Valentine’s Day must be one of the worst nights of the year to eat in a restaurant. You’ll find that bookings are tricky to make, prices are artificially inflated and menus are packed with supposed aphrodisiacs like oysters and figs. Not only that, but many restaurants take the opportunity presented by Valentine’s Day to pack couples into the space they have like sardines – and there’s nothing romantic about sharing the restaurant with 50 other packed-in people.
No – if it’s an intimate and special Valentine’s Day that you’re after, then cooking at home is certainly the answer. You don’t have to cook anything complex or time-consuming – it’s the thought that counts – but your loved one is sure to appreciate the effort.
Why you should hire a celebrity chef
We’ve got plenty of celebrity chefs on the books here at MN2S, whether they’re cooking haute cuisine or diet-friendly food. We’ve picked five delicious sounding recipes from our celebrity chefs that will have your partner feeling very special indeed. And now we’ve done you this favour, remember that if you’re ever in the market to hire a celebrity chef, you know where to come!
Could a TV chef spice up your event?
Check out five of our favourite romantic recipes below:
Nigella Lawson’s Gingery Hot Duck Salad
Nigella says: “This recipe is a slight reworking of a Cambodian beef salad I often make; here the lime juice in the steeping mixture (which turns into the dressing) is supplemented with orange juice (Asian evocations of duck a l’orange and all that), but in season, around January, use instead of this combination the fragrantly acerbic juice of one Seville orange.”
We say: Simplicity is key on Valentine’s Day – you don’t want to spend more time in the kitchen than at the table. This simple salad recipe would make a perfect starter!
Gizzi Erskine’s molten caramel and chocolate puddings
Gizzi says: “It’s hot, it’s gooey, it’s salty, sweet and chocolatey, and it’s messy home cooking. I don’t think you’ve eaten this right unless it’s all over your face and you’re licking the dish.”
We say: Sold! Chocolate and caramel is a dessert that can’t fail – and this one is easy peasy.
Ed Baines’ Bouillabaisse with fresh shrimps and squid, chilli croutons and rouille
Ed says: “A luxurious fish stew that’s a twist on the classic bouillabaisse recipe with crunchy croûtons and a kick of chilli.”
We say: Seafood has long been thought of as an aphrodisiac and, although this delicious sounding fish stew is a little more time consuming than some of the recipes we’ve chosen, much of it can be prepared ahead of time, leaving you plenty of quality time to spend with your dining partner.
Gregg Wallace’s Leek and Potato Soup
Greg says: “Frugal and filling, leek and potato soup is a classic winter warmer. This one can be made in less than 30 minutes.”
We say: Soup is a great starter option when you’re entertaining – whether it’s a meal for two people of six. The big draw is that you can do everything ahead of time, reducing stress on the evening and letting you focus on being a great host.
Nadiya Hussain’s Lamb Bhuna with Garlic Naan
Nadiya says: “Much as I love a home-cooked curry, I needed a faster way of making them. So this is my speedy curry solution, with a sauce that gets blitzed in a food processor before being cooked.”
We say: Your food doesn’t have to be fancy to impress – it just has to be tasty. If you’re cooking for a spice lover, this tasty lamb bhuna is a great way to show off your skills.
You can hire a celebrity chef for all sorts of events – whether you’d like a cookery demonstration, a talk about their career or endorsement of a product. We have a great variety of celebrity chefs available to book through MN2S, so get in touch to find out more.
Christopher Biggins on Celebrity Masterchef
