For this category, we prescribe the Valentine’s meal kit. Yes, even for those who are a dab hand in the kitchen. For what could beat restaurant standard food at home, all perfectly apportioned and packaged up with simple instructions so that you can spend minimal time slaving over a hot stove and instead lavish your attentions on your amour? With several Michelin establishments getting in on the action, simply order a kit, hit play on a romantic play list and serve up some deeply impressive morsels.
Valentine’s At Home Menu by Simon Rogan, from £60
Three Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan is the legend behind the pass at such culinary giants as L’Enclume, Aulis and an impressive clutch of other stellar establishments. And whilst we heartily recommend a visit to them all, trying out his exquisite cooking in your own home for just £60 is inarguable. Available for delivery or collection from Wednesday 14 until Saturday 17 February 2024, expect to feast on the likes of stuffed onion gougeres, caramelised onion purée and Spenwood cheese, and poached stuffed guinea hen, confit leg, creamed parsnip, grilled leek and broccoli. Sounds delish, no? A no brainer. Order it.
Hello Fresh Valentine’s Options
Subscribers to Hello Fresh tend to eulogise its merits. What busy person couldn’t do with a little help in the food prep department after all? As such, the good folk at its HQ know all about delivering the components of a really good meal in kit form. Whilst there isn’t yet a special Valentine’s Day menu available, you can build you own according to your tastes with a little guidance from Hello Fresh, which has helpfully posted a blog containing ideas on aphrodisiacs to eat and drink this Valentine's Day (no oysters to see here. Instead: ginger, celery, okra, maca and ginseng). If you’re wooing a carnivore, we don’t think you can go wrong with the sirloin steak with Lyonnaise potatoes and peppercorn sauce. Order it.
Dishpatch’s Valentine’s Dinner A Deux By Michel Roux Jr, £125
How do you fancy a romantic meal for two courtesy of Michel Roux Jr this Valentine’s Day, all via the auspices of supper club-style meal kit company, Dishpatch? (As a side note, do explore its other all-year-round options, which are universally delicious and come from the luminary likes of St John, Richard Corrigan, Rick Stein and others.) But for Valentine’s Day 2024, it’s all about the Gallic charms of Roux Jr, who is serving up a romantic feast centred around a classic beef fillet Wellington, followed by chocolate profiteroles to share for dessert. Irresistible, non? Bon appetit. Order it.
Dishpatch’s Luxurious Lobster Thermidor by Rick Stein, £136
Who better to rely upon for a seafood feast than the reigning king of fish-focused fare himself, Rick Stein? And what more romantic dish to woo and wow your paramour with than one involving lobster? As part of this impressive meal kit, you can enjoy grilled scallops in hazelnut butter, which are then followed by lobster thermidor topped with herby Thermidor sauce and Parmesan, with chocolate pavé for dessert. If that doesn’t impress, we’re not sure what will. Order it.
Date Night Food Hamper from Iberica, £79.49
Less meal kit, more hamper, nonetheless, the wonderful Iberica delivers the goods when it comes to a romantic feast. Scrap the cooking part altogether and instead enjoy Iberico ham, chorizo, salchicho and Manchego Cheese, along with two bottles of wine: Marques de la Sardana White Cava and Campo Dorado Crianza Rioja Red Wine. The perfect nibbles for a night a deux. Order it.
By Nancy Alsop
January 2024
