Everything I know about the dating scene I learned from watching Iron Chef. This Food Network hit is yet another example of the many ways food and sex can come together. Forget about wowing your potential lover with a fabulous home-cooked meal. Forget about using whip cream and honey as a form of foreplay. I say the preparation process, itself, is wrought with ways of wooing and winning in love. Right now, I'll give you five ways to be an Iron Dater.

Venue
On Iron Chef, where a challenger comes into Kitchen Stadium to compete with a bona fide Iron Chef, one thing is quite clear: we know whose "house" it is. This suggests a good bit of advice: it's good to have home turf, but be prepared for any turf. Find a venue (bar and grill, night club, etc) and make it yours. Make it the place where everybody knows your name and people start to actually think you work there. When it's your turf, when several people seem to have your back, it comes off as quite impressive to a potential lover; being well-liked and well-respected is the sign of a good catch.

Team
Whether an Iron Chef or a visiting challenger, both professional cooks need their sous chefs. In the dating world, this would be known as wingmen and wingwomen. Everyone can benefit from having a team around to help accomplish a goal, even if it is getting a potential lover. When your friends talk you up, help you out and are good people, themselves, it makes you look like primary dating material. Iron dating material, if I may.

Also, don't be afraid to enter into another's turf, as well. Like the challengers on Iron Chef, be confident but humble. Work your ass off, but respect the fact that no one in the club really knows you, no one has any reason or incentive to have your back. That must be earned. However, it doesn't mean you can't find a way to score.

Time
I don't care what people say about taking one's time on the dating scene, like the cooks on Iron Chef, you are racing against the clock. Every time I "took my time" when trying to woo a woman, a guy who was in a hurry came in and swept her off her feet. She saw his sense of urgency as genuine interest; she saw my relaxed interest as indifference. I tell you, time is of the essence. Get her number, at the very least, by the end of the night. Ideally, you should be in her place or yours by the end of the night. Rush in to close the deal and get the interest. The ensuing relationship can be taken slowly.

Presentation
It is not enough for the Iron Chef contestants to make a delicious meal; it has to look good too. The judges want to see a plate of food that is both delightful and delectable. To translate, it's not enough to have a great personality and great job; you have to show it in the way you dress, carry yourself, and socialize (that is, your aforementioned "team" needs to look good, too). Remember, when you're the visiting "chef," make sure you know the proper attire for the venue. A tux isn't going to fly at a Goth club.

Live to "Compete"
Roll with the punches. The judges can be harsh and, often, unnecessarily insensitive. Like the chefs being judged, you must let this roll off you like water off a duck's back. Like the chefs, know that you are good, know that you can compete with the best, and know that you can win. Even if a guy or girl disses you harshly, be ready to get right back in the game to play again. Don't let yourself be defined by your losses.

What do you make your hot date for dinner?

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Would you date someone who had previously dated one of your friends?

Yes! I'm perfectly happy to date my friend's exes. They're exes for a reason.

No! It's too incestuous. I don't feel comfortable dating a friend's ex.

Maybe Yes: I haven't had the opportunity, but I don't see a problem with it.

Maybe No: I haven't done it, but I don't think I would.