Love on a Plate: Celebrating the Day of Love Through Food

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, do you feel that fluttery excitement in your stomach? Let me tell you, it’s not the flu—it’s love! Because… Love is in the air! Cliché? Maybe. But that’s exactly what Valentine’s Day is about—The Day of Love celebrated with grand gestures, heartfelt moments, and expressing love in every form, both practically and romantically.

But in recent years, another similar celebration has emerged— The Galentine’s Day. Often a wonderment for many as to what it is? Simply put, it’s a day to celebrate love in a platonic, friendship-driven way. However, do we really need another Day of Love when we already have Valentine’s Day? Read along and let’s figure it out together!

Valentine’s or Galentine’s? The Choice is Yours

At its core, Valentine’s Day is the classic celebration of romance; think candlelit dinners, chocolates, flowers, and surprise gifts. Some people love the tradition, others find it a bit too commercialized. Either way, it’s a great excuse to show love and appreciation—because let’s face it, life gets busy, and this is a nice excuse to escape with your bae!

Then there’s Galentine’s Day, thanks to Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation, who introduced us to it! Essentially it’s a day to celebrate friendships—your lifelines, your ride-or-dies, your partners-in-crime, your “drop-everything-and-call-me” people. There’s no pressure for a grand romantic gesture, just an excuse to gather for brunch, drinks, or a cozy night in. It’s love but with a different flavor.

So, whether it’s your partner or your besties, love doesn’t need a special day. But let’s be real people, a little extra celebration never hurt anyone.

A Love Story Older Than We Think

Well, while today Valentine’s Day is a big deal, and all love, it wasn’t always that, it has deep historical roots. The most popular legend is about St. Valentine of Rome, a priest who lived in the 3rd century under Emperor Claudius II.

The legend says that the emperor banned young men from marrying, believing young single men made better soldiers. St. Valentine - our now guru of love, defied him, secretly marrying couples in love. When he was caught and imprisoned, he supposedly fell for the jailer’s daughter and sent her a letter signed “From your Valentine”—a phrase we still use today. Sadly, he was executed on February 14th, around 269 AD. So it isn’t necessarily a happy day, but a day of mourning and a death anniversary!

By the Middle Ages, poets like Geoffrey Chaucer romanticised the day, and by the 19th century, mass-produced Valentine’s cards turned love into a booming industry. What started as a rebellious act of love became a day of chocolates, roses, and Instagram-worthy date nights, today! Can you believe it? No? Keep reading…

So, does the original story add meaning to modern Valentine’s Day? In a way, yes. It reminds us that love—romantic or otherwise—is worth fighting for. Sadly today, the holiday is often commercialised, filled with expectations of grand gestures, and more importantly about Instagram-worthy experiences! If it’s about genuine appreciation, it still holds meaning. If it’s just about expensive gifts, well my friends… love is much bigger than that.

 Food: The Real Language of Love

They say, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” But let’s be real—this applies to women as well, well actually everyone! Whether it’s a home-cooked meal, a shared dessert, or that extra piece of chocolate you saved for someone special, food carries meaning, and well, memories that are going to last you a lifetime!

Love and food have been intertwined across cultures and history, symbolizing care, intimacy, and connection. Chocolates, for example, have been associated with romance since the Aztecs, who believed cacao was an aphrodisiac. Today, gifting chocolates on Valentine's Day is a universal gesture of love. In many cultures, communal meals—from Italian family feasts to Indian wedding banquets—represent bonding, unity, and shared joy. Even the simple act of cooking for a loved one carries deep meaning, reflecting effort, thoughtfulness, and affection. Whether it’s a romantic dinner, a festive gathering, or comfort food made with love, food remains a timeless expression of emotion. After all, food isn’t just about nourishment—it’s about the connection!

