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The No.1 Valentine’s Menu
Waitrose & Partners • 2026
🥂 1. The Starter
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• Prawn & Scallop Thermidor: King prawns and scallops in a rich cognac cream sauce.
• Bloody Mary Prawn Cocktail: A spicy twist on a timeless British classic.
• Whipped Goat’s Cheese: With roasted beetroots and a honey-balsamic glaze.
🍽️ 2. The Main Event
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• British Beef Wellington: Prime beef fillet wrapped in buttery puff pastry.
• Slow-Cooked Duck Legs: With a port and plum jus and star anise.
• Wild Mushroom Risotto: Finished with truffle oil and aged Parmigiano Reggiano.
🥗 3. The Accompaniment
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• Truffle Cauliflower Cheese: Indulgent and creamy with a crisp crumb.
• Potato Dauphinoise: Sliced thin and baked with garlic and nutmeg cream.
• Honey-Roasted Carrots: Seasonal heritage carrots with a thyme glaze.
🌹 4. The Grand Finale
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• Ruby Chocolate Mousses: Topped with freeze-dried raspberries and gold leaf.
• Passion Fruit Cheesecake: Zesty and light on a buttery ginger biscuit base.
• Chocolate Fondant: Melt-in-the-middle cocoa luxury.
🍷 5. The Perfect Pairing
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• La Gioiosa Prosecco: Fine bubbles and a crisp, fruity finish.
• Saint-Émilion Grand Cru: A bold red for steak and duck lovers.
• Alcohol-Free Sparkling Rosé: All the celebration, none of the alcohol.
Waitrose has become a familiar part of food shopping for many Preston households, particularly for occasions where quality matters but time is limited.
Valentine’s Day is a clear example. While restaurants in Preston city centre and across Lancashire fill up weeks in advance, many couples now look for ways to celebrate that feel more relaxed and personal.
The Waitrose Valentine’s meal deal for 2026 reflects that shift. Rather than focusing on spectacle, it focuses on comfort, timing, and atmosphere.
Alongside the Valentine’s Dine In, Waitrose has expanded its seasonal range to include giftable desserts, sharing hampers, and curated wine pairings, all available to Preston shoppers via local stores or home delivery.
As one Preston-based shopper put it:
“It’s not about impressing anyone else. It’s about having a nice evening without rushing.”
What Is the Waitrose Valentine’s Dine In Meal Deal for 2026?
The Valentine’s Dine In is Waitrose’s core Valentine’s offer and will be available in stores from 10 to 15 February, with delivery and click-and-collect slots from 9 to 14 February 2026, subject to availability.
For Preston residents, this means flexibility. Whether shopping in-store or ordering online, the deal fits around work schedules and avoids the pressure of fixed restaurant bookings.
The structure is deliberately simple: a five-course dinner for two built entirely from the No.1 range, designed to deliver consistent results at home.
The deal has been positively reviewed by the Good Housekeeping Institute, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable Valentine’s option rather than a novelty purchase.
What Does the Waitrose Valentine’s Meal Deal Include and How Much Are the Dishes Worth?
The Valentine’s Dine In includes five components: starter, main, side, dessert, and drink. While the deal price is fixed, the individual items give a clearer sense of value when viewed separately.
Example Dishes in the Valentine’s Dine In
| Course | Example Dish | Individual Price (Approx.) |
| Starter | No.1 Scallops & King Prawns in sourdough crumb | £7–£9 |
| Main | No.1 Sirloin Steaks with peppercorn butter | £14–£18 |
| Side | No.1 Triple Cooked Fries with Cornish sea salt | £3–£4 |
| Dessert | No.1 Ruby Chocolate & Raspberry Mousses | £4–£5 |
| Drink | La Gioiosa Asolo Prosecco | £12 |
The appeal here is not just cost saving, but coherence. The dishes are designed to work together, creating a restaurant-style flow without requiring advanced cooking skills.
One customer summed it up simply:
“It feels planned, not thrown together.”
When Can Preston Shoppers Order or Collect the Valentine’s Meal Deal?
