What Does it Mean if a Guy Offers to Cook For You? (EXPLAINED)

You’ve had a few dates with a guy, and you’re starting to get close. Recently, he startled you by asking to cook for you. This situation may be unexpected but is often something many guys work up to when dating. So what exactly is he trying to tell you when he offers to cook? First, let’s take a look at the messages he’s likely sending to ensure you receive them properly.

What Does it Mean if a Guy Offers to Cook for You?

When your guy asks to cook for you on a date, he’s sending you a myriad of messages. The first of these is that he knows how to take care of himself. The modern woman usually wants a man who is comfortable in many roles, including behind a stove. However, there are many other subtle hints he may be sending you when he offers to cook for you. Here’s a few of the most likely.

He’s a Good Guy

A guy offering to cook for you may simply be a good guy who likes helping others. He may love seeing people enjoying food and get a kick out of helping women in particular. Many men who cook for women just love to see the joy and surprise in their eyes when they cook a great meal.

There are a few signs that this may be the case. First, is your guy considerate and gentle with you? Does he like to open doors, praise you, and do other subtle things to show you he cares? Importantly, does he show the same kind of attention to other people that he’s not dating?

If so, he’s probably the kind of guy who walks dogs at the Humane Society or who helps old ladies across the street. He may not be what you’d call a thrilling man, in all honesty. But he’s likely to be the kind of person to love you unconditionally.

On the downside here, a man who wants to cook for you may just be trying to get you to come over to his house. A good meal is likely to warm your heart and potentially set you up for the hook-up. There’s nothing wrong if that’s what you want out of your guy but may reveal a lack of genuine consideration.

Likewise, a guy who wants to cook for you may be a control freak who simply has to do everything himself. There are a few ways to gauge this possibility. Does he show other signs of controlling behavior? And is his food questionable at best? If so, you may want to back away from him.

He Breaks Traditional Gender Roles

These days, traditional gender concepts are being broken all around the world. Men now find themselves as stay-at-home dads or become the main cooks in a home. In some situations, your man may simply love breaking rules and want to show off his modern sensibility.

For the woman who doesn’t enjoy cooking, this type of man is often a godsend. Having someone willing to handle your cooking is very nice, as you can relax and focus on yourself. Or you can split the cooking if you get to that point as a couple.

Here’s the thing, though: many women don’t want a man who bucks gender conventions. They’re just fine cooking and taking care of a house and don’t want their man to do this for them. In fact, some women may even find a man who cooks or cleans a home to be effeminate!

This perception is unfair and obviously not held by every woman. However, it is hard to deny that, while gender roles have changed rapidly in recent years, human nature has not. Some women may be too traditional for this change. Ask yourself if you fall into this category before dating a man who cooks for you.

He Loves Cooking

A growing number of men are discovering the joys of cooking through various shows. As a result, you may just have a guy who loves making food and who enjoys showing it off to women. This type of behavior is also a type of virtue signaling, as he’s showing you he’s a diverse and capable man.

When trying out his food, ask yourself this question: is it any good? Most people who enjoy cooking possess a high level of skill. They have likely made a lot of meals in the past and know how to bring out the flavor and cook food in such a way that it maximizes its inherent taste palate.

What if you find a guy who seems to enjoy cooking, but who is secretly not so good at it? That’s a very awkward situation. It’s best just to enjoy his meals as much as you can and offer to cook next time. You may even find yourself alternating cooking on your dates as a way of bonding.

Even better, you can work your way into his kitchen and even cook alongside him, showing tips that help to make his cooking better. There’s nothing quite like cooking together to bring you a little closer together and to work your way into his heart.

He Wants to Take Care of You

Many men think of cooking as a way of taking care of their partners. In essence, they tell you that they are interested in you and thinking about you on a deeper level. They’re trying to prove that they’ll do anything to ensure that you are happy and safe.

And what makes a person feel better than a stomach of great food? The human body and mind react to a great meal with a sense of satisfaction and comfort. A man who cooks for you is trying to show you that he can regularly provide this level of happiness: an attractive proposition.

Do you want a man who is willing to take care of you in this way? That depends on what you think of your guy. Some women may have a hard time with a guy who wants to take care of them in such an involved way. Sometimes, it may indicate a more profound desire to control you rather than help you.

That all depends on things like whether he tries to get you to quit your job, whether he controls other elements of your dating life, and much more. Not all guys who want to care for women do so out of the goodness of their hearts, after all. So run like the wind from any guy who wants to take over your life.

What Does it Mean When a Man Cooks You Breakfast?

If you’re flirting with your man, and he offers to make you breakfast, he’s telling you that he wants to have sex that night. This subtle and fun flirtation is usually a winner. But what does it mean if you stay over, and he cooks you breakfast? There are many possibilities.

Some men may be telling you that they want a relationship. They’re trying to communicate many of the messages above and do so by working on your stomach. However, it doesn’t always necessarily mean he’s into you. Honestly, he could just be hungry after sex and want food for himself.

It does kind of depend on the guy and other behaviors. For example, has he signaled to you that he wants a relationship? Or does he seem to prefer an everyday experience? You’ll probably know quickly whether a breakfast after sex means a relationship or not by these factors.

Do Guys Like When You Cook For Them?

Remember what we said earlier about human nature resisting change? Well, that point applies here: men usually love when women cook for them! They find it to be a selfless and feminine gesture, one that attracts even the most forward-thinking and progressive guys you can find.

Many men even connect a woman cooking for them with feelings of childhood and protection. After all, many men probably had dinners from their mothers in the past. As a result, they likely find you incredibly attractive when you cook, even if on an unconscious level.

Remember: the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. This quip is just as accurate now as it was 200 years ago. So, don’t be afraid to suggest alternating cooking with your man. We recommended this tip earlier and still think it’s a fantastic way to bridge an emotional connection.

Finding the Right Guy

Thankfully, most of the messages a guy sends when offering to cook for you are pretty positive. They usually indicate a man who is very interested in you and who cares about you as a person. Whether or not he cooks well may be up to debate, of course. If you can find a guy who cooks well and who seems to do it just out of love for you, keep him. That’s the kind of guy you want around for the rest of your life.