Bites of Love: How Food Connects Hearts
Not love bites…

Now that we’re all on the same page about food being a love language, let’s put this theory to the test. I reached out to a few of my friends to understand how they celebrate this special day of love. Whether it’s a romantic Valentine’s dinner or a fun Galentine’s feast, food plays a role in every relationship. So, let’s dive in and explore how love and food intertwine across different connections, from high school sweethearts to lifelong friendships.

1. Recently Married & Already Upgrading Their Date Nights!
For newly married couples, Valentine’s Day might not look drastically different, but it does evolve. Kartik and Rachita, who tied the knot just a year ago after years of being best friends, still celebrate the day—just with a slight upgrade. “We used to hang around small joints before, but now we prefer exploring new and unexplored outlets,” Kartik shared. While they enjoy cooking for each other on regular days, Valentine’s is all about stepping away from routine and indulging in a relaxed dining experience. Interestingly, the dish that holds the most meaning in their relationship isn’t an extravagant one—it’s Dal Khichdi and Mutton Kheema. “It might sound weird, but it’s special to us,” he laughed. As a South Indian boy married to a Gujarati girl, their love for food is as diverse as their cultures, and they celebrate that by constantly exploring new cuisines and places together, after all, every meal is an adventure.

2. High School Sweethearts & Their Everlasting McDonald's Love Affair
Then there’s Simran and her high school sweetheart, Daksh, who have been together for nine years—yes! Their love story has been shaped by countless meals shared, from hearty South Indian breakfasts of dosas and idlis to their go-to cold coffee dates, where they simply sit back, sip, and soak in the moment. While some couples love fancy dinners, Simran is all about casual fast food, always managing to drag him to McDonald’s—her ultimate chill spot. But their most memorable food date? An Eid feast at Noor Mohammadi, an authentic Muslim restaurant, where they patiently waited for a meal that was worth every bite. When it comes to surprises, Simran admits that whenever she cooks for him, it’s a gamble—"Will he be surprised or mildly disappointed?"—but, lucky for her, he never complains. Nine years in, and love still tastes just as good.

3. Long-Distance, But Always Connected Through Food
For some couples, food is the ultimate and only love language, a mix of nostalgia, comfort, and shared flavours. Take Simran and her fiancé Keith, who are currently navigating a long-distance relationship between India and Australia but find ways to keep their connection alive through food. “For us, it’s always about comfort and flavor,” Simran shares. Since Keith is a great cook, he often whips up a cozy coconut-based chicken curry with fluffy rice, their go-to meal even on special occasions. But their most romantic meal? The very first time Keith visited her home, Simran prepared a full spread of Mangalorean delicacies, knowing how much he loved the food from his native place. “It wasn’t just about the food—it was about creating a moment that felt like home,” she says. And while some couples have a sentimental dish, theirs is unexpected—McCain Smileys! “Crispy, golden, and ridiculously addictive—just like our bond,”. If their engagement had a food theme, there’s no doubt it would be a McCain Smileys station, complete with dips and seasonings, symbolising the fun, carefree energy they share. Even miles apart, their love is built on all the right flavours.

4. 30 Years, One Love, & 365 Flavours of Tea
Milind and Sangeeta, share a love that stood the test of time (and tea)! High school sweethearts who are now approaching their 30th wedding anniversary, their Valentine’s Day traditions have remained beautifully simple over the years—"One greeting card, one box of Nutties, and a Cadbury Fruit & Nut. That’s all I gave my wife back then, and that’s all I give her now. The only difference? I don’t have to save up my pocket money for it anymore." While they don’t associate a specific dish with their love story, the first meal they ever cooked for each other still holds a special place—Milind made her a crispy dosa, and Sangeeta served him godacha sheera (transl. Sooji halwa) with a side of mango pickle. Even after all these years, home-cooked meals are their preference, especially with their daughter fussing over the food, making every meal feel complete. But when they were asked to share their funniest food-related memory? Milind confessed, "My wife can make 365 types of tea—not because she’s mastered variety, but because she can never make the same tea twice. After all these years, I still haven’t had the heart to tell her."