For Preston and the surrounding Lancashire areas, the deal can be:
- Purchased in store between 10 and 15 February
- Ordered online for delivery or click-and-collect between 9 and 14 February
Because Valentine’s ranges are seasonal and stock varies by store, early ordering is recommended, especially for popular mains and desserts.
What Valentine’s Food and Gifts Are Not Included in the Meal Deal?
A common point of confusion is that not everything labelled “Valentine’s” is part of the meal deal. Waitrose keeps the Dine In separate from its wider Valentine’s range, allowing shoppers to build their own version of the occasion.
Items such as flowers, chocolates, candles, spa gifts, and premium alcohol are all sold individually. This works well for Preston shoppers who may want to keep the meal simple but still add a thoughtful touch.
What Are the “Gift With Love” Valentine’s Desserts and How Much Do They Cost?
The Gift With Love range focuses on delivery-friendly Valentine’s treats, ideal for long-distance gifting or couples who prefer something sweet rather than a full meal.
Gift With Love Dessert Options
| Item | Description | Price |
| Chocolate & Pistachio Dream Cake | Rich, indulgent sharing cake | £29 |
| Rum & Raisin Frangipane Tart | Classic baked dessert | £29 |
| Italian Chocolate & Hazelnut Torte | Refined chocolate dessert | £29 |
| Love Match: Chocolate & Fizz | Dessert with a sparkling drink | £62 |
These options suit couples who want a relaxed Valentine’s vibe rather than a formal dinner.
As one shopper noted:
“It’s more ‘Netflix and dessert’ than ‘five courses’, and that’s perfect for us.”
Are There Valentine’s Hampers Suitable for a Weekend Celebration?
Yes, and this is where the range becomes particularly flexible. Waitrose offers larger Valentine’s hampers designed to be enjoyed over a weekend rather than one evening.
Valentine’s Sharing Hampers
| Hamper | Serves | Price |
| French Weekend Hamper | 2–4 | £62 (£42 with Supper Club) |
| Celebration of Kanishka | 2–4 | £62 (£42 with Supper Club) |
These work well for Preston couples who treat Valentine’s as part of a wider weekend rather than a single night.
What Wines Are Available in the Perfect Pairing Collection?
The Perfect Pairing collection offers wines chosen to complement Valentine’s food, whether from the Dine In or elsewhere.
Perfect Pairing Wine Selection
| Wine | Style | Price |
| St. JOHN Classics | Red | £50 |
| St. JOHN Crémant de Limoux 2021 | Sparkling | £30 |
| St. JOHN Claret 2023 | Red | £27 |
| Red Tuscan Blend | Red | £29 |
| Tenue Rioja Blanco | White | £28 |
| Tuscan White | White | £27 |
| St. JOHN Picpoul de Pinet 2024 | White | £28 |
These wines are positioned as confidence choices rather than luxury statements, making them appealing to shoppers who want reassurance without overthinking.
How Does the Waitrose Valentine’s Range Compare to Dining Out in Preston?
| Option | Typical Cost for Two | Flexibility | Overall Vibe |
| Preston restaurant Valentine’s menu | £70–£120+ | Low | Busy, time-limited |
| Waitrose Valentine’s Dine In | Lower, fixed | High | Calm, intimate |
| Gift With Love or hampers | Variable | Very high | Relaxed, informal |
For many local couples, the ability to control timing and atmosphere outweighs the appeal of eating out on the busiest night of the year.
Who Are These Valentine’s Options Best Suited For in Preston?
The Dine In suits couples wanting a complete evening at home. The dessert gifts work well for thoughtful gestures or quieter celebrations. The hampers appeal to those planning a Valentine’s weekend rather than a single night.
What ties them together is choice. Waitrose does not dictate how Valentine’s should look, and that flexibility resonates strongly with Preston shoppers balancing work, family, and social plans.
Is the Waitrose Valentine’s Meal Deal Worth It for Preston Shoppers?
For Preston couples looking for quality without pressure, the Waitrose Valentine’s meal deal remains one of the most dependable options available locally. It offers structure without rigidity and indulgence without excess.
As one shopper neatly concluded:
“It doesn’t try to steal the spotlight. It just gives you the space to enjoy the evening.”
