Valentine’s Gift Guide for Foodies
The indispensable guide to the best artisan gifts for food and drink lovers. From traditional, indulgent chocolate treats and fizz to fiery food and drinks that will turn up the heat or foodie gadgets for those who like to bake and make, we’ve found something for everyone. With picks tested, tasted and talked about by AJ Sharp & Clare Pope on the Food Rebels podcast.
For the gin lover
Tumbledown Gin – Miniature Gift Set
This beautifully packaged miniature set is a standout gift for gin lovers who appreciate something a little different. AJ and Clare got very excited about this set. AJ loved the beautiful packaging, lovely black with gold embossed writing and thought it felt really special straight away. While Clare was enjoying the story behind it and the unusual provenance. Both waxed lyrical about the complex flavours. Crafted in the Falkland Islands, home to the world’s most southerly distillery, the gin uses wild-harvested scurvy grass, giving it a distinctive savoury, peppery profile. With notes of citrus, umami and a long liquorice finish, it’s complex yet elegant — ideal neat or with a good tonic.
RRP: £29.75 (miniature gift set)
Also available: Full-size bottles £99 – £139
Buy: tumbledowngin.com | Master of Malt
For the wine lover
Roebuck Estates Rosé de Noirs 2019
This elegant English sparkling rosé is produced in Sussex by one of the UK’s most exciting premium wine estates. Made as a vintage sparkling wine, it offers ripe red berry flavours balanced by freshness and finesse. AJ thought it looked like a really high-end, gorgeous bottle, exactly the kind of thing she would love to be given. A refined Valentine’s gift that feels celebratory without being predictable.
RRP: From £42 | Gift set with glasses £69
Buy: roebuckestates.co.uk
For the chilli lover
Ramsbury Hot Honey Vodka
Sweet, spicy and right on trend, this single-estate vodka blends wildflower honey with red chilli peppers for a smooth yet warming finish. It’s perfect for bold cocktails or sipping with tonic. Both presenters were blown away by the flavour: Clare loved that it really delivered on the trending sweet–spicy ‘swicy’ flavour; while AJ enjoyed how the heat builds slowly and isn’t aggressive rather it coats the back of your mouth beautifully. A brilliant gift for adventurous drinkers and cocktail lovers alike.
RRP: £33 (700ml, 38% ABV)
Buy: ramsbury.com
For the cheeseboard (and everything else)
Tracklements Heart-Shaped Fresh Chilli Jam
This cult-favourite chilli jam comes in a charming heart-shaped jar, making it perfect for Valentine’s Day. Sweet, gently warming and incredibly versatile, it works just as well with cheese as it does with savoury dishes. AJ and Clare adored the heart-shaped jar, which they thought would make a great addition to your kitchen counter all year round.
A small but thoughtful gift that punches well above its price point.
RRP: £7.25 (350g)
Buy: tracklements.co.uk
For the cocktail lover
The Master of Mixes at-home cocktail collection makes it effortless to craft premium, bar-quality cocktails with no mixology skills or fancy equipment required. Just add your favourite spirit to your mixer of choice, then shake, stir or blend over ice for a perfectly balanced cocktail in under 30 seconds. Each bottle creates up to 10 serves, bringing the cocktail bar experience straight to the comfort of your home. Perfect for whipping up a cocktail for your Valentine.
RRP: £9
Buy: GoodTimeIn
For the coffee lover
TrueStart Coffee & Cafetière Gift Set
This thoughtful set from the UK’s original caffeine-controlled coffee brand is ideal for anyone who loves coffee but wants a gentler caffeine hit. It includes a cafetière plus either their smooth Energising Colombian or their bold Super Blend, both full of flavour and lab-tested to ensure they are free of nasties, rich in antioxidants and caffeine-regulated. This set was totally AJ’s kind of thing as she loves coffee but can’t handle too much caffeine – TrueStart kindly switched in the lightly caffeinated and Swiss Water decaf coffees for her. Practical, considered and great value.
RRP: £29.99
Buy: truestartcoffee.com
For the cook
Peugeot Valentine’s Edit – Mills & Ceramics
Known for their engineering excellence, Peugeot’s kitchenware is beautifully made and built to last. The Valentine’s edit includes candy-pink salt and pepper mills with adjustable grind settings, plus a striking heart-shaped ceramic baking dish. AJ was obsessed with the grind settings, which she thought were genius, and Clare loved the high quality, durable finish. A stylish and enduring gift for serious home cooks.
Prices:
- Heart-shaped ceramic dish (26cm): £32.99
- Candy pink salt or pepper mill: £29.99 each
For the indulgent foodie
Haut Dolci Pistachio Kunafa Chocolate Bar
This viral-inspired chocolate bar combines smooth chocolate with crunchy toasted kunafa and a rich pistachio filling. It’s indulgent, textural and undeniably luxurious. AJ enjoyed it’s gooey but crunchy texture which she wasn’t expecting at all. Clare appreciated the quality ingredients that really delivered on flavour. A modern Valentine’s treat that feels genuinely special.
RRP: £12
Buy: hautedolci.co.uk
For the classic romantic
Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates
From dessert-inspired selections to luxurious truffles, Lily O’Brien’s chocolates offer something for every traditional Valentine. Beautifully packaged and widely available, they’re perfect for easy gifting. Already a fan, Clare said that the dessert collection would jump straight into her basket. AJ wasn’t sure she could savour each mini-dessert just one at time! Reliable, elegant and always a crowd-pleaser.
Prices:
- Salted Caramel or Milk Chocolate Truffles: £6.25
- Desserts Collection: £9.50
- Luxury Collection: £12.50
Buy: Most major UK supermarkets and from their website: Lily O’Brien’s | Chocolate Gifts | Delivered Worldwide
For the handmade-with-love fan
Lottie Shaw’s Chocolate Caramel Hearts
These handmade caramel hearts are crafted in Yorkshire using recipes dating back to 1912. AJ appreciated the melt in your mouth handmade caramel, while Clare could imagine that one with a cup of tea would feel just perfect. Rich, buttery and beautifully boxed, they feel like a proper treat.
RRP: £9.95
Lottie Shaw’s “I Love You” Millionaire Shortbread
All-butter shortbread layered with gooey caramel and white chocolate, finished with a hand-piped message. AJ called it serious comfort food – like a grown-up Kendal mint cake – and Clare thought it would be a lovely thing to send if you can’t be with your Valentine. Letterbox-friendly and ideal for long-distance Valentines.
RRP: £12.95
Buy: lottieshaws.co.uk
For the sweet romantic
Hilton Macarons – Valentine’s Love Hearts Box
These joyful GIANT macarons (three times bigger than standard) are made to impress, each one printed with a love-note message like “Be Mine” or “True Love”. Handmade by Hilton Macarons and presented in a ribbon-tied gift box, they’re playful, indulgent and perfect for saying it with sugar. Inside you’ll find six classic flavours: Raspberry, Lemon, Salted Caramel, Chocolate, Hazelnut and Pistachio. A crowd-pleasing Valentine’s treat that looks as good as it tastes.
RRP: £20 (box of 6)
Delivery: 9–12 February
Optional extra: Handwritten gold-embossed gift card £1.50
For the nostalgic sweet-tooth
Love Hearts & Squashies Love Hearts
No Valentine’s guide is complete without these classics. Clare and AJ reminisced about how they read way too much into every message on each sweet and joked that it was how they communicated before mobile phones! Sweet, playful and endlessly nostalgic, they’re perfect for Galentine’s, party bags or a light-hearted gift.
RRP: £1.25
Buy: Nationwide retailers