5. A super chaotic friendship, but they wouldn’t have it any other way!
Friendships evolve, but some bonds remain unchanged by time or distance—just like me and Raashi, best friends of over eight years. Our friendship has seen it all - the shared roofs during exams as study pads to Long Distance Friendship with jarring time zones! This year, since we’re finally in the same city for Valentine’s Day, Raashi said, “We’re skipping the cliché brunches and opting for a rage room session followed by a nice dinner—because, let’s be honest, girl friendships are never ideal, they’re just real!” Their go-to comfort food? “Nothing But Chicken’s grilled Chicken Vada Pav, a love affair that started as a quick breakfast bite on the way to college and never really stopped.” And while they may not have a classic food-related tradition, they did have one that was, well, chaotic—taking a vodka shot before every exam back in college. Crazy? Absolutely. But that’s what makes their friendship, and the celebrations (with some chaos) that follow, so special.

6. The boys show that friendship, food, and gaming are the real love triangle!
Who says Galentine’s is only for the girls? Rohan, Piyush, Shreesh, and Aryan are boys who do Galentine's their own way! They have their version of it—beer, PlayStation, and a giant pizza. “Two of us have girlfriends, but that doesn’t stop us from celebrating together,” said Shreesh. Cooking? “Absolutely not. Takeout is the way to go”. Well, because when you’re deep in a gaming session, who has time to stir a pot? While they haven’t attempted a traditional food challenge, they did once challenge Rohan to chug as many beers as possible in three minutes, which, unsurprisingly, made for a very entertaining night. When it comes to food, their group swings between two extremes—either a wholesome homemade rajma chawal or straight-up pepperoni pizzas with beer. Nothing in between. “That’s just how we are,” says Piyush. “And honestly, that’s what keeps us together.” added Aryan.

7. Single, But With a Side of Ramen – A Self-Love Feast
Not everyone celebrates Valentine’s or Galentine’s Day with grand gestures or elaborate meals. My best friend, Manali, a hopeless, but practical romantic who has been looking for love for quite some time, prefers to keep things simple—at least until she finds her perfect match. When I asked if she celebrates the day, she simply shrugs, saying, "I usually ignore the hype." But if there’s one thing she does indulge in, it’s good food. Her idea of the perfect solo date? A hot bowl of soupy ramen with garlic bread, because, as she puts it, “Ramen is self-sufficient—it has carbs, protein, veggies, and it’s comforting. Just like being single.” Her go-to comfort food when she needs a little extra love? A warm, homely plate of varan, bhaat, tup, limbu, (transl. Dal, Rice, ghee and a squeeze of lemon) and maybe some chicken or fish fry—the ultimate soul food. Whether she spends the day alone or with friends depends on her mood, but Harry Styles and a dream dinner? Now that’s one Valentine’s plan she wouldn’t turn down, not even in her dreams…

The Blurring Lines: Can Food Make Valentine’s and Galentine’s Overlap?

As food becomes a universal love language, the lines between Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day start to blur. And honestly, that’s actually a great thing. A romantic dinner for two could easily turn into a friends-only feast, while a cozy Galentine’s brunch might feature heart-shaped pancakes and candlelight, just like a traditional Valentine’s date. After all, love isn’t limited to romance—it’s about connection, laughter, and shared meals. After all, food bridges the gap, making Valentine’s and Galentine’s less about labels and more about celebrating love in all its flavours.

 Love is More Than Just a Meal

In the end, let’s conclude that food and love are inseparable. Love can start with a quiet breakfast in bed and end with a fancy candlelit dinner—the act of sharing food is an expression of love.

So, does it matter if it’s Valentine’s or Galentine’s? Not really. As long as there’s love (and good food) on the table, that’s all that counts.

Now, what’s on the menu?

The images in this story are AI-generated and designed to visually enhance the food and the underlying themes. They are artistic representations, similar to real-life food but not real-life depictions, created to inspire and complement the narrative. Please enjoy them as imaginative visuals that add a creative touch to the story's culinary journey.