Five simple rules for an impressive kitchen

Do you want to impress your girlfriend (or wife) or impress a potential girlfriend (or wife)? Don't bother with the old "let me take you to dinner" stuff: "Come to my house and I'll cook your dinner" will always win!

Words of wisdom from a mother to her children when they chose to study at school: "Forget computers, learn to cook and you will never be without a friend ...".

So you want to cook to impress? Here's how it works with five simple rules:

1. Be organized

2. Please keep it simple

3. Be ready to cheat

4. Don't leave a mess in the kitchen (especially if you live with the recipient of your master cookery class)!

5. Always start with bubbles

To organize

Planning is the most important part of preparing a meal. So write lists, heaps, and lots of records.

- You need a list for your menu

- You need a list of the ingredients that you need

- You need a list of what needs to be prepared and when

Please keep it simple

Get a good cookbook with simple, step-by-step instructions. Forget about Jamie Oliver, unless you know what to do with "pocket a little" and then "a a little bit of it", it just doesn't work. When it comes to reliability, you can't beat Delia. You can also find some great recipes here on the BBC, or even keep an eye out for more recommendations for Aunt Cam here!

Be ready to cheat

Every memorable meal has a few complications that make it "special". Don't do the complicated thing: cheat. If a recipe calls for a flavored sauce with hints of mustard and tarragon, go to the grocery store and buy the best you can afford. Not worth the risk of it all coming out pear-shaped just because of a messy sauce!

Don't leave a mess in the kitchen (especially if you live with it)!

No matter what, all of your efforts will be wasted if the woman you are trying to impress finds the kitchen a bombshell location. The food can be great, but if the food is advice, you are out of luck. If you can't wash on the go, as a last desperate measure, put dirty pots and pans back in the closet. Just remember to remove them later and don't let them rot. Out of sight, as is often the case with socks and underwear!

Greet the lady with a frosty glass of bubbles.

Chill the bubbles (they don't have to be champers, a good cava will do), chill the glasses, leave them with the bubbles, a magazine, some soft music while "you're done in the kitchen" magic. Of course, have a drink too but don't drink until you finish! Lots of great meals have been spoiled because the chef got drunk too early - it's the voice of experience calling so be careful!

Good luck!

Ben is the founder of AskHerFriends, a website that helps men (or anyone!) Get better gifts for the women in their life. We're making this purchase with lots of tips, gift ideas, and a chance to get feedback from the friends of the person you're receiving the gift for.