A new study from Waitrose, which surveyed 2,000 adults, found that 30% of respondents believed that not being able to cook would be a dealbreaker when it came to looking for a romantic partner.

According to the survey, food was the love language of 60% of UK adults.

The research showed that the best foods to say ‘I love you’ with were homemade bakes, chocolate, breakfast in bed, a steak dinner, a roast dinner, chocolate cake, strawberries, a full English breakfast, pizza or a pasta dish.
Data showed that 36% believed homemade meals were the top way to say ‘I love you’ and 35% believed that a traditional candlelit dinner was the best method.

According to Waitrose, not everyone felt “fluent” in food, 35% thought they were “conversational”, and 13% considered themselves beginners.

The supermarket highlighted that for those who felt less confident when cooking breakfast in bed or a picnic in the park were go tos.

Chris Wynn, director of communications at Waitrose said: “Food is a love language all of its own. It helps us show how much we care on a deeper, more thoughtful level, and perhaps say something that words just can’t. Different dishes, settings and intentions can each say something unique, but nothing says it better than food.”

The study also showed that 30% of respondents used food to make amends. This included cooking someone’s favourite meal or gifting something sweet, such as a chocolate cake.

It also highlighted that 73% will use cooking to make the ‘Twixmas’ period feel “special”.

Wynn continued: “Christmas is about togetherness, and food is central to bringing people together and creating culinary memories – whether it’s cooking for someone or enjoying a shared meal.

“And it’s not just about Christmas Day itself; many of us are getting creative in the kitchen in the days that follow to show family, friends and loved ones they care. Waitrose is here to help food lovers say it with food during the festive period and beyond.”

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