It's simple - just be open about what you want to achieve and assess the potential partners feedback through a series of Q & A.
Build a relationship based on trust and communication. There's no need to pass any test, let alone one based on fruit.
I will agree with the sentiment around business breakfasts though. The most important meal of the day shouldn't be some bullshit breakfast meeting.
If I want to build relationship I would start with small project and work with more important ones over months with that contractor.
But reality is you have stuff to be done, you have to hire someone from the street NOW and deliver. You don't have budget/time to test out 5 guys.
It's a story from Gerry Weinberg's "The Secrets of Consulting". Gerry is an exceptional writer, who sadly passed away 2 days ago.
Meanwhile, keep up the great work you and your team do, I'm a big fan.
Edit: P.S. It's Simon Swords - an Irish name, we've got a castle just north of Dublin apparently that I've yet to claim!