Going out to a restaurant every date night can get boring and expensive. And while cooking at home may save some money… it can also feel like a chore at time. And unless you’re still in college, ordering pizza every night isn’t the most realistic option either. For a great way to spice up (pun intended) your date night dinner and have a great time together, try slipping on an apron and hosting your very own Cooking Show. Who knows… maybe you’ll even wind up kissing the chef!

Why cook together? Author Debbie Mandel says, “Cooking is a great de-stressor because it serves as a creative outlet.” This means you and your partner get to bond in a low-stress, creative environment. This leads to better communication and more happiness in your relationship.

To put together your very own cooking show, all you need is a kitchen, your phone, a partner, and a recipe. Except for the ingredients to make the food, there are really no costs to this fun date, making it perfect for budget conscious couples.

Prepare for your Cooking Show

To get started, pick out a recipe for something you haven’t had before or that puts a new spin on an old favorite. Shaking things up with a new meal is a great way to experience another culture or find a new favorite.

Once you find a recipe for your main dish, get fancy and find an appetizer, a dessert, or both (hey, no one’s judging!).

With your perfect menu created, make a master shopping list of ingredients and head over to the store together.

Back at home, the scene is now set for the next hottest cooking show on television, “In the kitchen with ______ & _______” (insert your names)!

Before you record do what every TV chef does and prepare. Measure out ingredients and spices into bowls to mix in later, gather up all the pots and pans you need, and make sure to get those old dishes out of the sink. After all, you’re professionals now!

Next, find a place to set up your camera so that it captures the full scene of the kitchen, yourself, and your loving sous chef.

Let’s Get Cooking!

Lights, camera, action! Crack a smile and introduce yourself to your fans worldwide. Explain the dishes you’ll be making today and why they are so delicious that you just have to share. Have fun while you cook, telling stories about how the two of you met or why this meal is special.

The best part is that you get to make your show anything you want whether that is serious, silly, or romantic. Cook up some great bonding time together while making your dinner.

When the food is plated and the camera stops rolling, head over to the table to enjoy the fruits of your hard work. Take some time to have a nice meal together and enjoy it even more knowing the fun you had making it!

Later, go back and re-watch the episode of your cooking show. Perhaps you’ll even dare to make a second episode.

This fun and easy date night is tasty, inexpensive, and memorable. Most importantly, it gives you a chance to spend some quality time with the world’s cutest chef.

Bon appetit!

Cooking Show Recipe Ideas

• All Recipes has a huge online recipe book
• Real Simple has great Fast Dinner Recipes
• Delish has a list of Cheap Easy Recipes