Sporeans prefer partners who can cook, food survey reveals

File picture of Singaporeans and tourists eating at Lau Pa Sat. One of the survey findings show that though 84 per cent of Singaporeans prefer to eat at home, 81 per cent dine out at least once a week - the highest instance in the region. (ST/Albert Sim)

As the saying goes, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. The ability to cook is regarded by Singaporeans as an appealing attribute in a partner, the Electrolux Asia Pacific Food Survey 2012 reveals.

Out of 503 Singaporeans surveyed, with an approximately equal number of male and female respondents, 86 per cent said they regarded the ability to cook an appealing attribute in their partner. Over a third of Singaporeans (37 per cent) are also likely to help out in the kitchen, as compared with 27 per cent in Taiwan and 31 per cent in Thailand.

'Gone are the days when only men look for the ability to cook in their partner,' said a spokesman for the survey, which aims to provide better insights into food preparation trends in relation to the motivations of consumers.

Health consciousness remains a key trait of Singaporeans as 92 per cent of respondents worry about health when cooking at home while approximately a third of respondents are careful about the amount of salt and oil used when cooking at home. In fact, Singapore came out tops as the most oil-conscious nation among 10 other countries including Australia, China, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

The busy lifestyles of Singaporeans are also reflected in their food habits. Though 84 per cent of Singaporeans prefer to eat at home, 81 per cent dine out at least once a week - the highest instance in the region. This is in stark contrast to Australia, where the figure stands at a mere 30 per cent.

Singaporeans spent the least time on food preparation in the Asia Pacific region. They spent an average of 82.5 minutes in the kitchen as compared with the regional average of 96.4 minutes.

The survey also reveals that 51 per cent of Singaporeans consume food even after the expiration date, significantly higher than its neighbours such as Indonesia, where only 9 per cent surveyed admitted to doing so.