The 'Chopped' host on entertaining as a couple and his long-term loves... one of which is coffee!
By Faye — Written on Oct 19, 2011
As the former food and wine connoisseur on Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, Ted Allen's job was to educate straight men on how to win a woman's heart with a great-tasting meal. Now, as the host of Food Network's hot show Chopped, his job description may have changed, but his love of food—and its romantic powers—still remains.
We caught up with Allen in this exclusive CelebLove TV interview to talk about fall entertaining, cooking and one of his great loves, coffee! Lucky for him, he's the new brand ambassador of Nespresso, so we're sure he'll be brewing up plenty of cappuccinos for him and his partner of 18 years, Barry Rice. Allen dishes (pun intended) on how they make their relationship work and more in the video, so check it out! All My Children’s Mark Consuelos On Life With Kelly Ripa
Here are some highlights from our chat:
What advice do you have for couples who want to pull off a successful dinner party together?
Hire a chef! No, I'd suggest that you'd think seasonally, as a chef would do. We're talking about fall entertaining, so it's not the time for tomatoes and asparagus anymore, I'm sad to say. But, there's a lot of great stuff that comes with this season in the kitchen. For me, that means roasting chickens and braising food and more things you can do ahead of time: lasagnas, casseroles and roasted dishes.
If you're a couple, that's twice as many hands as a single, so it seems to me that your other half should be pressed into service too. Usually the way we split it up is that one person does dinner, and the other person does dessert. The dessert person also sets the table, because dessert is usually done ahead of time… and, let's face it, it's easier!
What if you're single and not the best at cooking?
Maybe this is the time to lean on your friends at Whole Foods! You can go to a nice gourmet market and pick up a rotisserie chicken, which are affordable and usually really good. Or, if you're single and there's someone you're interested in, instead of throwing a dinner party, why don't the two of you take a cooking class together! It's actually a really great thing to do on a date. You have an activity, there's not a lull in the conversation and you're together learning something, and it's an experience. 10 Classic Fall Date Ideas To Help You Enjoy The Sweater Weather
How has your career in food influenced your love life?
Well, it's a good thing I'm attached because that career is making me more heavy by the minute! But, the number one thing Americans do for entertainment is go out to eat or eat at home. That's what we do for fun. It's endlessly fascinating, and you're never going to taste all the styles of food that are out there, so I think it's a great thing to do romantically. What is the definition of a romantic experience other than sitting across a white tablecloth with candles in between you? That's what I think romance is in a large respect. That, and Paris. 5 Romantic Ways To Use Food
What's the best love advice you've ever received?
Probably be yourself, be honest… Or, be clever enough not to get caught! I don't think I've ever had any relationship advice. I could probably use some! Although, I will say I'm in my eighteenth year, so either I'm doing something right, or we're both entirely codependent and not good enough to do any better.
Ted, with your skills in the kitchen, we're certain that's not true!
How do you use food to spice up your love life?
Photo Credit: Getty
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