You’re Not Using Dating Apps To Their Fullest Potential!

If you’ve ever been on a dating app, you can probably relate to feeling stuck with a collection of matches you will never send the first message to and an inbox full of unanswered "hey"s. The robotic motion of swiping endlessly makes the process of getting to know someone less human, and the abundance of options somehow makes it even harder to create genuine connections.

It’s easy to forget that the profiles on your phone belong to real people. But using dating apps doesn’t have to be like this. If we just reframe the way we see them and use it more intentionally, we can connect with strangers in ways we never thought was possible.

Some creators are beginning to reimagine what meeting people online can look like. They see it not as a fast pass to romance but as an opportunity for human connection. And what better way to connect with others than through sharing food?

Madi Chilcott gained popularity on TikTok after sharing her experience on Hinge. Her profile is all about her passion for baking sourdough bread. She began using the app to give away the extra bread she bakes rather than letting it go to waste. She claims this is a helpful way to remove the pressure of dating while still getting to keep practicing her hobby. "It’s not a date, just a sourdough drop off and a quick chat. If we vibe, we upgrade, if we don’t, congrats on the free bread." Chilcott claims this has made her dating life way more interesting, fun, and wholesome!

Zoe Zannos is another creator that uses dating apps as an opportunity to connect over food. They invite strangers to cook a meal under the condition that what they eat is completely in their date’s hands. Zannos claims that there is a lot that can be learned about someone when cooking together: 'Whatever the other person chooses ends up revealing something about them, whether it’s as surface level as a flavor preference, a family recipe they love, or some kind of tie back to their heritage." Cooking together gives you an activity and a chance to see how well you can work with someone. Zannos self-published a zine in 2023 containing recipes from past dates and is now working on a new edition as they solo travel around Europe!

Both Chilcott and Zannos challenge the impersonal and automated nature of dating apps. When connection is framed as an exchange rather than a performance, it becomes easier to show up authentically. Cooking a meal together or handing someone a loaf of bread loosens the pressure and creates room for conversation that isn’t built on awkward flirting. Not every match has to be your next partner; sometimes it’s enough to just meet someone new and learn something from them. In a culture where swiping can feel robotic, choosing to use these platforms creatively brings humanity back into the equation. With a little intention, dating apps can become spaces for curiosity, generosity, and real-world connection. Try connecting with someone in an unusual way next time you’re on the apps!