We all have at least one friend who is completely worthless in the kitchen.  Actually, if you don’t have a friend like that, read on, because I have enough friends who meet that description to share at least one of mine with you.

I probably should tell you in advance that you better be very fond of this friend, because the gift idea that I’m going to offer is a bit on the pricey side, although it is worth every penny.  Perhaps that nameless guy is your roommate, your cousin or even your own son who you can seem to get to move out of your house.

Try giving him a truly romantic dinner without having to leave the house or apartment.  Hopefully he’ll be able to find an appropriate date with whom to share it.  When you get right down to it, nothing impresses an unsuspecting date more than an intimate dinner that the host has prepared himself (with your encouragement, of course.  Now, the friend I’m thinking of needs all the help he can get in this regard.  You may need to be very specific when you give him your gift and the instructions to go with it.  Remind him to light candles, choose the music for him and suggest he pick up his dirty socks.

He can begin the evening with the first part of your present, a selection of gourmet cheeses as the first course.  Suggest that he consider serving the cheese with ripe apple slices or pear slices, but only if you trust him to handle a knife.  This course can actually be a nice appetizer, before they are actually seated at the dining table.

For the entree, present him with a certificate for a delicious gourmet dinner of lobster a different seafood dinner or perhaps a combination of steak and lobster, sometimes known as surf and turf.  As noted, this guy needs plenty of help, so the fresher the lobster the better.

Tell him to cap off the evening with a magnificent, New York style cheesecake or a turtle cheesecake, if he is a fan of chocolate for dessert.  Whichever cheesecake option you choose, tell him to spruce up the serving with a few fresh berries.

If he drinks alcoholic beverages, do not trust him to choose the wine for the dinner.  Lobster is sufficiently robust that it is perfectly safe to offer a bold wine.  He might consider a Burgundy or Merlot, although if he is not very adventurous, then perhaps a Chardonnay would be better for him.

Now, sit back and wait for the inevitable wedding invitation.  If you learn that the perfect evening didn’t work, just give up on him, and next time you can enjoy the delicious meal with your own favorite partner.  Oh, you also might want to look for a different friend.