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Animal Aid, Booja Booja, Chilli, Coffee stencils, Cook Vegetarian, Cordon Vert Cookery School, Demuths, Le Creuset, Ms Cupcake, Sutra Kitchen, The Spicery, Valentines Day, Valentines Gifts, Vegan, Vegan Society, Vegetarian, Vegetarian Living, Vegetarian Society, Viva!
Are you on the lookout for the perfect present for a (food) Lover? Here are my top ten suggestions that are bound to get you brownie points… Maybe even home-made brownies if you’re lucky!
Valentines and knives? Why on earth would you put these two together?!
Recently, my aunt bought me these two amazing German kitchen knives. I know this makes me sound like a real ‘food nerd’ but I was very, very excited! The large one of the two is probably the best knife I have ever owned – it’s perfectly sharp and feels great to hold. Slicing my way through a huge pile of carrots, leeks and mushrooms for the mini pastries below was a joy. If you haven’t tried it before… cutting leeks with a really good kitchen knife feels almost as smooth as slicing through cookie dough, very satisfying! If I get lots of requests I may just share the recipe next week 😉
Now, my aunt knew exactly what would get my heart beating faster with excitement – a thoughtful and very kind present! It got me thinking about gifts that would be perfect for passionate (food) lovers and with February 14th just around the corner, here’s your handy guide to make your Valentine’s Day!
1. Coffee lover’s morning greetings
These personalised cappuccino stencils are the sweetest way to share your love for coffee…. Be my Valentine or Marry me?, what will you choose?
2. Spice up your love life
Chilli peppers have been hailed for centuries for their aphrodisiac powers. Turn up the heat and add spice and vibrant colours with a gift that’s perfect for keen gardeners too.
3. Let them eat cake
Utter the words “Ms. Cupcake” and watch your loved one swoon. The famous London bakery have launched an online ordering service for their delectable vegan cakes. Either order online here or let your Valentine choose for themselves (gift vouchers from £10).
4. The way to your heart…
Le Creuset’s heart-shaped casserole dish in a deep passion-red colour looks stunning at any time of year… Why not make romantic meals for two a regular feature in your calendar?
5. The Classic – Chocolate from heaven
Choose award-winning chocolate truffles to set your loved one’s heart aflutter!
Fabulous choices from mouth-watering Banoffee Toffee to classy Champagne truffles.
6. An experience – Cookery courses
©Demuths, Bath
You’ll be the sure to benefit from this gift in the long-term too. It’s a sort of investment 😉 There is a list of dedicated vegetarian cookery schools around the country with courses ranging from basic knife skills to cordon vert cookery skills. Take a look at:
Cordon Vert Vegetarian Cookery School (Altincham nr. Manchester)
Demuths Vegetarian Cookery School (Bath)
Sutra Kitchen, Vegetarian and Vegan Cookery School (London)
Our Lizzi, Vegetarian Cookery School (Malvern)
7. A gift that keeps on giving
With a gift subscription for a foodie magazine your Valentine will be reminded of your affection and love each month!
I’m slightly biased about these publications as I work with both of them. They make a fantastic, thoughtful choice for vegetarians, vegans and flexitarians and will bring you the latest meat-free news, food trends and delicious recipes in a very stylish package.
8. Variety is the spice of life
The Bath-based Spicery will shake-up any meal-plan boredom and take you for culinary journeys around the world with their spice kits! You can either put together a selection of their vegetarian meal kits in a giftbox or sign up for a monthly subscription service. I have tried one of their packs already and will soon be posting about the spicy-tangy Pav Bhaji that took us right back to the street food stalls of Gujarat.
9. Show you care
Let your caring side shine and show your support with a gift membership to one of the UK’s leading veggie/vegan organisations, e.g.
The Vegan Society
The Vegetarian Society
Viva!
Animal Aid
10. Beautiful dishes from a tasty dish
These stunning pasta bowls with their striking patterns have certainly captured my heart. Will they add a burst of colour to your Valentine’s kitchen? With sugar-sweet names- Amelie, Lulu and Violette are a feast for the eyes!
I have loved putting this list together and I hope you have found some fun inspiration here. Would be lovely if you stick around for a while and check out some of my recipes including these little fellows…
What would be your foodie gift of choice? I’d love to hear how you are planning to woo your Valentine this February.
flavourphotos 
The best romantic/food crossover gift I’ve ever given was probably a goodie bag of food treats – things he loves, mainly snacks – all placed in a big mixing bowl instead of a gift bag, as ours had just broken! Practical, surprising and fun! I love the pasta bowls too!
On our anniversary when we were both living in student accommodation, he got me a bottle of champagne, but the real icing on the cake (so to speak) was that he bought two champagne flutes (a pound each from M&S) to drink it from, which really glammed up the occasion. Otherwise, we would have been drinking it from pint glasses or mugs. A real treat.
Great post, made me think! Thanks!
Thank you for your lovely comment. What a great idea to combine the practical and fun with your gift.
Love the thought of a pint of champagne 😉 but yes, a flute does make it feel that much more special.
Aw I loveeee Booja Booja chocolates! I only get bought them at christmas and I save the little quote cards 🙂 I’ll probably be baking a big feast this Valentines, can’t wait! Thanks for the gift ideas! Since I’m the big foodie I’ll drop some hints with the boy!
I agree, they are such good chocolates. Hope you’ll have lots of fun planning and baking your feast 🙂
There are some lovely ideas there Chava. I am not into valentine’s myself but, having only a few days ago been on one of Our Lizzy’s cooking courses (the meals in minutes) I can vouch that that would be a really lovely and invaluable gift. It was a xmas gift for me and I really enjoyed the day. Lizzy was brilliant and I would definitely do some of her other courses and recommend her to people. Very accommodating as well.
My other thought would be (as I am not into valentines) is why wait? Treat someone, or even better treat yourself!!! For no reason other than I wanted to have a dining set I loved, I had a whole stoneware set made for me. Expenses yes, worth it- definitely. Every time I have a drink, or my breakfast or dinner I look at my crockery and think ‘wow, I love you’! Simple things!!!! xxx
Great to have your feedback about Lizzy’s course. She’s a lovely lady!
You’re right, I like the idea of not waiting for a special occasion but to treat yourself or someone you love. Your crockery is so beautiful and vibrant – no doubt I will be borrowing a plate or bowl for some food shots soon 😉 Funnily enough, I did think of you when I included the pasta bowls.
You would be welcome any time! x
I wish I lived in the UK so I could take advantage of these great suggestions!!!
Great to have you here. I know the Spicery for example will delivery internationally if you like the look of their recipe and meal kits.
Where are you based? It so lovely to find out about people’s experiences from all around the world 🙂
What an amazing array of gifts! I’d be very happy to receive ANY of these 😉
Thanks for stopping by and great that you liked it! I wonder what your Valentine’s will bring after reading about your previous disasters. Good luck 😉