Couples' cooking night
Couples cook a three-course meal side by side with recipe cards, a cook-off dessert and wine to match.
- Guests
- 4-10 guests (2-5 couples)
- Party length
- 3-4 hours
- Prep time
- 2-3 hours
- Ages
- 18+
What it is
A cooking party for couples. Each pair cooks the same menu side by side, then everyone sits down to eat what they made. Ends with a dessert decorating cook-off. Great for Valentine’s or an anniversary with friends - or hire a chef to teach.
Plan ahead
- One week before: choose a menu and print recipe cards. Buy ingredients and check equipment for each couple.
- The day before: make dessert bases (chocolate pots set overnight).
Sample menu
- Starter: fresh tagliatelle with butter and parmesan (one pasta machine to share)
- Main: pan-seared steak or salmon with crushed potatoes and green beans
- Dessert: chocolate pots decorated with berries, cream and gold leaf
Running it
- Prep stations with ingredients weighed out.
- The host demonstrates each step, then couples copy.
- Swap roles halfway - who’s chef and who’s sous chef?
Food and drink
- Matching wine: a white with the pasta, a red with the steak
- Alcohol-free options
Tips
- Choose dishes that cook in 20 minutes or less.
- Keep one oven-free course to avoid queueing.
On the day
- Arrival (20 min): aprons and a glass of wine.
- Starter together (30 min): everyone makes fresh pasta or bruschetta.
- Main course (60 min): couples cook at stations with recipe cards.
- Eat together (45 min).
- Dessert cook-off (30 min): couples decorate a chocolate pot; others vote.
Shopping list
pasta maker machine
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couples aprons
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chef knife set
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recipe cards
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wine gift set
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heart shaped ramekins
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