From emoticons in the shape of apricots or eggplants to idioms borrowing from the culinary lexicon to represent a romantic or sexual relationship, cooking and food have long been associated with seduction and the way to a partner’s heart. “It’s a language that allows you to express yourself in ways other than words,” summarizes Victoire Loup. In order to get the best tips to make sure that a date taking place over a meal at home is successful, the author of the French book “Chaud” has interviewed a host of experts, that is to say, chefs. We spoke to her to get a few ideas for how to set the od…