AFL star Christian Petracca reveals Valentine’s Day tips for dining at home

Dees superstar and foodie Christian Petracca says following this list of do’s and don’ts can help you create a restaurant-worthy experience at home.

Christian Petracca has shared his tips for cooking at home on Valentine's Day.

He’s a newlywed, so Dees champion and foodie-about-town Christian Petracca is determined to get Valentine’s Day right.

The footy star and aspiring chef, who married lawyer Bella Beischer two months ago, made list of do’s and don’ts for creating a “restaurant-worthy experience at home” on the universal day — and night — for lovers.

The first tip, Petracca says, is “cook what you know.”

“Now’s not the time to experiment with complicated new dishes,” he told the Herald Sun.

Christian Petracca and wife Bella Beischer.

“Stick to what you’re comfortable with, like a perfectly cooked steak or homemade pasta. Keep it simple and focus on flavour.”

He added: “Prep as much as possible ahead of time so you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the night with your person.”

Petracca said it’s also helpful to plan a menu.

“Think of your meal like a restaurant would: kick things off with a light entree, move onto a

main course, and finish strong with a dessert.”

Petracca’s next suggestion is, “set the scene.”

He added: “A little effort makes a big difference. Dim the lights, put on a playlist, and set the table properly, think napkins and quality glassware.”

He also suggested creating a “signature drink” for the dine-at-home experience.

“Every great restaurant has a drinks list, so why not create your own?” Petracca said.

“Shake up a cocktail or a refreshing mocktail to set the tone for the night.”

Petracca said dessert should be “the grand finale,” adding: “No dining experience is complete without a great dessert.”

His final tip is, “don’t leave a mess.”

“A pile of dirty dishes isn’t a great way to end the night. Clean as you go — wipe down the

bench and chuck stuff in the dishwasher. It makes the whole night run smoother and saves

you a headache later.”

Petracca, an ambassador for Ninja Kitchen, uses the brand to make some of his dishes.

Originally published as AFL star Christian Petracca reveals Valentine’s Day tips for dining at home