Set the scene for a special night in with cushions on the floor around a low table, finger bowls, Champagne

and music in the background

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FRED FAUCHEUXHead cHef at NobuPossibly the ultimate feast for seduction are oysters packed carefully on ice with a bottle of crisp Sauvignon Blanc, your beloved’s favourite flowers and soft instrumental music.

on the menu chilli prawns with lemon grass and creamy cucumber ribbons (his wife’s favourite salad), pan-fried sole with chilli salsa and grilled asparagus, chocolate fondant with meringue and vanilla ice cream.

1. Write down the menu and the ingredients you need to shop for. 2. Start with more time-consuming dishes and leave the easier ones for the end. 3. clean up as you go along instead of after the meal.

JACKIE CAMERONcHef at Hartford HouSeA private dinner is perfect if your partner shies away from public displays of affection. Serve a feast of aphrodisiacs with flair. Play it safe with red, candles and chocolates.

on the menu Fresh asparagus, fig-and-almond salad, smoked-salmon rosettes with an avocado caprese salad, and chunks of chocolate with fresh fruit, cream, honey and lavender flowers.

JacKIe’S KItcHeN tIPSfred’S KItcHeN tIPS

1. Keep it simple and avoid heavy foods. Opt for light, fresh options. 2. use aphrodisiac ingredients: cocoa, figs, oysters, chocolate, asparagus and lavender. 3. don’t skimp on the bubbly.

RICHARD CARSTENScHef at toKaraRichard, who prepares some of SA’s most refined cuisine at Tokara, prefers seafood in a healthy Asian style for a home dinner. Oysters paired with good local bubbly are also a perfect romantic combination. Otherwise try a gin and tonic made with Hendrick’s Gin, cucumber and mint. Set the mood with ambient lighting, your beloved’s favourite music and blooms floating in glass vases.

on the menu strawberry and Méthode cap classique soup, gin cream, green peppercorns and mint, crayfish, asparagus, basil and red pepper gazpacho, and tiramisu with peaches, white chocolate and hazelnuts.

rIcHard’S KItcHeN tIPS

1. Shop ahead of time so you aren’t in a rush on the day. 2. Prepare as much as possible the night before. 3. Puff pastry and good ice cream can be outsourced to save time.

BERNADETTE LE ROUX edItor, cooKbooK autHor aNd co-oWNer of café rouxBernadette is happily seduced by breakfast in bed – a Bloody Mary and a boiled egg topped with caviar and served with brioche soldiers. For a romantic dinner at home, she recommends food for sharing and a typical Valentine’s Day drink like Kir Royale. Set the scene for a special night in with cushions on the floor around a low table, finger bowls, Champagne and music playing softly in the background.

on the menu Medium oysters, roasted quails with chicory-leaf salad and herby dipping sauce, and chocolate beetroot cake.

1. Keep it simple with food that requires little preparation. 2. If you choose oysters, order them to be shucked and delivered on the day. 3. dessert must be stress-free and involve chocolate. Time-strapped? Rather buy good truffles or chocolate mousse.

LuSt LISt A first-edition Elizabeth David

cookbook with a love note inside.

LuSt LISt A trip to France, chocolate and a bottle of Bordeaux.

LuSt LISt She isn’t telling!

LuSt LISt Any cookbook on his wish list.

berNadette’S KItcHeN tIPS

For the love of

Ishay Govender-Ypma asked four local personalities to set the scene for a romantic dinner at home

www.flymango.comjuice February 201324