Food. We need it, we want it, we love it; some of us even worship it. (I see you looking at that doughnut Aby…)

Eating is a huge part of our lives, and not surprisingly it’s often a focus of our social events. From dining out at the newest pop-up restaurants to cooking at home, food brings us together.

We recently had a lovely success story sent to the office, about a couple who had met at our London cookery class and then returned to the same venue a year later to celebrate their anniversary. With food on our minds (as always!), we decided to get the low-down on how important food can be to your dating life. Having just launched our vegetarian/vegan speed dating, we also wanted to know if there are any differences between meat eaters and vegetarians/vegans when it comes to stuffing our faces. We asked over 500 men and women, of all ages, to let us peek inside their fridge (so to speak) and tell us what makes them tick when it comes to food and dating.

Here are the results…

MEAT EATERS

• 22% of meat eaters would be put off dating a vegetarian or vegan.

• 12% of meat eaters have had a partner's food habits contribute to the end of a relationship. (Our SpeedDater host Dani once broke up with a guy because he thought putting brie on a pizza was too adventurous… what a bore!) Food might sound like a trivial reason to end a relationship, but a person’s attitude to food and dining can often reflect their general attitude towards life.

• “How likely are you to suggest going out for food for a first date?” 7/10

• How would you describe your relationship with food?
I eat to refuel: 6%
I eat for pleasure: 36%
A bit of both: 58%

VEGETARIANS/VEGANS

• 56% of vegetarian/vegans would be put off dating a meat eater.

• 27% of vegetarian/vegans have had a partner's food habits contribute to the end of a relationship.

• How likely are you to suggest going out for food for a first date? = 6/10

• How would you describe your relationship with food?
I eat to refuel: 3%
I eat for pleasure: 30%
A bit of both: 67%

The effect of food habits on relationships unsurprisingly varies quite a bit between the two groups, but what both have is a shared pleasure of eating and the choice for food-based first dates.

Our survey also showed both meat eaters and veggie/vegans prefer to try new things when it comes to food than regularly settle for the ordinary. So, if you fancy trying new things then why not check out our food based activity events? From pizza making master classes to singles cookery nights, we’ve got a bit of something for everyone.

Now, I’m going to go and find something to eat.

That’s all for now,
Sophie x