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Lisa Loeb reviews the latest dating crazes

Lisa Loeb made her mark in music in 1994 with the number one hit, 'Stay' which earned her both a Grammy® nomination and a Brit® Award. Now at a major crossroads in life, Lisa recently ended her six-year relationship and is single for the first time in years. Now in her 30s, her latest venture is a television series called Number One Single which sees her travelling from LA to New York in search of 'Mr Right'. Here she reviews some of the latest dating phenomena coming out of the Big Apple and winging their way over to the UK

Lisa's top 3 dating crazes

Date My Friend parties

Airtroductions

Cooking Classes for singles

Others to look out for

'Date My Friend' parties
How does it work? For singles who would rather meet romantic interests through friends, than through a potentially awkward setup, 'Date my friend' parties are becoming an increasingly popular dating craze. Also called 'not for me' or 'not date' parties, these soirées adhere to one simple rule: All guests must be single and are required to bring at least one single friend of the opposite sex with them. Unlike typical singles events, everyone at 'date my friend' gatherings are handpicked, upping the odds for a love connection or two. 'Date my friend' parties have become so popular they've even spawned a party-planning business called Date My Friend, which has hosted parties in major cities across the US.
Lisa says: One of the best dating methods around. My friends organised one for me, but unfortunately the guy I was hooked up with sang one of my songs on karaoke and it all went down hill from there! Despite this, the likelihood is that you will meet someone you like who knows a friend of yours, or a friend of a friend so you can get some background info on them before your date!
More information: www.msn.match.com

'Airtroductions'
How does it work? A New York-based service called Airtroductions.com is helping travellers to pass their time en route by matching them with like-minded passengers. Airintroductions.com functions much like a typical dating site - fill out a profile, enter your itinerary and then search for a fellow traveller who shares your flight and some of your characteristics as well.
Lisa says: At the beginning of my show I travelled from LA to NYC and booked in for an 'Airtroduction' and it was really fun. I liked the guy but I recommend you just do this as a bit of a laugh and only do it if you are on a short flight. If you don't like him or you run out of things to talk about - you are stuck sitting next to him!
More information: www.Airtroductions.com

Cooking Classes for Singles
How does it work? A dating craze that has taken off in the States with the simple belief that the way to someone's heart is through their stomach! Several companies are betting that if you get single people together, teach them how to cook dinner - and let them enjoy the results together - you'll do more than boost culinary skills. In these classes, 'students' learn to prepare a gourmet meal, then break bread with a new group of friends - and maybe a new mate. You needn't have any culinary experience; in fact, sharing knowledge with those less or more skilled than you opens up all sorts of conversation paths. 'Having the activity of cooking to focus on made it easier to talk to people,' says Tamara Santos, who met her husband, Rick, through an event put on by Gourmet Gatherings which throws these parties in San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Chicago and Santa Monica.
Lisa says: If you are a bit shy then go for this one, it is a great ice-breaker and takes the pressure off. You might end up kneading dough with some gorgeous man! I know a friend who tried this out and had a really good time, focusing on cooking takes the pressure off and it's fun too. Even if you don't end up having a long relationship at least you will gain a new cooking skill!
More information: www.gourmetgatherings.com