Looking for Mr. Gourmet Food Soul Mate?

By Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

Are you wondering is he “The One?” to wine and dine with you forever? Ever hope you find a foodie “soul mate” to share your fave fine edibles and eating style? Looking for a serious chocoholic? Health Nut? Wine lover? Vegan? Exotic food fanatic? Wouldn't it be awesome if you met (or already are in relationship with) that special someone who shares your food likes and dislikes? Do you feel you have made an uncanny food match? Well here’s your chance to find out. Take this savvy soul mate quiz paired with love expert Los Angeles, California-based relationship expert Marla Martenson, author of Excuse Me, Your Soul Mate is Waiting to see if you have met your real compatible match—in the food department.

FINDING MR. FOODIE SOUL MATE QUESTIONS

1. When you meet face to face at a hot food spot or homestyle gathering for the first time, you:

A) automatically show your true colors and eat what you want and how you want without hesitation.

B) pause before speaking and eating.

C) don't eat (it's not your fave food) or do chow down reluctantly pretend to be somebody else to please him.

2. You’re together on a dinner date you:

A) never seem to run out of awesome foods and food topics to share with each other.

B) wish you were solo at work or working out at the gym.

C) are out of sync and feel uncomfortable. You are turned off by what foods turn him on.

3. He dishes out his innermost food dishes. You:

A) are on the same page with your visions of the future and foodfests you'll share.

B) get some of his cuisine aspirations and dreams.

C) feel his experimental lofty food choices are weird or not your cup of tea.

4. He’s got a few table manners that irk you as well as food tastes that are a bit pesky. You:

A) find his imperfections endearing and help him to deal.

B) analyze his food glitches and ponder if he’s a worthwhile fixer-upper.

C) point out his faults, complain, and try and change him.

5. Do you feel that when you two are together and apart in the kitchen, restaurant, picnic or anywhere where food is served, that there is a great meaning to your food relationship?

A) yes.

B) sort of.

C) not yet.

6. Ever think about him when cooking up your fave dishes, only to have him contact you within minutes or hours (and know he's anticipating your concoction)?

A) you betcha.

B) a few times.

C) nope.

7. When sharing a meal do you find you can finish each others’ sentences or read each others’ mind about your feelings linked to the food you're eating?

A) always.

B) occasionally.

C) never.

TALLY UP TIME - The more A’s, B’s, and C’s you answer will tell you if have found your soul mate (think the film City of Angels and the pear scene with Maggie and Seth)—someone you have a profound affinity with together. Some food loving romantics believe each person’s soul has another complementary counterpart and is the link to total happiness and fulfillment once two soul mates connect.

Mostly A’s - Soul Mate Kudos to you! You’ve found your true foodie match. The two of you are inseparable in the kitchen and restaurants and excited when you try new and old foods. There is a powerful, instantaneous feeling that you have known the other before. The relationship is immediate, as though no time had been lost since you were last together, explains relationship expert Marla Martenson. If you still want to be together forever even when you think you might drive each other crazy, she adds, that is a sure-fire sign he is your soul mate.

Tapping into a True Foodie Love: Martenson suggests: “Treat your soul mate like your best friend. Too often we treat the love of our life the worst--thinking that they will be around no matter what. Whatever you do, don’t take your soul for granted. Treasure him and savor each moment.”

Mostly B’s - Soul Date Sometimes you sense your new date or the man you’ve been dating and enjoying meals together is your soul mate—but then you’re not 100% sure. Rather than kiss him goodbye, take potential soul mate inventory. “Spend quality time together and see if this really is the person that you want to be with,” says Martenson. She suggests observing the other person in different situations (i.e., interacting at a restaurant or having an intimate dinner with you) is the key to knowing if you’ve met your food soul mate, not just another date. The love guru adds, “Take your time, after all, your soul mate is forever, right?”

Tapping into a True Foodie Love: If you hope that special man in your life is your soul mate, it doesn’t mean that you should flee off to Las Vegas, get hitche and hit the restaurant strip. If he is your true love, he will always be there for you with no strings attached.

Mostly C’s - Soul Flake Unlike the Soul Mate and Soul Date, this imposter is not compatible with you. In fact, there are red flags that can help you to determine if you are stuck in mismatch territory. If the word good “food” isn’t in his vocabulary, or if his food likes totally clash with yours big-time (i.e., junk food dude), he may not be your gourmet food soul mate. Once you stop looking for the soul mate of your dreams, you may meet him when you least expect it and embrace an eternal bond and enter gourmet Foodland hand in hand.

Tapping into a True Foodie Love: Meanwhile, when you two are together and he’s hypercritical of you--and your love of certain types of to die for food or dedication to Food Network programs, it’s time to do some soul searching.
* A spin-off article I wrote for Complete Woman magazine.