely to fall in love with a prospective partner if they cook them a meal within the first few weeks of seeing them. And for those looking to pop the question this Valentine’s Day, steak should be high on the menu, as the study reveals four in ten would like to be proposed to over a steak dinner.
Over half of those that took part in the study said the food that someone cooks is a reflection of their personality, with 35 per cent saying an exotic dish like Oysters would lead them to think their date was a more interesting person. Seafood was a winning choice overall, with lobster and mussels also coming up trumps in the food to cook to impress your loved one.
The survey also showed that almost two thirds of people get nervous about eating dinner in front of someone on a first date. And worried Brits tend to steer clear of potential spillages and smelly food, with almost half of Brits saying they wouldn’t order anything messy to avoid embarrassment in front of potential partners.
Eating etiquette and good table manners are also crucial when wooing a date, with one in five saying it would completely turn them off a new partner if they couldn’t eat their food properly. What’s more, 84 per cent said they would call the date to an abrupt end of their love interest tucked a napkin into their shirt.
Nick Thorogood, Managing Director of Food Network EMEA said: “Spaghetti Bolognese is a firm favourite amongst Brits and probably the most famous meal to come out of Italy. But it can be tricky to eat without splattering the sauce which may not impress a potential suitor!”
“Preparing a meal shows you have made a lot of effort, and allows you to cook something to show-off your personality.”
For hints and tips of some great Valentine’s Day recipes tune-in to Matt Evers and Lotte Duncan’s ‘Made with Love’ show this Valentine’s Day, 14th February at 2:30 and 8pm on Food Network UK.
The top ten worst meals to eat on a first date:
- Spaghetti Bolognese – 61%
- Spare Ribs – 47%
- Snails – 38%
- Raw steak – 31%
- Oysters – 32%
- Garlic bread – 31%
- Baked beans – 30%
- Spaghetti Carbonara – 27%
- Noodles – 22%
- Crab – 21%
tagged in food relationships Valentine's Day